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We received a thank you card from the Oshkosh Kids Foundation for our donation made through our  Charity and Advocacy Team:

Dear Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community,

Thank you for supporting the Oshkosh Kids Foundation.  By working together, we are able to help Oshkosh children and families find stable housing and provide resources including bus passes, food and gas cards, and basic necessities.  A key to success this past year was welcoming 32 families to the Tiny House Village which provides safe housing for children and their families currently experiencing homelessness.  Your support is truly making an impact in our community.

Thank you for your generosity!

Kate Bahr Fuller

OKF Adjunct Board Member

Oshkosh Herald - August 11th (Page 10)

Sharing Worship Space with Caring Garden Grace

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, and Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community, are two local faith communities sharing worship space on the west side of Oshkosh at HWY 21 and Leonard Point Rd.

During the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, the two churches joined efforts in utilizing the lot owned by St. Paul’s, the host church.  They made plans for a garden that would supply local food pantries with fresh produce.

Prayers went up, a committee was formed, and meetings were held.  Ground was broken early in 2021 and a plot of earth, 30ft by 50ft was opened and expertly prepared by a member of St. Paul’s who is a lifelong farmer and gardener.

Seeds were sown and seedlings planted.  Sunshine, rain, and pollinators did what they do best and a bountiful harvest was realized.  Bonds between the two congregations, and likewise within the surrounding communities, were formed and strengthened.  The deer, rabbits, and Japanese Beetles sampled the beet and bean tops from time to time and seemed to approve of the endeavor.  The first year, over 400 Lbs of fresh produce was harvested and donated to area food pantries.

This year the plot was expanded to 30ft by 70ft.  Space was dedicated for wildflowers and sunflowers as an invitation and in gratitude to the many pollinators that make all of this possible.

When the harvest season begins in mid-July, the garden requires nearly daily attention.  To keep motivated, the gardeners recall a quote from a church member who is a leader within both of these communities: “Pastors and church councils are not the only ministries within a church.  Everyone has a ministry through which they can serve and improve the world.  A church garden is one of those ministries that just so happens to reach those who are in vital need, from the ground up.”

If you would like to visit the garden and/or the faith communities that provide it, please stop by any Sunday morning to be welcomed by either community.

To visit St. Paul’s worship service, please arrive at 9:30am.  To visit the garden only, arrive at 10:15am.  To visit Emmaus’ worship service, please arrive at 11:00am.  To visit the garden only, arrive at 12pm.

If you would like to volunteer your time (adults only please), donate equipment and/or funds to this ministry effort, please contact Tim via email at tgroganusa@yahoo.com to discuss your interest.