The River Church Community

Months ago Rick Shertle, a River member in downtown’s Northside Neighborhood, made a chicken coop for his family.  His family enjoyed it so much (I guess) that they began to ask other families if they wanted one.  It so happens that he also asked me if the community garden could use a chicken coop as well.  This set me to thinking—how could a community garden which is meant to be a River connecting point in the community benefit from a chicken coop.  And then it hit me—people eat eggs.  Well, not really.  I knew people ate eggs.  I had eaten them myself multiple times (difficult to believe, I know).  

The Community Garden allows people who do not own property to grow their own fresh vegetables.  This is not only more cost effective but much healthier.  And eggs could certainly add to both the River’s connectedness and the well-being of the community.  With chickens we would have a way to both bless neighbors and initiate odd but natural conversations.  “Would you like some eggs from our chickens?” would be all it took…

And this is all is took Shelby, who lives in the home on which the garden is located.  She has handed out eggs to neighbors both known and unknown.  And eggs have been one of her connecting points.  Eggs like all veggies are an offering of food but also friendship.  They are a way for us to offer more than words.  We can offer a cucumber or an egg depending on the season and the hen’s productivity that day.  And this is important.  In a community dominated by fears of paying the rent and feeding one’s family, an egg can be the good news people are groping for.  It can be a small sign of hope is more difficult times.  

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization