Pastor comes from the Latin pascere which literally means one who puts to pasture, the ministry of HOPE CSA is fitting in its approach to link pastor and pasture, human and humus, soil and soul. (Jeff Hawkins)
A belated entry...
A week ago Monday I took a literal field trip -- to Hope CSA in North Manchester, Indiana. Thanks to Karla Kauffman and Kathy Fenton-Miller, we had a little community pilgrimage, complete with a picnic in a sunny cemetery along the country roads on the way.
Hope CSA to me was the perfect meeting of ecology and theology. Ken Hawkins, the owner and farmer of this family farm, is a pastor with pastures. As a retired Lutheran minister, he now sees his work as growing pastors while farming together. Three groups of pastors come for one day a month. They do farm work together, feeding chickens and bulls, tending crops and fences. Then they eat the good farm food. After a stretch of intentional silence, they reflect together on what they are experiencing and reading about the common ground of tending God's creation and God's creatures.
Ken was a generous host with his time, his wisdom, and his eggs -- a free dozen to those who wanted them. He also encouraged us to come try a day of work and reflection.
"Don't worry about paying," he said. "If you come once, I know you'll come back. It's like when people tell me my free range, organic chickens cost too much. I just give them one. After they taste it they are sure to come back for more!"
Kathy, Karla and I were especially intersted in the wood fired stove used to make pizza on Friday nights through the summer months. All the ingredients (well, maybe with the exception of olive oil) are local. Beginning with dough making on Wednesday, it is quite a production to build the pizzas, bake and serve them. But what a treat! We are hoping to return to try the margarita pizza (tomato, basil and cheese) or sausage pizza (with sausage from Hope CSA beef).
You can read more about Hope CSA at their website:
HOPE CSA -- Hands on pastoral education using clergy sustaining agriculture
http://www.hopecsa.org
J L Hawkins Family Farm
10373 N 300 E
N Manchester IN 46962
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