June 2007
a monthly e-news publication

Did You Know?

We’ve been enjoying “wild edibles” on the lunch table all spring. Did you know that you can eat the washed petals of wild or organically grown violets, wood sorrel (pictured), day lilies, roses and many other plants, tossed fresh into green salads or simply by themselves? Give it a try--just be sure you are certain you've got the right plant!

Our e-newsletter’s main purpose is to share our life at the farm and beyond. But this month we are making a special appeal through e-news. Two natural phenomena have affected Koinonia in the past few months: a late freeze, and no rain during the months of April and May. Thankfully, our most productive pecan orchard was spared the freeze, but one or more of the other orchards lost 50% of their crops as a result. As for the drought, as long as our irrigation system holds, we hope to be able to preserve the rest of our pecans. However, between the freeze and the drought, we estimate we have lost 2/3 of our blueberry crop. Koinonia lives on a very tight budget. The loss of any crop impacts us. Our fiscal year ends on June 30. Koinonia has been blessed by many people for many years. We are grateful for your past gifts and especially grateful for any additional support you may be able to give by June 30. Thank you for your support and your prayers. To make a donation, please visit our donation page for more information.

This month’s featured community member is Jo Knox. A former journalist and civil rights activist, Jo has lived at Koinonia for 2 years. Her energy to reach out to neighbors in friendship and fun is perhaps only matched by her love of the children at Koinonia—she is teaching Nature Art classes at the youth camp this summer. Jo’s big news is her Koinonia sign-painting business debut this month! “When I’m painting, I’m totally focused on what I do. It’s a most glorious feeling—a form of meditation,” she said, smiling. She just completed her first job for Cooper’s Cut Flowers, and is ready for more. If you know anyone locally who would like some of Jo’s lovely sign-painting or mural work, drop us a line!

Reaching Out

The Summer Youth Camp is gearing up! The events kicked off with an “After-School Bash” on May 26, to which all the families and children in Koinonia Village and Forest Park were invited. The camp is in full swing from June 4-29, and events planned include Vacation Bible School, nature art class, musical guests, a week of conflict resolution education, lunch every day, and the ever-popular “Splash Day.” The adults have promised at least one sleepover (“sleep” may not be the most accurate word to use…), and we are looking forward to welcoming the groups of folks—from as far away as Illinois—who will be shepherding each week of the camp. Get ready for fun!

The newly formed Peace Action Team (slogan: “ROTC—Reaching Others Through Counter-recruitment”) sends an update: “We are a group of concerned Christians seeking to educate the public, especially students, parents and school personnel, about the growing militarization of our schools. We provide information and perspectives to balance the presence of military recruiters on our school campuses. We advocate for a society that is truly secure through principles of cooperation, conflict resolution, and nonviolent direct action.” The group, made up of Koinonians, Sumter County community members, and students, is working on establishing a presence at summer schools and churches, and planning events for the fall school year.

The Circle of Friends brought the elders to the annual Senior Citizens Picnic in the backyard of the Middle Flint Council on Aging. This year’s picnic had a cowboy theme, and of course the Circle folks dressed for the occasion. Lots of “boot-scootin’” seniors were spotted dancing joyfully, almost everyone won something in a variety of games, and all had the chance to hobnob with hundreds of other local seniors. All this joy makes us younger folks eager to qualify as elders!

At the Farm

On May 19, our renewed chapel was beautifully blessed by a full house of Koinonia family and friends. The space resounded with amazing singing by Alesia Sanders, Donnie McDonald, Norris Harris, Kathleen Monts, and Emma Sue Sims; Mennonite bluegrass tunes; many thank-yous and shared memories; and blessings by friends of many denominations, as well as by the entire extended family. We can’t wait for Betty and Owen Miller, whose dream this renewal was, to visit the space. We blessed the building, and more importantly acknowledged that it is the people who enter it who truly are the church, called to live as God’s hands and feet on earth.

This has been another busy month for our hospitality ministry, with 64 overnight visitors, 166 people receiving tours, and 67 extra lunches served… so far! This includes zestful youth from the University of Portland, Oregon and from Hendrix College in Arkansas; youth groups from A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) churches of the Oglethorpe Circuit in southwest Georgia; Ann Trousdale, who is writing a children’s book based on the life of Clarence Jordan; and a very special trio of folks from the Church of the Servant King, which is a 28-year-old Christian community in Eugene, Oregon—they brought us so much love, caring and sharing. Pictured, a tour group from Georgia College and State University, with tour guide Ann and wagon driver Kurt from Koinonia. We treasure all the relationships that are born in this sacred place—may they kindle the spirit of God’s love among us all.

A great big thank you to the Boy Scouts of Troop 260 in Americus! The young men have put a lot of time and energy into service projects improving our mile-long Peace Trail. Brandon Moore earned his Eagle Scout by constructing a picnic table and swing, and Desmond Harris (pictured; photo by scoutmaster Pat Bonz) also earned his Eagle Scout—note the comfy recycled-pecan shell pathway and railroad tie borders. Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, Shiver Lumber Company, Simeon Wakefield of the CSX Railroad, and Tuggle Lumber for donations to these projects, and to Koinonians Jim Marble, Jo Knox and Dave Castle for additional work on the trail. The Peace Trail wends its way through the Koinonia woods, past a retreat shack, a meditation gazebo, the site of the first summer youth camp (during the 1940s!) and a handful of “altars” honoring renowned peacemakers.