I Spy at St Sampson's 

We are called to be stewards of God’s creation and in return we find God’s peace and healing balm in nature.  It is for many a very real opportunity to connect with God, prayerfully and reflectively.  We are surrounded by farmland and countryside, many of us are gardeners, farmers or small holders and have strong links to the natural world, doing our bit to be good stewards on the land we manage or visit.  Being a good steward encompasses many things and isn’t always easy as we navigate human, animal, and habitat needs.  Anything which brings us closer to God through nature, helps us understand better the creative nature of God and God’s wonderful works.
At St Sampson’s Church, part of our care for God’s creation is shown in the way we manage our churchyard and all that is in it.  We are an Eco Church and try to reflect this in all we do.  This year we will continue with the grass cutting regime to leave areas of uncut grass during the summer months, and only cut back in the autumn.  The areas near the recent graves and the path however, will continue to be cut throughout.   Since we have been using this system, more wonderful wildflowers have appeared.  First the snowdrops and primroses  appearing and then bluebells, later oxe eye daisies.  I’m sure there is more, maybe something rare! We ask that to help with our care of the churchyard, plastic items are not put on the graves.
St Sampson’s living churchyard, God’s green acre, is home to many creatures and plants and we want you to discover them.   Spend a quiet hour by yourself, or bring the family and search out who or what lives here.
In the church porch is a box with a folder to record your finds; insects, flowers, lichens, trees, birds, perhaps a slow worm, mammals (neighbouring dogs don’t count!). There are some books to help you identify species, or use an app. Seek is a good one.   Make a note of your discovery or draw a picture; take a photo and put it on our new Facebook group. www.facebook.com/groups/stsampsonslivingchurchyard
Do you fancy growing UK wild flowers?
We are offering one metre plots (you can have more than one) to grow and tend yourself.   St Sampson’s will provide the flower seed, if you provide the elbow grease and TLC!
Need somewhere to sit?  It would be wonderful to have an extra bench or two, perhaps you might like to sponsor a seat in the churchyard in memory of a loved one.
We already have bat boxes in the trees, but bird boxes would be good too.  If bird box making is your thing and you would like to make some, we would be happy to put them up.
We have some events coming up which especially have an eco focus.
Wassail   - Sunday 26th February at 10am at South Hill Community Orchard, Golberdon.  Lots of Joy and jollity as we bless the apple trees.  Be prepared for all things apple!
Earth hour – Saturday 25th March  at 8.30 pm.  Turn off the lights for an hour and spend time at St Sampson’s.  We are hoping to do a bit of star gazing.  There may be hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting! Watch this space.
Sunday with a Difference (SWD) at St Sampson’s Church
March 26^th 10am.  All things Eco.
April 23^rd 10am. Forest Café Church
May 7^th 11.15am Creation Care, Canon Ellie Sheard will be the guest preacher
If you have any ideas of how to make a great undisturbed space even better, or ideas about events  and activities that could be done, or want to get involved in any way contact stsampsonssouthhill@gmail.com