Plant a Seed
This is a new program just getting started in our church. It was an idea that originated at Prince of Prince Lutheran Church in LaCrescent, Minnesota. Our daughter is a member there and I saw some of their projects when we attended services last summer. We used their idea with some modifications. They gave us permission to use their "Plant a Seed" clip art.*  I made a seed packet by using an ordinary vegetable seed packet as a pattern. There are ten mission "seeds" (10 dimes) in each packet that is given to anyone who wants to participate in this project. The 10 dimes represents the parable of the 10 talents. It is probably not appropriate but I thought it would add a little more interest.

Participants may do any project they desire to raise money. We had a bake and craft sale, are selling crocheted items, wood crafts and have a silent auction going on at the present time for a hand knitted baby sweater outfit. Our church organist is donating one month's salary. This past weekend we had an all-church rummage sale that netted $530 which I was ecstatic about. I had hoped for $200 but the generosity of the people donating items made a very successful sale. We had a "name your own price" sale for the items whereby purchasers paid what they thought the items were worth. We came out a little short on some and over on others but overall I think we made more than if we would have priced each item. We also saved a lot of time and work! We did price a few items that were quite valuable but otherwise we just took what they offered. We also had donations from people other than our church members so we were appreciative of that . Others projects that are coming up or being talked about are more silent auctions for a quilt and stuffed animals, growing garden produce, Sunday School kids selling lemonade or ice cream cones in the summer (their mission is Project Christmas Child to help fill shoe boxes with Christmas gifts for needy children) and others.  Participants may choose the mission that they want their "harvest" to benefit. We had chosen Heifer Project for our rummage sale. Five hundred dollars is needed to purchase a heifer and we exceeded that.  I am enclosing a seed packet and also the offering envelope we used. We used green paper for the symbolism of "growth."
Pastor and I talked about having a special celebration service to acknowledge our "Plant a Seed" activities which we plan to have some time in October. Our goal is $750 but we hope to exceed that. One thousand dollars would be nice!  A few of us presented this idea to the Mission Committee and they recommended it to the Church Council which they approved. I hope this is something that will continue year after year. I have an idea for next year's Easter season so hope it works out. It is rather an exciting endeavor for me. I hope it does become exciting for others, too. We, as Christians, are here to carry out God's mission and this is another way we can do it.    * We also contacted Prince of Prince Lutheran Church in LaCrescent, Minnesota to get permission to share their clip art and idea with you. - Resource Center Staff