It’s a tradition that we began when our children were small. Every spring, we stop by the garden store and select a few packets of zinnia seeds. We plant them in the yard, wait in amazement as colorful blooms appear, and watch for opportunities to use them in ministry. Just as another flower appears, a need seems to arise – a troubled neighbor, a single mom who needs encouragement, a friend in the hospital.
Diana DavisIt’s remarkable how a simple flower can provide a tangible reminder of God’s love. Why not use God’s lovely creation of flowers to minister in his name? Need fresh ideas?
? If your church displays Easter lilies, assign deacons or members to deliver one to each homebound member or nursing home resident on Easter afternoon.
? A church member with a flower garden may bring flowers for the foyer or ladies’ restroom counter.
? For a youth-sponsored garden party, members purchase and bring flats of flowers to church during the first week of spring, and teens plant colorful flower gardens.
? A choir can plant fall bulbs at a nursing home, then lead a springtime hymn-sing there when they bloom.
? Bring wildflowers, garden flowers and vines from your yard to enhance a church buffet dinner.
? Offer to plant flowers for elderly members or church neighbors.
? Present a bouquet of her favorite flower to the minister’s wife or church secretary on her church anniversary.
? Recycle altar flower arrangements by delivering them to nursing home members or dividing them into bouquets for hospital visits.
? A friend of mine creates potpourri from funeral flowers for the bereaved family.
? Each year when her gardenias bloom, a member at our church brings a tray full of blossoms, lovingly pinning one on every woman.
? For a long-term illness, deliver a vase with a few flowers, and assign different church members to bring additional flowers for the bouquet every few days.
Will you use flowers for ministry this spring? I once ordered rubber thumbs from a magician supply store and spray painted them green to use as a handout for a class on Christian growth. A green thumb is not required, however, to use flowers in ministry. Even a brown-thumbed gardener like me can grow zinnias. And if all else fails, the local florist is nearby.
These “Fresh Ideas” are from Davis’ book, “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” (B&H Publishing 2008), www.keeponshining.com.