Good Growth Garden Project (Peacemaking & Justice Entry)
Westview was the first church I visited after moving to the Monterey area last fall. As a yonsei Japanese American of mixed descent, I was drawn to the church because of its history, but when I saw HOPE Village under construction, I grew more interested in Westview’s future.
In January, I joined the Presbytery of San José as the Peacemaking and Justice Advocate and connected with Pastor Dan. While showing me around the church, he opened a door in the kitchen that led to an area once used for barbecuing teriyaki chicken. One cinderblock barbecue remained, but the space had been taken over by weeds and a massive aloe. Pastor Dan shared his dream for this space— that it would become a community garden where food could be grown by, with, and for HOPE Village residents, the church, and the neighborhood. The fresh produce could be prepared into healthy meals in the church’s commercial-grade kitchen. The only thing missing was someone to lead the project. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?…” And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
Was it a coincidence that my passion is the intersection of sustainability and spirituality? God’s answers prayers. I received my Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary with a certificate in Theology, Ecology, and Spiritual Formation in 2024. During my years at Princeton, I also worked at the seminary’s farm, “The Farminary,” overseeing the compost program. At seminary, I discerned a calling to the ministry of cultivating sustainable communities. Sustainability and community begin in the soil. Pastor Dan invited me to join a new community with the soil behind the church, and with HOPE Village residents, Westview members, friends, and locals interested in organic gardening.
Thus, the Good Growth Garden project began! There was immediate excitement with HOPE Village. HOPE neighbor Roy showed up ready to start working, so we did. Roy and his friend José cleared out all the weeds in one day. The next week, HOPE neighbor Pablo showed up with a rototiller, and he and Allen broke up the weed roots in the ground, reduced the gargantuan aloe, and loaded up the yard waste. Local friend Don Yoshimura brought us over a big truck and had assistants haul it to the dump. A Community Action Board staff member donated tomato plants, a friend of a friend of a friend offered manure. Everyone I have talked to about this project is sincerely supportive. The Spirit is giving life to our garden.
Growing organic food locally and caring for the soil is healing and restorative for all, and it is a way for us to live out our faith in action. All are welcome to help out with The Good Growth Garden, in whatever way you feel God calling you to participate.
– Veronica Ota, Peacemaking & Justice Advocate