Dear Presbytery of Chicago Friends,
I write with deep thanks for the very generous offering of $633.02, collected at the September Assembly meeting to help Grace Seeds Ministry and our Share the Harvest Project continue to grow! Your support is greatly appreciated as we begin our 20th year of cultivating a network of partners committed to working together for food justice and creation justice.
Seed packets from last year – with bush bean seeds escaped from their packet! Your offering has purchased MANY more seed packets than are shown here — and a much greater variety!
Last year, our network of some 40 Share the Harvest Growing Partners grew an amazing abundance and variety of fresh vegetables and herbs. Our partners answered cruel cuts to SNAP and WIC with a resounding commitment to dig deep and grow with love and persistence. Our Share the Harvest Food Pantry Partners found ways to distribute what we grew — even as many of our immigrant neighbors were so traumatized by ICE/Border Patrol actions that they were afraid to leave their homes.
As we give thanks for what God has done in 2025 — and begin this new year — all of the above challenges continue and more are coming. The Greater Chicago Food Depository has estimated that, in Illinois, at least 450,000 SNAP recipients might lose their benefits on May 1. As Affordable Care Act subsidies disappear, impossible choices will become even more impossible for so many more of our neighbors. Food or rent? Utilities or medication?
And yet…in the midst of these challenging days, I write this letter of thanks with hope and trust that God’s love, grace and justice is stronger than hate and cruelty. Surely, God’s abundance and hospitality will fill tables with fresh, healthy food from our growers in 2026! Surely, God’s love will be shown through our food pantry partners, who connect what we grow to neighbors who don’t know where their next healthy meal will come from. Surely God’s justice will be furthered — as we connect with new partners and celebrate harvests that honor the diversity of cultures in our neighborhoods. Surely God’s table will be extended as we dig deeper and reach further — following the lead of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of a new year.
Earlier spring season at one of our Share the Harvest Growing Partner locations — on a day when we planted.
Your offering will help make this happen! We have used your gift to order the seeds we need for 2026! On order are varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, hot and sweet peppers, eggplant, bush and pole beans. Plus greens —chard, kale and collards — and cabbage and lettuce, too. Herbs: basil, dill, parsley, oregano, rosemary, cilantro and more. These seeds you’ve provided will be grown into seedlings, then delivered to and planted at our partner farms and gardens throughout Chicagoland. Abundance will follow — thanks to your gift!
I close this letter with these strong words from pastor/poet Jan Richardson, “And The Table Will Be Wide” (The Painted Prayerbook; https://www.janrichardson.com)
And the table
will be wide.
And the welcome
will be wide.
And the arms
will open wide
to gather us in.
And our hearts
will open wide
to receive.And we will come
as children who trust
there is enough.
And we will come
unhindered and free.
And our aching
will be met
with bread.
And our sorrow
will be met
with wine.And we will open our hands
to the feast
without shame.
And we will turn
toward each other
without fear.
And we will give up
our appetite
for despair.
And we will taste
and know
of delight.And we will become bread
for a hungering world.
And we will become drink
for those who thirst.
And the blessed
will become the blessing.
And everywhere
will be the feast.
Thank you for helping Grace Seeds Ministry widen the table and welcome all our neighbors! Thank you for the gift of your offering!
Grace, Peace, and Gratitude!
Rev. Linda Wygant
Board President, Grace Seeds Ministry
What the seedlings look like on the day we receive our annual truckload of plants from our grower.
