A Garden of Collaboration

October 6th, 2011

This summer the groups worked together to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs that they then donated to Table Grace Ministries, a non-profit that runs a restaurant in downtown Omaha on Farnam St.

Table Grace Café uses fresh, organic ingredients and operates without a set menu or fixed prices. Patrons are encouraged to pay according to their meals and what they are able to give. Those who can’t give monetarily are invited to volunteer in the café and help with a few of the chores and tasks that need to be completed that day.

The camp donated produce to the café last summer as well, but this was the first growing season they partnered with Ashland United Methodist Church and the Big Garden. American Lutheran Church members began working at the camp several years ago, but found new benefits in this partnership that crossed denominational lines.

“I’m amazed at how fruitful a ministerial alliance can be,” said the Rev. Lyn Seiser, the Big Garden rural director.

Carol Joy Holling Camp is owned and operated by Nebraska Lutheran Ministries, a serving arm of the Nebraska Synod ECLA. It’s located on 317 acres near Ashland and hosts nearly 1,600 campers each summer. These campers also dig in and help with the upkeep and management of the gardens.

Between their help and the work of the partnering churches, the Big Garden at Carol Joy Holling Camp is truly an example of a collaborative effort bearing fruit for an organization, a community and a group of people.

For more information about the Big Garden Rural, contact Lyn Seiser at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .