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Stewardship means many things, but for me, it begins with gratitude for the countless blessings God has bestowed upon us. Among the most beautiful of these gifts are the flowers and plants that delight, shade, and nourish us.
Over 25 years of service on flower guilds at two churches has taught me that arranging Sunday flowers is a uniquely rewarding form of stewardship. As a gardener who has never met a flower she didn't like, I find joy in combining colors and textures into pretty arrangements. I especially love incorporating flowers from my own garden—a small way of returning to God a piece of what God has given me.
I enjoy working in the quiet sanctuary on Saturday mornings and use it as a time of prayer and meditation as I’m arranging. I pray over the flowers, asking God to bless the arrangements to God's glory (I need all the help I can get!), and I spend time praying for the individuals to whom that week’s flowers are dedicated.
Being on the Flower Guild has also been a good way to meet new friends who share a love of flowers. We have such a wonderful group of women serving on the guild, each with her own unique style and creativity. I love walking into the church on Sunday mornings to see what flowers will greet us that week.
So much vital work happens here at ODEC, much of it far more critical than flowers. However, helping to make our church and Great Hall welcoming on Sunday mornings matters for both our long-time members and our first-time visitors, and the flowers are a reminder of all the beauty that surrounds us here at Old Donation.
~Marianne Littel
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