Some Fresh Expression

As membership of EarthAbbey begins to grow, we look forward to sharing the stories and projects of other members to inform, inspire and possibly even challenge. Here, Alan Mann talks to Nick Waterfield (a Fresh Expressions Community Worker based in Parson Cross, Sheffield) about his work and what motivates him.

AM: I was intrigued by your desire to develop a living and real “Green” theology - could you tell me more?

NW: Much of the Christian theology of the “industrial age” seems to simply accept humanity’s God-given “dominion” (Genesis 1.26) as an excuse to ravage and exploit the earth, rather than develop a sustainable, relationship with it. Too often, Christians in the industrial nations have been complicit in the separation most people have between their own actions and behaviour towards the planet and its populations, and the effects that has on the future prospects for all humanity.

For me, I want to develop ways of helping restore a genuine sense of humanity being intertwined in its relationship to God through the connection we have with the creation. God may promise a “new heaven” and a “new earth” (Revelation 21), but surely that does not mean we have permission to hasten the demise of this one!

I’m also very much aware, however, that a “Green” theology needs to avoid being seen as the preserve of a certain group within the church. It also needs to be grounded in the day to day reality of people’s lives, such as Parson Cross, where for many their immediate choices appear much more limited by economic realities.

AM: Why do you use growing projects to develop social/community cohesion?

NW: The Space to Grow project is only one of a number of initiatives we run in Parson Cross. We are also involved in developing a local chaplaincy in the new district centre around the library and shopping area, a food bank for individuals and families in crisis, a good neighbours project, and in building positive links with a variety of local community groups and organisations. The growing projects in particular are there to meet a number of specific needs in the local area . . .

They provide access to, and an enthusiasm for, fresh and healthy food. People in our community die around 10 years younger than in Sheffield Hallam (the constituency of Nick Clegg MP) due to the effects of poverty, which include poor diet. The “healthy eating” agenda is one which is readily supported by a wide range of voluntary and public service groups from the council to estate-based health services. Playing our part helps to demonstrate that the local church is ready to engage in the everyday issues that effect this community.

They transform the physical environment. The Parson Cross area is largely a pre-Second World War council housing development. It faces many of the issues of similar estates. Over the years the physical environment has been neglected and badly treated, with fly tipping allowed to accumulate in areas of green space, damage to play areas, and so on. A number of community environmental projects have recently looked to address some of these issues, including the council’s “Big Spring Clean” and “Greening the Cross” (tree planting project in 2010), as well as the development of two community allotment projects in the area.
They bring together people of all ages, and abilities. In our projects, there is no one who professes to be a “gardening guru”, we are all very much in this together, learning and journeying together.

AM: Could you tell me more about how you envision Space to Grow having a therapeutic benefit for people with learning difficulties and mental health issues?

NW: The use of gardening and horticulture in a therapeutic setting for people with learning disabilities is founded on successes elsewhere (see thrive.org.uk; and mvuf.org.uk)

My own interest has been sparked, fuelled and developed by being the foster parent of a 16 year old boy with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the realisation that there is very little available locally for someone like him to get involved in as he nears adulthood.

We are making links with specialist schools and colleges, as well as voluntary groups and local service providers, exploring exactly what shape this provision might look like in the future. Currently, we meet monthly to do some gardening, chatting and just being together. The sessions are open to families and carers. It’s still early days, but we hope this will develop as the group becomes better known.

The Space to Grow group fits within a wider ministry of healing and hospitality offered at The Cross at Yew Lane quiet garden, which was launched in April 2011. We are also developing a Sunday afternoon “Space to Grow – on the Allotments” for families with children, and on a Thursday at a local community allotment with sessions aimed more at adults with various support needs. Essentially we see ourselves as being in the business of transformation - “transforming lives, transforming places, transforming community”. Space to Grow offers some part in the process, and we pray it will continue to develop as we journey together.

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