THIS IS THE SOUND OF SERVICE AT BLACKMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - A TYPE OF SERVICE THAT HAS MOVED BEYOND THE BUILDING.

MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH JUST OUTSIDE OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO FEED MORE THAN THE SOUL.

Rev. Gayle Watson / Pastor, Blackman United Methodist Church: “Just to realize that we don’t go to bed hungry every night, but an awful lot of people do and we can do something about it.”

Reather Arnold / Blackman United Methodist Church: “I call it more of a mission, a mission to do something to help someone.”

THEY’RE HOPING TO REAP WHAT THEY SOW AND SHARE WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY.

Ashley Brown / Blackman United Methodist Church: “Because some people may be old and can’t take care of themselves, and so they’ll have some stuff to eat.”

“That’s okra, and you kind of have to break the crust to get it to come up.”

Freddie Brown / Blackman United Methodist Church: “I think the garden has the potential of bringing all ages together because all ages can get in the dirt and work together. And it’s a lot of fun when you get out here with everybody together.”

THE CHURCH GARDEN ALSO HONORS A WAY OF LIFE THAT IS INCREASINGLY SHRINKING FROM AMERICA’S LANDSCAPE.

Freddie Brown: “We have, as farmers, backed away from farming and gone into other lines of work and such and our children will eventually, I’m afraid, not be aware how to farm and how to raise plain vegetables and I think it’s important that the church steps in.”

Rev. Gayle Watson: “It connects us to each other, it connects us to creation, and it’s just an awesome experience.”