Human Flower Project
Gracing the 4th
Parishioners of Grace United Methodist Church offered free plants at Little Stacy Park in Austin, Texas, to celebrate Independence Day with neighbors. Sharon Howley (at left) grew up in the Travis Heights neighborhood and has attended Grace Methodist since childhood. Saturday, she, Michael Rowley and other church volunteers offered pots of kalanchoe, impatience, begonias, and aloe vera to all passers by. “This is a great place to watch the end of the parade,” said Sharon.
Like many mainline Protestant denominations, Grace Methodist has seen its membership decline, “to about 50 active members,” Howell said. The congregation must be blessed with green thumbs since most of the free plants Saturday were passalongs. Sharon said this was the eighth year “at least!” of the plant giveaway.
Sharon Howell and Michael Rowley gave away plants in Little Stacy Park to celebrate July 4th and introduce neighbors to their nearby Grace Methodist Church in Austin, Texas. Right next to the church is “Aunt Catherine’s Garden,” tended by parishioners and enjoyed by everyone in the Travis Heights neighborhood. The garden is named for Sharon’s Aunt Catherine Caldwell Fowler, a longtime parishioner.
Photo: Human Flower Project