Building a Community
of Radical Inclusion.
Events & Current Projects
Pollinator Garden Coming to St. Philip this Spring
John Hartig, February 16, 2021
-- 1 min readA sketch of St. Philip's future pollinator garden
When you're outside, you may not notice hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies carrying pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. But these hard-working animals help pollinate over 75 percent of the world's flowering plants, and nearly 75 percent of our crops.
Without pollinators, wildlife would have fewer nutritious berries and seeds to eat, and we would miss out on many fruits, vegetables, and nuts, like blueberries, squash, and almonds — not to mention chocolate, and coffee, all of which depend on pollinators.
As part of caring for creation, St. Philip and the Perennial Waters Project are creating a pollinator garden near the southeast corner of the church property this spring. St. Philip is partnering with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners in Fish and Wildlife School Yard Habitat Program. We first will be preparing the ground by removing sod, tilling the soil, and bringing in topsoil. Then, we will have a planting day to plant native grasses and wildflowers.
Following the creation of the pollinator garden, we will work with the St. Philip Preschool to create an interpretive panel that teaches the value and benefits of the pollinator garden and our responsibility to care for creation.
Future projects include a rain garden, bird houses, bird stopover habitat, and a trail circling the church. Each stop on the trail will be a teachable moment for our Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and preschool students.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved with planting, please contact John Hartig (johnhartig1@gmail.com) or Win Kurlfink (kurlfink@icloud.com or pwp.elca@gmail.com) .
PWP Events
February 8, 2021
PWP Distinguished Speaker Series
A presentation and forum with
Dan Robinson,
founder of
Great Lakes Spirituality Project
"Healing Waters: Growing a Spirituality of the Great Lakes"
Great Lakes Spirituality Project's Dan Robinson will join environmental scientist and Perennial Waters co-founder John Hartig to discuss God's beautiful creation and our call to steward it mindfully.July 23, 2020
Environmental
Justice
Forum
Southwest Detroit is one of the most polluted zip codes in Detroit, and things are about to get worse. You're invited to learn why and what we can do to change it.
Special guests include Thomasenia Johnson and Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang.
October 8, 2019
PWP Inaugural Event
Rouge50
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Rouge River Fire
Dr. John Hartig will deliver the keynote address entitled "Smoke on the Water: Five Decades Since the Infamous Rouge River Fire."
Rouge50 is a CELEBRATION of the amazing environmental restoration that has taken place in the last five decades.
A Conversation with Dr John Hartig.
Dr. John Hartig talks about his own journey of caring for the ecosystems he finds himself in.
Addiction, Transformation, and a Connection to the Great Lakes.
A Conversation with Win Kurlfink
Win Kurlfink is a therapist and co-founder of the Perennial Waters Project of St. Philip Church in Trenton, MI.
Healing Waters
Growing into a Spirituality of the Great Lakes
Dan Robinson of the Great Lakes Spirituality Project joins St. Philip's resident environmental scientist, Dr. John Hartig to discuss our Christian imperative to care for nature, especially our Great Lakes.