Green thumbed kids bring colour to Sunderland Millfield church

Green-thumbed youngsters have been digging deep to bring colour and life to the outside of their local Salvation Army church in Sunderland. 

Vegetables and flowers have been planted in the car park and hanging baskets now decorate the entrances to make Sunderland Millfield Salvation Army look more welcoming. 

The overhaul of the front of the building in Rutland Street is being led by children aged three to seven from the church and charity’s Sunday primary group, alongside volunteers Sandra and Doreen. 

The project is also teaching children about the need to ‘care for creation’ which is one of The Salvation Army’s core values. 

Sandra said: “The idea behind it was to encourage the youngsters to become aware of the environment and wildlife, as well as to soften the look of the outside of the building.  

“They are putting in the spade work, each Sunday we give them watering cans and off they go. The other week they were handling the slugs to move them somewhere safe, which one little boy really loved!

“The children love it and it’s been a real education for them. We’ve talked about how potatoes are grown and that we’ll harvest them in September. We’ve also been looking at creation stories, how God created the land and the flowers and the plants. 

“Church members have given us such positive feedback and have been very kind in giving us donations so we can buy plants, or have donated items we can use.” 

Captains Jon and Caron Doyle, who lead Sunderland Millfield, have been fully behind the project as they work towards having the building officially accredited as an eco-church. 

Captain Caron said: “It’s lovely to see this being led by the young members of our church. Quite often when we dedicate children into The Salvation Army, we will read scripture which says, ‘Blessed are the children for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as them’. For the youngsters that come to us on a Sunday, it’s not about sitting at the back of the room when the adults are listening, it’s about being part of the Kingdom and caring for creation. They are active members of a church now building a wonderful garden.

“People have noticed and are getting excited about it. Rather than having a grey dull outdoor space which is just very functional we have something that is to be enjoyed and celebrated by all.” 

It is also already encouraging new people to come through the doors of Sunderland Millfield Salvation Army. 

Caron added: “Several weeks ago we had a lady come in off the street because the flowers had caught her eye. I had a conversation with her and as a result she has started bringing her family to Sunday worship and to the toddler group.” 

The garden continues to grow, starting with potatoes, they have sweet peas, sunflowers, clematis, and trellises are being put in for climbing plants. It has inspired the church to think about what they can do beyond the limits of their space. 

Captain Jon said: “We’re now looking at becoming an eco church (part of a learning community dedicated to helping churches go green) and receiving our bronze accreditation. We’re limited on space as we don’t have a garden here, but we’re looking at what else we can do to build on what the children have started. This could be giving out seeds for people to plant at home or crafting projects for our Messy Church so they can make bug hotels. 

“What was a desolate area is suddenly full of invertebrate and bird life, and what's really wonderful is that it is now a usable space. For Pentecost, Caroline, who oversees our programmes for young people, arranged a firepit so the Sunday school could tell stories and toast marshmallows. 

“It’s those small steps that lead us to what might be next. It might be that somebody sees something here and thinks ‘I could do that at home’. We say on a Sunday, what we do here shouldn't just be within these four walls, it should go with us.”

Sunderland Millfield Salvation Army runs a weekly programme of activities. You can find out more or donate to their work here