The grounds of St. Columban’s were filled with sunshine, smiles and the sound of children playing as families, friends and members of the local community gathered for our very first St. Columban Summer Open Day!
Held on Wednesday 19th August, the event was an opportunity to welcome people into our grounds and share more about our history and mission priorities, including our commitment to protect and restore biodiversity.
Thankfully, the weather was kind to us, allowing us to spend the day outdoors. The gardens were full of life, with children running and playing, families exploring the grounds and visitors taking time to enjoy the natural environment around them.
The grounds at St. Columban’s have been undergoing a transformation through rewilding, creating spaces where plants, insects, birds and other wildlife can flourish. Opening these spaces to the community gave visitors an opportunity to see how caring for creation can become part of everyday life. From our new eco-path and solar panel installation to our beehives and insect hotel, ‘Hotel Columbug’, there was plenty for people to discover.
Everything ran smoothly and according to plan, thanks in no small part to our wonderful team of volunteers and co-workers. Their help, enthusiasm and welcoming approach made such a difference throughout the day. Visitors were able to move easily between the different activities, with volunteers on hand to offer directions, answer questions and encourage people to get involved.
Our craft stations were particularly popular, with children enthusiastically creating their own bug houses using recycled plastic milk bottles and foraged materials. Face painting by our Lay Missionary Nathalie was also a big hit, with many children delighted to leave with colourful designs on their faces.
The pond proved another major attraction. Children gathered around it throughout the day, eagerly taking part in pond-dipping sessions and discovering some of the small creatures living in the water. Their excitement and curiosity were a wonderful reminder of the importance of creating opportunities for children to encounter and appreciate the natural world.
Our two ‘Meet a Columban’ sessions were also well attended, giving visitors the chance to meet Columban missionaries, hear about their experiences and ask questions about our mission around the world. The bee talks delivered by local beekeeper Sheila attracted plenty of interest too, offering an insight into the important role pollinators play in supporting biodiversity.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was simply seeing the grounds so full of people! Children were able to run freely and enjoy being outdoors, while parents, grandparents and other visitors had the opportunity to picnic, chat and discover more about us and our work,” explains Operations and Office Administrator Louis Koekemoer, who co-managed the event.
He adds, “We were delighted by the positive feedback we received about the event. Visitors commented on the friendly atmosphere, the range of activities on offer and how welcoming everyone was!”
Through rewilding our grounds and creating spaces where nature can flourish, we, the Columbans in Britain, are seeking to live out our call to care for our common home. By inviting others to explore these spaces, we hope to inspire a greater appreciation for the diversity of life around us and encourage others to take simple steps to care for creation themselves.
This message is particularly fitting during the Season of Creation, when Christians around the world are invited to renew their relationship with God, one another and the whole of creation. This renewal can begin in our own gardens by making space for nature, noticing the life around us and taking practical steps to protect it.
“For our first Summer Open Day, we could not have asked for a better day!” explains Louis. “A huge thank you goes to everyone who came along and helped to make it such a success, especially our dedicated staff, co-workers and volunteers who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm!”
As we continue through the Season of Creation, may the joy we saw in our gardens over the summer encourage us all to cherish, protect and restore the precious gift of creation.
