Wilton Congregational Church honors the growing season in many ways: new friendships and community, acts of mission and service, exploring musical talents, and worship experiences that help grow individual relationships with God. Among the loveliest ways of celebrating the summer months are the church’s activities to steward the beauty of local flowers and landscaping.
Each Sunday morning’s 9:30 a.m. worship service is graced by two floral bouquets at the front of the sanctuary, arranged by — and often grown by — the church’s Flower Committee. After worship, the flowers serve a second purpose, as church volunteers deliver them to church members who may be ill or grieving or may be celebrating a happy event.
In the summer months, there’s an additional opportunity to enjoy nature’s bounty at the Sunday morning service, as churchgoers are invited to bring any flowers from their own home gardens and add them to a “community vase” near the altar. Completely reliant on the chance and choice of random flower contributions, the vase becomes a riot of color and shape, adding to the joy of the worship service.
Beautiful blooms are perhaps the most noticeable instance of Wilton Congregational Church’s commitment to God’s green earth. In addition, various trees on the church property were memorial gifts to honor the lives of loved ones. Around town, Wilton Congregational Church adds to local natural beauty by landscaping the Adopt-a-Spot in front of Sharp Hill Cemetery. The church also cares for the native sugar maple tree grove at the Wilton Playshop property and the trees and plantings at Hillside Cemetery.
Hillside Cemetery, owned and operated by the Wilton Congregational Church, is a stop on the state-designated Pollinator Pathway. This initiative started in 2017 to create landing spots that provide native plant habitat and nutrition for pollinator insects and birds. Volunteers and Scouts sow new pollinator plants each year. Hillside is currently applying for Arboretum accreditation through the ArbNet organization. Over 160 trees and shrubs have been tagged and identified. Hillside also lovingly maintains the beautiful Never Forget Garden dedicated to soldiers of all wars. This garden was professionally designed and installed by Wilton Garden Club members in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Wilton Congregational Church and Hillside Cemetery are also stops on Wilton’s Golden Miles, a daffodil trail planted by the Wilton Garden Club.
Showing determination to keep the earth’s fullness intact, the church has earned a Green Church Certificate from the denomination’s governing organization, recognizing the church’s commitment to the environment. And Wilton Go Green has named Wilton Congregational Church as a Platinum Certified green business, demonstrating sustainable business practices.
Church members have the opportunity to volunteer for many different projects that match their skills and talents – and Wilton Congregational is always welcoming to those with a green thumb. To learn more, contact the church office at 203.762.5591 or via email.
