Monroe City Church and IHM Sisters Join Forces to Help Bees and Butterflies

MONROE — A Bible study led to a local wave of colorful zinnias, which are attracting endangered bees and monarch butterflies. This summer, Sister Anne Wisda’s heirloom pink, orange, purple and yellow zinnias are blooming all over Monroe, all because Monroe City Church has been studying the Psalms.

“There are so many flowers growing. It’s really exciting to see how they spread,” said Pastor Sarah Quint. She and her husband, Pastor Steve, lead Monroe City Church. Last summer, Quint noticed that nature was a theme in many of the Psalms in the Bible. She began a series called “Summer in the Psalms.” “I couldn’t help but notice how many references to nature and creation point us to God. I always feel God when I’m in my garden,” Quint said.

That inspired her to take the congregation to the Mall of Monroe, the meeting place of Monroe City Church. “We sat in a windowless building and talked about creation. It felt hypocritical. We want to be authentic, not just theoretical. We want to put it into practice,” Quint said. “People really got it. They invited us into their homes and public places.” About 15 of the congregation’s 200 attendees signed up for the creation tours. They went to flower gardens, Sterling State Park, a homesteader’s backyard and a horse farm. They talked to hunters and fishermen. “We did creation tours all summer. We learned what pointed people to God,” Quint said.

The final stop was the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse on Elm Avenue. Sister Anne took the group to the Motherhouse’s Organic Garden. Quint called the space “the cathedral of creation.” “It’s the grand entrance to their space. Man-man perfection just pales,” Quint said.

In the garden, Sister Anne grows vegetables for local food banks. She also has a monarch and bee station set up. “It’s mostly zinnias. They’re beautiful. She only grows them for the bees and the monarchs, the pollinators. They’re losing their habitats fast,” Quint said. “We prayed for the bees and the monarchs. Sister Anne was very sincere about it. Her heart was really for them. It was such a beautiful experience.”

Then Sister Anne offered her zinnia seeds to the church. “(In the fall) she had a huge bag. She collected hundreds of seeds in 50 individual packets,” Quint said.

Quint planted them in the church. “After two Sundays, there were no seeds left. Everyone wanted Sister Anne’s zinnias. She couldn’t have been happier. People were so excited to grow them. It’s going to be a great blessing for her and the bees,” Quint said. Since then, others have been inspired by Sister Anne.

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“Another lady in the congregation collected sow thistle seeds. All of us who have had success with our flowers and vegetables can save our seeds and share them in church this fall or winter,” Quint said. “It all started with Sister Anne’s example.” Monroe City Church is continuing its “Summer in the Psalms” and nature walks this summer. Services are Sundays at 10:30 a.m. “It’s not just about nature. It’s really about connection and storytelling,” Quint said.

Want to learn more about Monroe City Church? Visit their website or Facebook page.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at [email protected].

Planting Zinnias for Bees and Butterflies? Get Free Seeds

Previous news: Monroe County Library System offers free seeds

Two branches of the Monroe County Library System are offering free zinnia seeds. “The Bedford Branch Library has zinnia seeds available for patrons,” said Barbra Krueger, who works in community outreach for the library system. “The Dorsch Memorial Branch Library is currently restocking its zinnia seed inventory.”