Over 50 people participated in a unique opportunity to experience nature. We hosted a bee blessing and honey harvest at the Church Manse in the new Peace and Love Garden where the bees are happily residing and busy making honey. Reverend Pete blessed the bees and then attendees assisted experienced local bee keepers with the harvesting of the honey. Each family took home some of the honey to enjoy. There was so much excitement and there was hardly any honey left over!
Bee Blessing and Honey Harvest
First Pres Bee Blessing & Honey Harvest
A Bee Blessing and Honey Harvest was held on July 8 at the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford Manse, where Northeast NJ Beekeeper Jaimie Winters keeps her apiary in what is called the Peace and Love Garden. The Sunday school students plant and maintain the garden that bears tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries, peppers, cucumbers, sunflowers and herbs. Every July, church members and the community at large are invited to the blessing and to help with the early harvest, which has become a community-wide tradition.
After the blessing by Reverend Pete Wilkinson, the community gets to work uncapping and spinning the honey, resting in between for a picnic of deviled eggs, cucumber sandwiches, fruit salad, bee cupcakes and lemonade. Kids head to the craft table to color in bee coloring books and make Tie-Dye t-shirts, or hang out at the bee station table with the observation hive learning about bees.
Northeast NJ Beekeeper members helped with this year's harvest. Attendees got a treat this year, as John Gaut, a master beekeeper, went into the hives and did a demonstration including a mite wash. They learned that the veroa mite is the bee's biggest threat. Gaut also passed around a frame of brood in which a baby bee was emerging.
After a long day of spinning, about 50 attendees got to take home the fruits of their labor -- a half-pound bear of Blessed Bee honey.
To receive information on our Adult Education programs and schedule on your mobile device text
FPCORADULTED to 24587
You can expect to receive an average of 1 to 2 texts a month. Standard text messaging fees may apply based on your current cellular plan.
To receive information on our Interfaith Education programs and schedule on your mobile device text
FPCORINTERFAITH to 24587
You can expect to receive an average of 1 to 2 texts a month. Standard text messaging fees may apply based on your current cellular plan.
Adult Education
We strive to offer a well-rounded and diverse Adult Education program at First Presbyterian.
Use the menu above or the links below to learn more about what we do and review our upcoming and past events and offerings in the areas of:
Interfaith Education
Experiencing God through Art and Nature
If you have questions or suggestions for future events and offerings contact us here.
One does not need to be a member of the Church to participate. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
To receive information on our Adult Education programs and schedule on your mobile device text
FPCORADULTED to 24587