Rev. Crystal Paul-Watson and her mother Lavanda Paul are commissioned Earthkeepers in the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. They believe in the importance of teaching the younger generations how to cultivate organic heirloom seeds. The Harmony Creation Curriculum is a tool that can be used in young adult ministries and youth groups as well as amongst parents who want to share the gift of gardening with their children and grandchildren. The curriculum interweaves gardening stories and strategies with Biblical narratives about Creation, stewardship, and multiculturalism. The goal is to empower families and communities to enjoy the fellowship and fruitfulness of gardening while caring for the earth and those we share it with.
Lavanda Paul is the mother of ten adult children and grandmother of 22 grandchildren. She is the cofounder of Faithlock Ministries, which she founded with her husband Charles Paul Sr. Born and raised on a farm in Lismon, Alabama, Lavanda tells the stories of her experience growing all sorts of vegetables on the family farm in her youth. She continues to farm in her garden in Mobile, Alabama and shares her knowledge as a master gardener in the Harmony Curriculum.
Crystal Paul-Watson serves as clergy in two United Methodist Churches in the Hudson Valley area of New York. She is married to Rev. Derrick Watson and was inspired to create this curriculum for her 12 year old daughter Zyanna Rain and the youth groups in the churches she serves. Crystal received her Masters of Divinity from Drew University, a second Masters in English from Cortland State University and a third Masters in Educational Leadership from SUNY New Paltz. Through the Harmony curriculum, she wants to inspire diverse populations of people in agriculture, multiculturalism, and creation care.
Both mother daughter duo Lavanda and Crystal hope to empower families, young adults, and community organizations with this Harmony Creation Care Curriculum.