In 2022, Trinity Episcopal Pro-Cathedral (844 West Fourth Street, Williamsport) made a commitment to step outside their church walls and seek more direct ways to empower its neighbors to thrive. The church built a community garden and began a pollinator program. Non-stinging bee houses were hung outside the church, and a honeybee hive was placed on the roof.
Religious communities have a long history of beekeeping. Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, lauded bees by saying, “The bee is more honored than other animals not because she labors, but because she labors for others.”
Last year a dedicated group of Trinity volunteers cared for the bees through the spring and summer. In the fall, they extracted and bottled nearly one hundred pounds of honey. “We believe that through education, advocacy, and civic engagement, we can have an impact on the greater Williamsport area. Keeping bees has been a great way to meet our neighbors and advocate for the environment,” said Sarah Reid, one of the keepers. Suzan McGary adds, “As Episcopalians, we see all of creation, not just people, but the earth and all of its inhabitants, as beloved by God, and it is part of our faith to think about and care for every component.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania has charged its member churches to rethink and reshape their faith in action. A large part of that initiative was to work together in new and different ways. Expanding the apiary was a logical choice. The Rev. Lauri Kerr, who is the West Branch Missioner, said, “As Christians, we are called to be stewards of creation. This includes plant life which helps remove pollution from the air and is our food. Bees greatly affect our environment in a positive way.”
Leaders from nearby Episcopal Churches united, seeking to form a larger apiary system. The beekeepers will mark Earth Day this year, Saturday, April 22, by installing two hives at the Church of the Good Shepherd, one at Trinity Jersey Shore along with a second hive on the roof of Trinity Episcopal Pro-Cathedral.
More experienced beekeepers are working with those with less experience, who will then educate and advocate for pollinators in their communities. The hives will be located on the church grounds or roofs of the facilities.
Once each new hive is established, the bees will collect pollen and nectar from trees and flowers within a six-mile radius of the churches. Each bee will visit about 1,500 flowers each day, pollinating as they go along. Insects pollinate seventy-five percent of all food consumed. Bee-pollinated crops include almonds, fruits, grains, and many vegetables. It is hoped that honey harvested from the hives will help support the apiary as it grows and other missions of the participating parishes.
The Apiary currently has about 15 volunteers who participate in various ways. Some enjoy hands-on work with the bees, while others participate in “bee-free” activities like honey extraction and equipment maintenance. Those seeking more information about creation care opportunities or sponsorship of the West Branch Apiary may contact the Trinity Episcopal Pro-Cathedral office at 570-322-0126. Anyone is welcome to participate in any way they feel comfortable.
