Noonday Notes

Issue No. 31

January 23rd, 2026

It’s that time of year again, when Texas FEMA (HEB) is well stocked and we all freak out. Somewhere between today and late February winter comes to town and reminds us who’s in charge. This weekend’s freeze is our reminder.

The farm will be fine. We will put row cover on some crops, we harvested heavy yesterday, and then we trust in the resilience of crops like garlic, kale, and carrots to hold steady. This is farming (and life): paying attention, preparing together, and responding with care.

The cold also has a way of widening our vision beyond the farm. Moments like this call us back to one another. To check on neighbors. To notice who might need help. To remember that resilience isn’t something we build alone; it’s something we practice together.

This week I have been thinking about kindness. How it shows up in preparation, sharing resources, and providing care when conditions feel uncertain. Ephesians 4:32 calls us to this.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

If you read on in the Mission Notes, you’ll see why that particular scripture and kindness have been on my heart this week and how they are connected to the work unfolding.

I also keep thinking about regeneration, not just as the latest farming buzzword, but in its truest sense. Genesis. Beginnings. The work of generating life again and again. We’re standing at the beginning of a new season right now: two active farm sites, new Kids Ministry beds, our next farm site starting next weekend (sign up here to join us), and new relationships taking root. What we’re growing isn’t just food; it’s a network of care.

Dr. King often spoke about the “beloved community”, a world shaped by justice, solidarity, and neighborly love. That vision wasn’t abstract. It was practical. It was embodied. It looked like people choosing to be there for each other, again and again.

As we prepare for the freeze, may we practice kindness toward one another. Check on someone. Share what you have. Start the garden. Join the work. The Kingdom is here. And we build it together.

Read the rest of the newsletter https://mailchi.mp/fae9421b1ed3/building-a-beloved-communityhttps://mailchi.mp/fae9421b1ed3/building-a-beloved-community.