Garden Sanctuary & Memorial Garden

The Garden Sanctuary and Memorial Garden is complete and the Dedication was held on September 15, 2019.

A UNIFIED VISION AND PROJECT  

With the artful expertise of landscape architect, Jennifer Germain, we developed a vision for ministry on our campus’ western side. The master plan she helped create gives us an integrated design that flows between each of the “Garden Sanctuary’s” features, and maximizes the ministry that will happen in each space.
FELLOWSHIP PATIO
This wonderful space, just outside the Fellowship Hall, will be an inviting, open and comfortable place to eat, visit, view the landscape, and find connection with others and nature. The wood-fired bread oven is adjacent to the Patio which makes it easier to use and all can enjoy. Surrounding the Patio will be shrubs and perennial plants.

OUTDOOR WORSHIP AREA
In close proximity to the Fellowship Patio will be a large level grassy area that can be utilized for all kinds of activities ranging from outdoor worship, concerts, fellowship space, to games and activities. The Patio, being so close, will provide the hard surface required for those who are handicapped, etc. during events and worship.

MEMORIAL GARDEN - SEE MORE HERE!
The Memorial Garden gives us an opportunity to minister to the whole region’s population at a time of grief with an environmentally responsible, economical, and compassionate on-going relationship. Cremains can be either placed directly into the earth in the “formal gardens” or scattered in our restored “prairie” section of the garden just west of the memorial wall. The memorial wall is designed to be a stone wall topped with granite where names will be inscribed. Entering the garden, one will discover a bubbling rock water feature, recalling our baptism and promise of life eternal in Christ.

This is an historic ministry of the church, dating back to the early church and beyond into our Hebrew spiritual ancestors’ practices.  
Following a Memorial Service the congregation will process into the garden for the conclusion of the liturgy with the interment of the ashes. The design of the Garden and patio gives quick and easy access then to the Fellowship Hall or Patio for a fellowship meal or gathering.  

The Garden also is designed to be a place of life and renewal and can host a variety of events such as weddings, baptisms, receptions, meditation groups and individual prayer.  

A fee of $1,000 for internment and/or engraving is significantly less expensive than traditional costs of lots, vaults, caskets, headstones, etc., and our practice of scattering or burial directly into the earth means that our garden’s capacity is virtually limitless compared to cubical style Columbariums and cemetery lots. Consent forms are available from the church office or online HERE.

LABYRINTH
Continuing our experience with this unique spiritual tool, the vision is to place a stone or brick labyrinth in a circular lawn, surrounded by trees and the granite benches that graced our labyrinth at our downtown building. Across from the labyrinth, the old church bell will be mounted for use on special occasions near the Sanctuary’s west wall. The vinyl fences that cover the HVAC units will be replaced with natural wood barriers.

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