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September 2005 |
Prayer Garden at Idaville church to be dedicated Sept. 11
The main point of interest is the labyrinth.
IDAVILLE, Ind. - Eastlawn United Methodist Church will dedicate its Prayer Garden on Sept. 11. The 35-member congregation will celebrate the "Prayer Garden as a gift from God to be a blessing to all who come and pray there."
Robert Sovinski, professor of landscape architecture in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University, designed the garden. Members of Eastlawn met Sovinski, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette. Pat Pritchett, an Eastlawn member, encouraged Pastor Ernie Elder to ask Sovinski, if he would be interested in designing the Prayer Garden. Sovinski said, "yes."
Sovinski met with the church several times, getting input on the kinds of things that people wanted to see in the garden. Ideas for this garden came from Biblical gardens in Warsaw, Ind; the labyrinth based on the Chartres Cathedral design at the Geneva Center in Rochester, Ind; the labyrinth, garden walk and columbarium at Saint Luke's Church in Indianapolis; the gardens at Trinity Episcopal Church of Indianapolis and the grounds at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
The main point of interest is the labyrinth. Sovinski designed it to be the Eastlawn UMC labyrinth. He told Elder that there is no other design like it. It has four quadrants, and in the center is a carnelian fountain. Cut into the top of the fountain is an equilateral cross, so that when the water comes from the center of the fountain, the water flows through the arms of the cross.
Another point of interest is the eight flowerbeds around the labyrinth. The flowerbeds remind one of the stained-glass rose window designs with the flowers being the.
"Around the flowerbeds is a circular path that ties into the overall cross design of the garden, reminding people of the eternity of our redemption in Christ," said Elder.
To develop the theme of redemption, hawthorn trees were planted. They produce a thorn to remind visitors of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore; a red berry to remind them of the blood that Jesus shed upon the cross for our sins; and a white blossom to remind them of the purity found in Jesus.
A prayer chapel was build over two benches to give shelter. On the gable of the chapel, a figure of the risen Christ is displayed. Two other benches are available for people to rest and pray in the garden. Behind the benches are lampposts that remain on all night long.
Upon receiving and approving Sovinski's design, Eastlawn met with several vendors who worked with landscaping. In one of its meetings, the church decided to build the Prayer Garden. Jim Pickett gave leadership in helping the Prayer Garden to become reality. He not only called upon members to help in creating the garden, but also asked neighbors of the church to participate in the building, too. Through Pickett's constant commitment to building the garden and cooperation with the Prayer Garden Committee, it has become a reality. By working with the Chair of the Prayer Garden Committee Paula McCutchan, and its members, Lydia Parrish and Martha Duffey, Pickett led the church to create a beautiful garden.
The genesis for the garden began in Elder's discernment of what to do for his project paper for his Doctor of Ministry Degree. In his discussion with the Rev. Kate Walker, who then was district superintendent, about creating a prayer garden at Eastlawn, she informed him that this project would tap into the gardening interests of this church. She encouraged him to do a Bible study on "Gardens of the Bible" during the Lent of 2001.
The response of the church was favorable and led Elder to introduce the Prayer Garden idea in July 2001. Not only did Elder receive encouragement from Walker, but also from professors at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis where he is working on his Doctor of Ministry degree, as well as friends and colleagues in ministry.
Elder said the Prayer Garden has been used for public and private worship. In September 2004, Eastlawn held a worship service using a curriculum titled The Prayer Path: A Christ-Centered Labyrinth Experience (Group Publishing). This curriculum also was used by Elder to guide the Prayer Team from Camden UMC in October 2004. In December 2004, Eastlawn placed a live Christmas tree in the garden to decorate it and placed food under it for a local food pantry. After Christmas, the tree was planted on the church's grounds. This past June, Paula McCutchan, a member of Eastlawn, led the United Methodist Women of Monticello, Ind. through the garden.
One of the motivations for creating the garden was to create a visitor-friendly space for the many travelers who drive along Highway 24. By creating a prayer garden, the church hopes that many will find hospitality through the church's ministry to provide a place where people, who are weary and heavy laden, may find rest for their souls.
By providing a prayer garden, the church is inviting people to reconnect to God. Our story began in a garden, found redemption in a garden and whose ending is in a garden.
"It is a hope that the Prayer Garden will be a place of healing and reconciliation. The church has only begun to explore the many possibilities of this ministry of prayer through the garden," said Elder.
The Prayer Garden is open to anyone or group at any time. If any group would like to be led through a time of spiritual reflection or prayer service, they may contact Pastor Ernie Elder at 765-429-5122 or Paula McCutchan at 574-583-7581.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008