New meditation garden ‘near to the heart of God'

“There is a place of quiet rest — near to the heart of God …”

These words, from the 1903 hymn “Near to the Heart of God” by Cleland McAfee, aptly describe the new garden being built by the Point Washington United Methodist Church Women's Group. 

 “Our small group of ladies started planning for this Meditation Garden at the beginning of the year,” Kathy Carpenter, president of the group, told The Sun. “It is on the south side of the historic Point Washington Methodist Church.”

The site for the garden, a space approximately 25 by 70 feet on the side yard, has always been there, almost hidden by hedges and a picket fence — just waiting to fulfill its purpose.

The women's group decided it would make a peaceful place for a garden, and after attending a Seagrove Garden Club meeting where they heard landscape designer Snookie Parrish speak about Florida friendly gardens, they invited her to design their special site.

“She was very interested and came up with a plan that will be a beautiful addition to our church,” Carpenter said. “There will be a water feature and a 4 by 8 foot cross between two of our stained glass windows which will be back lit.”

One of the group’s members, Joyia Spann, wrote in the purpose for doing the project:

“We believe this special place will provide a space for small weddings, renewal ceremonies and baptism. A place to calm a crying child, memorialize or honor a love one, or sit and visit with friends or talk to our Redeemer … ‘near to the heart of God’.”

There are already two memorials for the space that will be included in the new design.

“One is for the children of the Oklahoma bombing, and the other is for Paula and Jim Lucas, who were members of our church, and were killed in an automobile accident about six years ago,” said Carpenter.

There is no completion date for the project, as the women will do the work as funds become available. The entrance arbors were built by Buddy White for the cost of construction and are now finished. A larger arbor with a swing is also in place.

“The actual planting of the trees and shrubs will be done by our members, plus we volunteer our husbands’ and friends’ time and muscle,” Carpenter said. “Last week we received a donation for the large urn that will be used as the water feature.”

The Women’s Group is open to all the women of the church and has about 12 members who are very active. To raise the money needed, the women will be involved in various fundraising projects.

“We are selling engraved 4 x 8 foot bricks and 12 x 12 foot pavers,” Carpenter said. “The bricks can be purchased for $65 each and have room for three lines and 20 spaces per line. The larger pavers also have three lines with 30 spaces per line. The pavers are $125 each. We have had orders from some church members, but really need to get the word out to the community because we need additional help in raising the funds.”

The women will hold a bake sale during the Methodist Men’s BBQ sale from 9 a.m. to noon July 31 at the church, 1290 N. Hwy. 395 in Point Washington. On Sept. 11 they will have a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone wanting to donate good useable items can bring them to church after 3 p.m. Sept. 9 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10. All proceeds will go to the new garden. The church’s annual craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 in the new gymnasium, where last year, 33 vendors sold their arts and crafts.

For information on purchasing bricks and pavers or other fundraising activities, contact Carpenter at 850-231-2706.

The garden offers a quiet place to pray, contemplate, solve problems, rejoice, remember, or just enjoy nature. All are welcome to take advantage of the garden and its beauty— “near to the heart of God.”

To read the story behind the song “Near to the Heart of God,” visit www.thedestinlog.com.