The Sanctuary Garden at St. Matthew’s
““I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; he who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.””
Our FAIth
It is this promise of God's for eternal life that sustains us as Christians when we experience the reality and pain of death. And death is real, it comes to us all. The loss of a loved one through death is a painful and difficult experience.
As the body of Christ, the church is our source of comfort and hope at the time of death. It reminds us of God's promises of His abiding presence and eternal life for the deceased as well as the bereaved. As the people of the church minister to those bereaved within its midst, God's love and mercy reaches out to heal the pain of grief and to nurture new life.
The Sanctuary Garden of St. Matthew's provides a place to remember deceased loved ones and to meditate and call upon God and our memories for comfort and meaning.
The Garden also provides an appropriate resting place for cremation ashes. Cremation is a reverent and acceptable alternative to traditional means for the final disposition of the earthly body.
Our Garden
The Sanctuary Garden has been created by the congregation of St. Matthew’s for use by its members to memorialize deceased loved ones and to provide an appropriate resting place for cremation ashes. The natural beauty of the Garden is a living reminder of God’s presence in our world and a source of comfort and hope for all who visit.
You are invited to participate in the ongoing creation of the Sanctuary Garden by:
Making a contribution of any amount to be used for the perpetual care of the Garden and/or special gifts for the Garden.
Memorializing deceased members of St. Matthew's on the memorial plaque.
Making prepaid arrangements for future use of the Garden.
Sanctuary Garden Guidelines
The privilege of having a name engraved on the Memorial Plaque or those having ashes interred in the Sanctuary Garden will be limited to members of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church.
A minimum one-time gift of $750 will be requested for the privilege of having a name engraved on the Memorial Plaque and/or the interment of ashes if desired.
The amount of $750 is subject to change in the future depending on expenses.
Other cash donations for the perpetual care of the Garden will be gratefully received and properly recorded.
Ashes are to be returned to God's earth. No markers or receptacles will be used in the Sanctuary Garden.
Administration of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church Sanctuary Garden will be the responsibility of the Sanctuary Garden Committee.