The Luther Rose Memorial Garden is:
A garden where loved ones can be remembered and honoured in an attractive, peaceful setting;
A garden where visitors can spend time in prayer, meditation, conversation and reflection;
A garden that was inspired by the Luther Rose, a symbol of our faith.
A garden where loved ones can be remembered and honoured in an attractive, peaceful setting;
A garden where visitors can spend time in prayer, meditation, conversation and reflection;
A garden that was inspired by the Luther Rose, a symbol of our faith.
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Grace and peace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Soon after I began my ministry at Glory nearly eight years ago, discussion started about using part of our land for a cemetery. Strathcona County has only a few church-owned and one commercially-owned, but no publically-owned cemeteries. So we explored how we might provide a burial grounds for the congregation, as well as for the community at large. Unfortunately, because of our proximity to a protected creek, we were not given permission for an outright cemetery. However, the rules around cremated remains (“cremains”) are less stringent and allow for burial in various locations. Thus was born the idea of a “memorial garden”. The memorial garden will enable us to bury the cremains of loved ones and honor their memory in meaningful proximity to the living saints worshiping week after week. Churches and cemeteries have a long historic relationship. In the German town I grew up in, the church stood in the middle of the cemetery in the center of the community. Beside it was the house where the pastor and family lived, and next door was the school. Far from being “creepy”, it was natural for us to grow up knowing that the dead were not far from the living and vise-versa. This is the deep symbolic meaning of a memorial garden or cemetery: we are in fact not far from the dead, nor they from us. And because we are a community that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday, to have this symbolic space near our house of worship is very appropriate indeed. A church’s memorial garden is a place alive with anticipation. According to the gospel of John, chapter 19, Jesus was buried in a garden. When the risen Christ asked her, “Why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for,” Mary Magdalene mistook him for the gardener. What a joyful mistake! Today the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (built nearly 1700 years ago) still marks the location of Jesus’ cross and the garden tomb, which according to John’s gospel were close to each other. It is one of the most visited places of Christian pilgrims of all time. Going even further back in history, in Genesis chapter 23, there is a story of Abraham purchasing a field with a cave to bury his wife Sarah, which became the family burial grounds. Isaac and Rebekah were buried there, as was Jacob’s wife Leah. Jacob himself asked for his remains to be returned there from Egypt (Gen 49:29-33). This first piece of the “promised land” was, significantly and somewhat ironically, a purchased cemetery! It too is a place of pilgrimage to this day. One characteristic that makes us human is that we bury and remember the dead. It is a sign that our lives have greater significance or meaning than the years we spent as living bodies on earth. The computer age has taught us the power of machine memory. Our faith tradition teaches us the value of personal memory. A memorial garden is a way to make personal memory concrete, to give it space in our lives. It is a place in our community where we can deepen our connection to our ancestors, reflect upon our own lives and mortality, and anticipate the life of the world to come. Pastor Markus Wilhelm |
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In January 2011, Glory Lutheran Church opened its doors to its present location on Highway 16. Situated on 44 acres of land we share the property with many animals, including bees, blue herons, pelicans, deer and beaver as well as a wide variety of plants and trees.
Over the years, conversation frequently turned to the notion of developing a memorial garden on our property. A committee was formed, in 2019, with the mandate to design and develop a memorial garden.
While planning this garden, the committee was mindful of developing a design that provided an area where loved ones could be remembered and honoured in a peaceful, attractive and serene setting. We wanted visitors of all ages to feel welcome to enjoy the garden and spend time in meditation, prayer and conversation. After much discussion, planning, consultation and prayer a design plan for the memorial garden was completed.
Construction on phase one, the Luther Rose Memorial Garden, began in June 2022. The Luther rose, designed for Martin Luther in 1530, was the inspiration for phase one. It is a reminder that our faith provides us joy, comfort and peace.
Over the years, conversation frequently turned to the notion of developing a memorial garden on our property. A committee was formed, in 2019, with the mandate to design and develop a memorial garden.
While planning this garden, the committee was mindful of developing a design that provided an area where loved ones could be remembered and honoured in a peaceful, attractive and serene setting. We wanted visitors of all ages to feel welcome to enjoy the garden and spend time in meditation, prayer and conversation. After much discussion, planning, consultation and prayer a design plan for the memorial garden was completed.
Construction on phase one, the Luther Rose Memorial Garden, began in June 2022. The Luther rose, designed for Martin Luther in 1530, was the inspiration for phase one. It is a reminder that our faith provides us joy, comfort and peace.
By the end of July 2022, numerous types of coniferous trees, deciduous trees, and shrubs were planted among attractive barrier free, accessible pathways. A focal point of the memorial garden is the raised center circle. It is ten feet in diameter with red rose bushes and, ultimately, will be home to a large cross.
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From this...
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...to this!
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Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf of springtime. - Martin Luther
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Contributions to the Luther Rose Garden or donations in memory of loved ones are gratefully received at any time. Please specify “to the Memorial Garden Fund”.
All gifts received are tax deductible. |
For the burial of cremains or scattering of ashes please contact the church office and complete the Application / Purchase Agreement form.
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For additional information please contact the church office at 780-416-9594.
