Meditation Garden Luncheon and Fundraiser

On Sunday, May 1, following the 10:00 service and annual meeting, St. John’s is hosting a catered luncheon and fund-raising event to benefit the Meditation Garden to be developed behind the church, adjacent to the pond.

Money raised at this event, the only event being held to benefit the garden, will be matched by an anonymous donor up to $25,000. In order to raise the additional needed funds, parishioners will have the opportunity to “adopt,” or sponsor a plant for the garden, so that we all feel involved in developing this special space. The total budget for the garden is projected to be $160,000. No funds will be coming from the church. To date, Irene and Steve Finch’s families and generous parishioners have donated almost half that amount. In addition, we will explore other grant options if needed.

Here are a few of the plantings that are available for adoption. Costs include the plants and installation. There may be substitutions, if needed, based on availability and final design.

Perennials: Jacob’s Ladder, Columbine, Trillium, Jack-in the-pulpit, Coral Bell, Blue Wood Aster, Baneberry, Wild Ginger, Highbush Blueberry, False Forget-me-not, Lobelia, Wild Geranium. About 380 plants at $30 each

Shrubs: Pink Azalea, Hinoki Cypress, Andromeda, Yellow Twig Dogwood, Mountain Laurel, Mugo Pine, Lilac, Honeysuckle, Arborvitae, Dwarf Cranberry, Lilac. $96 each

Specimen Trees: Flowering Dogwood, American Holly, River Birch, White Pine, Weeping Hemlock. $485 each

In addition, donations to help fund the small pavilion, arched bridge and entrance arbor are welcome.

Steven Finch, Music Director Emeritus, suggested that the garden would be a beautiful way to remember his wife Irene, who died suddenly in November of 2020. Because of their love of nature and devotion to St. John’s, and because Irene taught meditation at the church, he proposed a meditation garden. The garden, to be completed next fall, will be a garden of beauty; a garden that is quiet, intimate and serene; an outdoor sanctuary for the soul.

We look forward to seeing you after the annual meeting.