| PARISH PUBLICITY and PHOTOS A Festive Service of Evensong was offered on Sunday, October 2, at 4 p.m. at Saint John's Church in Park Slope. Following the service The Venerable Peter P.Q. Golden, Archdeacon of Brooklyn, offered prayers of Blessings on the newly renovated Parish Gardens, a new Celtic Cross above the main entrance to the Church, and Memorial Plaques placed in various places within the Gardens and Church. The Parish Gardens now include a Memorial Garden which contains the ashes of many of the faithful departed from the parish and neighborhood and a Meditation Garden, dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Ruth Beck who bequeathed funds used for its construction. Each garden contains decorative statues and winding paths and benches reminiscent of quiet cloistered areas. During the service the Rector, Father Powers, reminded all that St. John’s would be celebrating its 180th Anniversary in the year 2006. He said that the renovation of the front gardens were meant to provide a new and welcoming face to the neighborhood which would encourage people to come in to sit, pray or just relax for awhile. They are open daily to neighbors and friends as places of reflection and prayer. The Celtic Cross above the Church entrance replaces one which was destroyed in a great storm in the last century. It and a plaque just inside the entrance are dedicated to the memory of Mr. Jeff Thomas, who died at age 39 and who had been active in loving service to the parish as a Chorister, Vestryman, and Lay Eucharistic Minister. Another plaque placed in the same area is dedicated to Mrs. Muriel Irving, a loving member of the parish who bequeathed funds which were used to air condition the worship space. A gala reception followed the service in the Garden as the Tower Bells rang with joy.
|
