Cottam United builds community prayer garden

by Sylene Argent

Thanks to plenty of support for the Community Prayer Garden project, the beginning stages of transforming a plain, green lawn into a natural area - reserved for prayer and reflection for the whole community to utilize - began at Cottam United Church on Saturday.

  Andy Pears and Ashley Osborne, church members who spear-headed the project, secured a grant through the Town of Kingsville and gathered donations from area businesses and supporters, to kick-off the project.

  The Community Prayer Garden has been in the works for around two-years. The idea came about right around the time parishioners were celebrating the church’s 150th anniversary. Since then, a design was created and the plant life was purchased.

  The garden was designed as a spiral. “You wind down as you wind in,” Pears said, noting a water feature will be added in the centre.

  Phase two of the project, to take place in the near future, will add benches and other features to the garden.

  “We are encouraging everyone in the community to use the space for quite time or celebration,” he said.

  Osborne added a dedication for the completed project will take place in the spring.

  Local individuals and groups, such as area Scouts and Guides, volunteered their helped with the major planting day on Saturday.

  Kathi Poupard, a Girl Guide leader, said part of guiding is learning to do things for others, so the planting day was a great way for the members to put their motto into action. Cottam United Church is a meeting place for many of the guiding programs, so it was also a great way to give back to the church that provides the girls a space to meet.  

  Osborne and Pears thanked everyone who came out to help during the planting event.