St. Joseph’s Memorial Garden consecrated

By Laurie Ayers, Coastline Communicator
St. Andrew’s, Panama City

On the sultry morning of August 20, an intimate group of people gathered on the west side of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Panama City, to consecrate the St. Joseph Memorial Garden. The garden, created by parishioners Belle Casler and Snookie Raines, provides a loving resting place for the unclaimed remains of local people.

During the memorial service, Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard quoted scripture from John 14:1-4.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. John 14:1-4

Rev. Shepard commented that the scripture was particularly poignant in that although the remains of twenty-five individuals were unclaimed by their human families, now they were surrounded by the love and compassion of the St. Andrew’s church family.

It happened that the church organist was practicing for the upcoming Sunday service while the memorial was taking place. The glorious music seemed to confirm the presence of the Holy Spirit and magnify awareness of the special place God had prepared for those unclaimed. It was truly a very memorable experience.