Prayer garden, an Eagle Scout project, dedicated at church near Gordon

Hyun Soo Lee, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Sep. 10—GORDON — A new prayer garden graces the grounds of Christ's United Lutheran Church, thanks to the efforts of a young parishioner.

A lifelong member of the church, 17-year-old Jacob Tice, of Lavelle, was inspired to create a tribute to his parish that was both useful and visually pleasing.

With the help of church members and fellow Scouts from Troop 745 in Ashland, he constructed a garden with a paved walkway, flowers and benches.

"I thought that it would look nice here, and the church would get some good use out of it," Jacob said. "I thought it would spruce up the church grounds and make it look better."

On Sunday, after the church's morning service, parishioners gathered outside for the garden's dedication, which was led by Jacob's father, lay minister and worship leader Erik Tice.

"I'm very proud of him," Erik Tice said. "He did an excellent job. He learned how to plan and coordinate things. ... It was a big undertaking."

Jacob said the monthslong effort involved a lot of planning, starting with excavation for the stone walkway.

Scouts arranged the garden, in part, around a solitary red maple that had already been on the property.

Many of the other pieces — including benches, plants, statues, a birdbath and a stone imprinted with the words "Walk in Peace" — were sponsored by church members.

"All of these plants were brought in from a bunch of different places," Jacob said. "The Scouts helped, and so did the church members. They all helped to bring the garden together."

Erik Tice said a prayer garden is a place for people to sit, contemplate and "have a nice meditation or prayer."

"A lot of our congregation members come out here and just have a nice time and sit and relax," he said. "It's meant to bring you a little bit more spiritual peace."

Many of Jacob's fellow Scouts were on hand for the dedication, including Allen Ahrensfield, scoutmaster.

In his dedication, Erik Tice said the garden is a "joyful place, delighting the senses," as well as a place to "root ourselves in Christ."

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085