The Meditation Garden  

"Also a Place for Action"

Our arrival at St. Armands Key in the weeks after the hurricanes of last fall brought the beautiful surprise of the Meditation Garden.  Julie and I had traveled from our longtime home in Boulder, Colorado, to our beloved winter home on John Ringling Boulevard, within a short walking distance of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.  Only now, in early October 2004, we came directly to the SAKLC residence on North Washington Drive.  We passed right by our heavily damaged condominium in the early evening and quickly came upon the newly constructed Meditation Garden with illuminated trees and plants.  After driving from the Ft. Myers Airport, through the devastated Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte areas and past our own building in Sarasota Harbour West, damaged by Hurricane Frances, we sat on one of the benches in the Garden and gave thanks together to our Creator God.

 The decision had been made by the Congregation last March while we ere enjoying our first extended stay in Sarasota, and we became even more aware of the meaning of the Meditation Garden in association with the Memorial Service at SAKLC for our dear mother, Gertrude Holm, on March 28, 2004.  The major Garden project was underway!  Just six months later, the Meditation Garden was part of each day for us as we were in residence next door, making arrangements for the reconstruction of our nearby condominium.  We began to hear the appreciation of visitors, for example, a man in his 80s who walks from Bayfront Drive several times each week and makes the Garden his destination and resting place and “turnaround.”  In November, the Pergola was being constructed, but the Garden was already being used by a newly married couple whose wedding was celebrated elsewhere.

 As our Congregation held the Dedication of the Mediation Garden on Sunday, March 13, Pastor Eric Wogen helpfully described more of the background of this creative space on the church grounds.  He spoke of the Garden as a “place of spiritual uplift, a setting in which to experience the presence of Christ.”  This built upon messages addressed in a congregational letter with “Reasons For Considering The Creation of the Meditation Garden” and the word picture of “A Spiritual Oasis.”  Members and friends of SAKLC have truly provided an exceptional place for refreshment and reflection!  The quality of landscaping and furnishings, coupled with the thoughtful selection of Scripture stones, are a gift to all who walk through and, perhaps, pause for meditation.

 At the same time, the Garden presents opportunities for service and for outreach.  It is sufficient as it now is, a place of peace and beauty.  The established features give a gracious witness.  May we also consider some ways to elevate the Meditation Garden’s service?                                                                                                       Continued ….

n       The usage by us as members will give an example to the huge number of visitors who pass by our strategic location.  By taking time to visit the Garden, by showing that “something is going on here,” we will set the pace for an ever expanding number of visits.  The hope that is within us by God’s grace becomes more and more infectious.

n       Allow this “sacred space” to tell about “gardens” in Jesus’ passion and resurrection, especially as a refuge for prayer.  Let the lives of our loved ones be remembered in gentle walks through this Garden and in quiet conversations with whomever we encounter.  (We are inspired by Pastor Wogen’s account of the original envisioning of this place:  “…the Property Committee was approached by Christine Ortiz with a desire to establish a small garden area on this plot in memory of her dear friend, Kim Wittlinger.”)

n       Through the Garden, continue to grow in the practice of Christian hospitality, truly a gift of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church!  Our family has experienced the invitation and the warmth of the Congregation in so many forms since joining in a worship service in January 1967 of the Lutheran mission held in the Lido Beach Casino.  The Meditation Garden adds “an excellent outreach tool” for the mission and ministry of all of us in the SAKLC community!  Julie and I are very glad and thankful to be on this journey with you!

- Bob Stuenkel

(Pastor Bob and Julie Holm Stuenkel were accepted as “Associate Members” on February 27.  They concluded their two month stay in Sarasota and participation with SAKLC on Easter Sunday.)