Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church youths have set up a prayer garden across from the Safety Harbor church.
By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published October 15, 2005
SAFETY HARBOR - It's a humble garden, but one rooted in a noble cause.
A youth group has been working since August to create a serene prayer and flower garden in a lot across the street from Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church at 695 Elm St.
"The concept came from the kids," said Carmen Lundy, the church's youth director. "The fact is we live in a not-so-happy community. These youths have a lot to deal with. Of the 26 youths in the program, 24 come from single-parent families. A lot of the parents won't come to church, so the children hope their parents will meet God in the garden."
Hailed as the Garden of Gethsemane, after the olive garden where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion, the retreat features a small gravel walkway leading to a mailbox, where prayer requests can be deposited. Three wooden benches and a picnic table invite visitors to rest and reflect. There are no olive trees, but oaks provide shade and tranquility. Plaques containing Scripture will be nailed to their trunks. Potted flowers brighten the area.
"We're hoping for more donations of plants, and we'd like to get a paved concrete walkway," Lundy said.
The Juvenile Welfare Board provided $1,000 in seed money for the garden through their Youth As Resources grant program. About 22 youths from 8 to 18 participated in the project.
The garden will be dedicated to the city of Safety Harbor about 1 p.m. Sunday after the church's 11 a.m. worship service.
The church's Rev. Gregorey Dunton said he was skeptical about the plan when the youth group first approached him with the idea. It seemed like a big undertaking for a church with a congregation of only about 60.
"I told them, "You guys are thinking too big,' " he said. "But it really is a good idea, and maybe it will get more of their relatives to come to church or to the garden. These kids have really pulled it off."
