Memorial Garden Beautification Project

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

"For everything, there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." If I were to describe the first half of 2023 as a season, one of the things I would say is that St. Martin's has experienced a season of renewal following a long season of deferred maintenance. From our new roof over the parish hall to restored instruments, to new and repaired fridges, to handicapped accessible walkways around each building, repaired HVAC units, and newly painted spaces, we have seen a lot of work done. The buildings that we call St. Martin's have been used hard. The grounds as well. This is a good thing. We are a church with a legacy of always welcoming people onto campus to do the work of the Kingdom of God. In truth, it's fun, it's holy, and it keeps us busy. "Time" and "busyness" stress facilities. Sidewalks that were once navigable become cracked, and tree roots expand and push things around. Summer heat and winter cold all play their part. I am proud of how St. Martin's has accomplished construction without compromising our work in the community. This has happened because of your amazing generosity. Your giving of time, talent, and treasure has made this uncompromising work possible.

In 2023 we will embark on two more projects, and then I pray, a break. For years shifting grounds, erosion, water runoff from Clemson Road, heat, cold, lawnmowers, weed eaters, and sun damage have taken their toll on our exterior stained glass windows and memorial gardens. Some of our headstones are damaged, and most sit unevenly. Our stained glass windows have become discolored, paint has chipped away, and years of hot and cold have caused bindings to become loose. Starting at the end of July, work will begin to solve these issues and restore the beauty of these spaces.

Most importantly, I want everyone to know that this work will be done with my utmost reverence, respect, and care. How we care for our loved ones matters. How we remember our past matters. How we care for the space entrusted to us is morally important. For some who have been saying we need to fix these issues for years, this news I know will be welcomed. For others, I know this work will cause anxiety and stir up grief. I hope if you are this person you will give me a call or come sit down. I want you to know that I care. This week I looked at our church records. I have officiated or served in 59 funerals since being at St. Martin's. I promise that the Memorial Garden Committee, our St. Martin's staff, Caitlyn, and myself will treat this work with the same love and care we have treated each burial service. The standard for that care is simple. Since becoming a priest, I have tried my best to treat every funeral I have done like I was doing a service for my own family. The work in and around the memorial gardens will be done with the same respect, dignity, and love.

In Christ,
Mitch+

Earlier this year, our sidewalks from Clemson Road to the church were redone to better accommodate all mobilities and abilities, and make them more handicapped accessible. In this process, we also remediated the water flow and erosion issues our previous sidewalks caused. With the erosion abated, we could now turn our attention to repairing the places affected by the erosion.

In the Memorial Garden, you may notice that the headstones have begun to buckle and no longer lay flat and straight. Grass and turf have washed away, and brick pavers are no longer sitting evenly. This makes it difficult for those who come to visit the graves of their loved ones, both to navigate the uneven ground and to feel that their loved one's remains are resting with dignity and care.

An architect who specializes in cemetery and memorial spaces helped us find solutions to our priorities:

• Ensure that the Memorial Garden ground will stop shifting and that the headstones will remain straight, level, and sure. A concrete grid system will be installed without disturbing the existing graves to provide stability.

• Repair the drain system to allow for natural but appropriate water egress.

• Create a new brick border that will make it easier for someone visiting a grave to step into the garden and walk to it.

• Replace the stone fountain against the wall and place a new one where the sundial used to be. The new fountain will be beautiful, appropriately sized, and will be irrigated so that it never runs dry.

With these improvements made, our parish landscaper will then be able to fill the garden with beautiful and seasonal landscaping without it washing away, and once again make our Memorial Garden a beautiful and holy place to pray and visit.

No graves will be disturbed during this process. We have a precisely measured and detailed drawing of the garden, and we know exactly where each grave is. Great care has been taken to label the drawings and our records are meticulous. Each grave was dug to a depth of at least 18”. All of the work to level and repair the garden will be done without disturbing the underlying graves, including the installation of a surrounding concrete grid system and footers. In the meantime, the stone headstones will be reverently removed and carefully restored until they can be placed back in their exact locations.

This process should take approximately six weeks, and those who come after us will enjoy the benefits of this work for generations.

For your safety, the garden will be corded off during the course of the work. As soon as it is safe to allow visitors and open the benches again, we will do so.

We realize this is a sensitive area that may stir up feelings of grief. Our clergy are always available to meet and pray with you, and we’d be honored to hear the stories of your loved ones. Make an appointment with Mitch or Caitlyn, or leave a message on the pastoral care line of the church at 803-787-0392. Your call will be returned.

In the meantime, our chapel is open 24/7 for you to visit and pray.

In the back of the chapel is a stained-glass window. At the top of the window is a dove representing the Holy Spirit, and then John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Beneath that, near the floor and level with the Memorial Garden behind it, is Jesus welcoming the little children to himself. The placement of that scene is holy - just as Jesus welcomed the little children in scripture he welcomed your loved one in the next life, a little child in the eyes of the Father. You are welcome to pray there at any time and know that behind the colorful glass the remains of your loved one rest in the earth while they are now embraced in the arms of God.

Our Memorial Garden is tended to by the Memorial Garden Committee, and cared for in perpetuity by the Parker Memorial Fund. We welcome gifts of gratitude and remembrance to this fund, and gifts may be made in person or online. Checks should include "Parker Memorial Fund" in the memo, and online gifts may be made at smifsc.com/giving.