Tuesday, May 23, 2000

Church's garden features plants from the Bible

John Kennedy/Caller-Times

The Rev. J. Allen Lowe, senior minister of South Shore Christian Church, stands at the Water from the Rock feature in the Old Testament garden at 4710 S. Alameda St.

And the Lord God planted a garden in
   Eden, in the east; and there he put the man
   whom he had formed.
   And out of the ground the Lord God made
   to grow every tree that is pleasant to the
   sight and good for food, the tree of life also
   in the midst of the garden, and the tree of
   the knowledge of good and evil.
   Genesis 2:8-9
   Using such scripture references to plants, herbs, trees and gardens, the congregation of South Shore Christian Church set out 18 months ago to create a virtual walk through the Bible via a scripture garden.
   The garden is divided into two sections, one grounded in the Old Testament, featuring, for example, the burning bush from the story of Moses, gourds from the story of Jonah, and fig trees from the story of Adam and Eve. The Old Testament garden is located in the church's courtyard and will be formally dedicated at noon Sunday.

John Kennedy/Caller-Times

A bush that represents the burning bush in the Old Testament is one of many plants in a biblical garden at South Shore Christian Church that will be dedicated at noon Sunday. Work on a New Testament garden begins soon.

   Work on the New Testament garden begins in the summer.
   "This was a project we weren't sure would ever get off the ground," said church member Steve Locke, "but the congregation really embraced it. The big story behind this garden is how everyone came together for a common cause.
   "We've got people who can't bend their knees any more, but they could research the Bible for us. Youth groups have helped by pouring the concrete for the curbing. Some pulled out their checkbooks and wrote contributions. Others helped by encouraging everyone else to see this through."
   The garden, Locke said, is one of five such gardens known to exist around the country.
   The local scripture garden project will culminate with the construction of an outdoor chapel for weddings and other ceremonies.
   Everything growing in the garden has a marker bearing its common and scientific name. The markers also cite corresponding passages in the Bible.
   "What we're attempting to do is bring the abstract to the practical," said the church's senior minister, the Rev. J. Allen Lowe.
   It's one thing to read about the crown of thorns placed upon Jesus' head during his crucifixion. "But actually seeing what a brier bush looks like really hits you hard emotionally," Lowe said of one of the items to be featured in the planned New Testament garden.
   For church member Dan Keetch, the scripture garden has sentimental value; three oak trees located in the middle of the church's courtyard were planted seven years ago in memory of his mother, Jayne Keetch. Now the oak trees also serve as references to the Book of Isaiah.
   "Before, this was just an open lawn with just a few trees," Keetch said. "But now the whole thing has blossomed into a peaceful area for people to stroll through and enjoy."
   The scripture garden is free and open daily.
   The church is located at 4710 S. Alameda St.
  
  
 

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