With the addition of Grace Garden, First United Methodist Church has become a church home in every sense of the word.  Here, we center and sustain our Christian lives through worship, baptism, communion, confirmation, and marriage. It is also here that we celebrate the lives of the saints of our church as they are sent into eternal life through the prayers and remembrances of family, friends, and our congregation. 

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Grace Garden is a beautiful place of peace not only for those who come to remember departed loved ones, but also for those desiring a place of reflection and prayer.  The unique charm of our historic sanctuary provides the perfect backdrop for Grace Garden. Within the walls of the garden, the restful sounds of the Trinity fountain are surrounded by beautiful foliage and statuary, offering a tranquil and private setting for meditation. The majestic basalt triune pillars of the fountain signify the Trinity and the enduring living water found in Christ.

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The garden is gated and softly lit for added beauty and security. As you approach, Feed My Sheep, a sculpture by artist Dan Pogue, portrays the shepherd lovingly tending his sheep -- a remembrance of our Lord's tender and abiding presence.

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What is a Columbarium? 

A columbarium is a group of niches, typically within a stone wall, which contain the cremated remains of the departed. The word columbarium comes from the Latin word columbary, which is a structure for the nesting of doves -- the dove being the symbol of God's Spirit and peace.

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Grace Garden provides 459 niches behind granite panels, reserved for the inurnment of ashes. Each niche is 8x8x12 inches and can accommodate one or two urns.

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Is Cremation Biblically Sound?

Cremation is a widely recognized process that is used today throughout the Christian community. It has long been a service of many churches to provide and maintain burial gardens close to the church. This time honored practice is particularly relevant today as land resources become more scarce. First United Methodist Church has consecrated the Grace Garden columbarium for this purpose.

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What are the Benefits? 

Families who choose cremation for their departed loved ones will find Grace Garden a wonderful option. Rights of Inurnment are modestly priced. The garden's peaceful setting creates a comfortable meeting place for families and friends to gather in love and remembrance, a consoling link between life and death in our community of worship.

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Who May Use the Grace Garden?

The garden is reserved for present and former members and ministers of First United Methodist Church Georgetown and their immediate family, as defined in the Grace Garden Rules and Regulations. In addition to inurnment, niche space may be reserved for memorializing loved ones who have gone before us, but whose resting place is elsewhere.

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What is the Cost? What services are Provided?

The cost is $2000 per inurnment, per person. This cost includes an urn, placement of the urn within an engraved niche, and the perpetual care of Grace Garden. All memorial niche inscriptions will be uniform and include: name, date of birth, and date of death. Cremation arrangements and the transfer of ashes to the purchased urn are the responsibility of the heirs/family. The grounds and structure of Grace Garden will be maintained under the care of our loving Church family.

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For more information, please contact office@fumcgt.org or 512-863-2370 x225.

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Forms:

Application to Purchase Right of Inurnment

Inscription Request

Limited Power of Attorney

Change of Address

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Policy:

Grace Garden Rules, Policies, and Regulations 

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Prayer Labyrinth 

 

What is a Prayer Labyrinth? 

When you look at our Prayer Labyrinth, you may first think you are seeing a maze and though the two words are used interchangeably, mazes and labyrinths are not the same. A maze is a puzzle to be solved. A labyrinth, on the other hand, is unicursal, with only one path to the center, and the same path out. 

 

The prayer labyrinth is a winding path that leads unerringly to the center where you are invited to stay and pray. When you are ready, turn around and walk the same winding path out again. As you complete your prayer walk and walk back out to the edge you may feel a new sense of empowerment to love God and love your neighbor. 

 

The prayer labyrinth can help calm the mind, relax the body, reduce stress, and provide space that helps guide your mind and heart in prayer. Function follows form; this form, the prayer labyrinth, leads your mind to new places in prayer. The path is a metaphor for a journey with God in which you can trust God every step of the way. 

 

History of the Prayer Labyrinth 

Labyrinths have a rich history. They have been known for over 4,000 years and have appeared in almost every religious tradition. This design is found at different periods of history in such far flung places as India, Norway, Ireland, England, and even in America. 

 

Christian churches used the labyrinth for prayer and meditation as early as 350 CE. The labyrinth has recently been rediscovered as a tool for prayer and meditation. 

 

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