Prayer Garden 10 years later is still growing strong

Nestled among the trees along a busy thoroughfare in Brandon is a place of solitude that invites anyone of any faith to come sit, reflect, perhaps pray or to walk along the paved trails to take in the grandiose blooms.

For some, it’s an oasis.

For others, like Monica Schroeder, it offers inspiration.

“When you walk in here, you see God belongs here and prayer belongs here. It’s just a calm, surreal, inspiring place,” she shares. 

Schroeder is one of more than two dozen parishioners at Risen Savior in Brandon that tends to the Prayer Garden on the church grounds. Among their church family, they’re recognized as the Prayer Garden Ministry Team. Some would categorize their ministry as “hands-on.”

The Prayer Garden is now in its 10th year. Judy Schierholz is a charter member of the Prayer Garden Ministry Team. The idea of creating a serene and peaceful place – more specifically, a Prayer Garden – came about over a cup of coffee with a friend, Val Minihan, Schierholz said.

“Our initial thought was we would do gravel paths and everybody would bring their plants and we would plant whatever we go,” she recalls. “Initially, it was a 30-year plan.”

In a 2012 Brandon Valley Challenger story, Minihan said the garden’s “30-year plan” would give her something to do in retirement.

Ten years later, their initial 30-year plan is well ahead of schedule.  

The garden’s biggest jumpstart came from an unexpected memorial given by the Jimmie Fjerestad family. For years, Fjerestad tended the church lawn and outdoor plants.

“We thought it’s the perfect thing to do,” said his wife, Bonnie.

The Prayer Garden features paved walkways that encase the Memorial Tree, which represents the Tree of Life.

“It’s like the Garden of Eden,” informs Laurie Lambertz, who inherited the Garden’s leadership role when the Minihan family moved away. “Originally, it was an ornamental flowering tree, it wasn’t an apple tree … There were some branches dying, and Daemon (Coughlin) said to just cut them off. Eventually, we cut off all of the grafting, and so it went back to an apple tree because it was a grafted tree, but we’re good with it.”

And so are the squirrels who scamper up the tree, pick an apple and then take it to a bench where they eat it.

There are three central circles in the garden, which Lambertz said, symbolizes the trinity.

The first circle is Mary, which is highlighted by hues of pink-colored flowers. Ten rose bushes represent each decade of the rosary.

Jesus is honored in a second circle and is surrounded by purple flowers, which is the color of royalty, Lambertz said.

The final circle is the St. Joseph circle, which is dedicated to all of the Priests and Fathers that have served Risen Savior.

Nestled among the blooms is a fountain that offers a calming trickle of water and is encased by flowers in hues of red, orange and yellow.

Two years ago, the Prayer Garden Ministry Team added the Stations of the Cross.

“You can see them back there amongst the trees where people can walk through and do the stations,” Lambertz said.

An evergreen tree lost in last year’s derecho left a gaping hole. Lambertz said they plan to fill the empty pace with rocks gathered by Jimmie Fjerestad that will symbolize Calvary Hill and the three crosses, a statue and a bench. 

That’s one project, however, the Ministry Team, won’t be digging into. Instead, an Eagle Scout recently approached Father Young about doing a project for the church, and this is that project.

Nancy Volk is one of about a dozen team members that show up weekly to weed, water and do whatever needs to be keep the garden in all its splendor. She’s been coming to help for about five years, and said her reason for doing is, “I love flowers and they lift me up.”

Schroeder she was “tricked into coming” because her daughter, Emily, needed a ride and insisted she do so.

“All of a sudden, I can’t stand around watching people getting things done and not participate. After a while, I actually bought into the ministry of it, the beauty of the prayer of it, the beauty of God,” Schroeder said. “I really wasn’t called to serve in this ministry. Those friends that are listed up there are really good friends of mine and I could’ve joined them at any time, but I waited until the Lord called me.”

Bill Schierholz has been a member of the Prayer Garden Ministry Team since its inception. 

“I’m a laborer here; that’s it. I offer no designing, no nothing,” he said, noting it was his wife, Judy, that nudged him. 

At last week’s hot and humid work night, the Ministry Team tackled putting in a “Back to Eden” style garden, where cardboard that is put down and becomes mulch and kills the grass. In this space is being planted a Veterans Honor Garden, Lambertz said. 

“Next year, it will be more developed red, which and blue, and we’re going to put up some kind of honor wall where people can put plaques on,” she said.

Jennifer Swenson joined the Team two years ago after she was “voluntold by a friend” to join.

“She said, ‘Jennifer, this would be great for you.’”

Swenson is the first mto admit that she doesn’t have a green thumb. 

“I often have to ask Laurie, ‘Is this a weed or a flower? Do I pull it or do I leave it?’ I’m learning, I am learning. There’s still so much that I don’t know, but I don’t care. It’s just beautiful here and I’m outdoors. It’s just a beautiful place,” she said.

The Ministry Team funds their endeavors with two major fundraisers, a breakfast each spring and a bake sale each fall. They also sell pavers, and receive sponsorships and other donations.

Lambertz said springtime is her favorite season in the garden. 

“The humming birds,” she says. “I come out here every single day and I just love watching to see what’s opening up.”

She also waters the plants on a daily basis.

Although the Prayer Garden is located on the Risen Savior grounds, the garden was created for all walks of faith.

“We want the community to come,” Lambertz said. 

It’s evident the community has been enjoying the “fruits of their labor” through the multiple signatures and reflections shared in the Garden’s guestbook. Lambertz said there are at least 15 states represented in the book, which is kept inside a mailbox at the garden’s entrance.

Lambertz said she pulls the book out often to see who has visited. She’s also discovered, although anonymous, that visitors have shared some very personal thoughts in the guestbook.

She points to an entry written last year by someone who had thoughts of committing suicide.

“Last week, somebody had an abortion and they came here because it makes them feel better,” Lambertz said.

As summer’s heat and humidity combines for uncomfortable conditions, Judy Schierholz said the discomfort is well worth the end reward.

“A lot of times, I’ll stop and read in the book what people have shared when they come here. Sometimes you can be out here and you don’t see anybody and wonder if it makes a difference. You get a lot of fulfillment from that or sometimes people walk through here and tell you how much they appreciate it,” she said.

Initially when the Prayer Garden was planted, Minihan said it was not intended to be a memorial, although there are areas where loved ones are remembered.

“This is a project that never ends, Minihan said, “because a garden is always changing.”