Kirton Methodist Church has a beautiful garden. It was lovingly cared for by Ralph Mowles for many years until ill-health meant that this large expanse of lawn and beds was too much for him alone. An advert in the Felixstowe Mission Area magazine, resulted in Tony , my husband, volunteering to take it over. Once Tony had made a start on it, Ralph felt that he was able to assist him and the two of them worked hard and well together for several months until Ralph’s sudden and untimely death. Barry, from the village, kindly mows the lawn, and Geoff , also a Kirton resident, offered to help Tony, so the three of them, with some occasional help from our grandson, Dexter, continue to make the garden a beautiful space to walk in, be quiet in, and pray in, for the church and community alike.
A church garden is an unusual, and inspirational asset. The garden has been put to good use by Rev Diane Smith conducting weekly Sunday afternoon services, once the first lockdown was eased, and an idea emerged that the garden could be used everyday, and for anyone, for prayer and reflection.
I asked Brian Ansell, a local stonemason if he would be willing to carve some prayer stones to be placed in the garden as aids to prayer. He and I went to choose the stones, and Brian set to work to carve 6 stones with the general theme of Worship.
On 1st November, All Saints Day, the prayer stones were dedicated by Diane, to the memory and ministry of my father, Rev Harry Breakspear, who was minister at Kirton, and the surrounding Felixstowe, area from 1963 – 1969.
About 30 people came to the service, including his grandson, Jonathan (who is a professional gardener) and the whole congregation processed around the garden, stopping at each stone for prayer and reflection. The stones depict the components of worship, and our response, – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Community and Peace. The service ended inside the chapel, led beautifully by Diane.
Everyone is welcome to come and see the stones and spend time in the garden, and once Covid restrictions are lifted, a box containing Prayer Guides will be available in the cart shed at the start of the prayer walk. Until then, you might like to print off the guide that follows this introduction and come and spend some with God, in a beautiful garden.
You can download and print the guide by clicking here – it is also reproduced in full below :
Prayer Stones in Kirton Methodist Church Garden
These Prayer Stones were carved by local stonemason, Brian Ansell, and dedicated on November 1st 2020 to the memory of Rev Harry Breakspear, minister at this church and in the Felixstowe area from 1963 – 1969
The theme of the Prayer Stones is Worship, and each stone depicts a way in which we can reach out to God in prayer.
Following round from the end of the cart-shed, in an anti-clockwise direction, we come to the first prayer stone.
Adoration
‘Let the people praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you’. Psalm 67:3
The prayer stone depicts a palm branch, reminding us of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the crowd waving palm branches in praise and adoration.
‘Hosanna ! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’.
How can we show our praise and adoration to God? Look around you at the beautiful garden, and praise God for his creation. Take time to absorb all you can see, hear and feel and offer your praise to God.
Confession
‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.
1 John 1:9
The cross on this prayer stone reminds us that Jesus died on the cross for all the wrong things we have done, tha he loves us, and forgives us As you gaze at the cross, say sorry to God for those things you wished you hadn’t done or said, or for the times you have let yourself, others, or God down. He forgives you.
Thanksgiving
‘O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever’. Psalm 136: 1
This prayer stone is of an ear of wheat, reminding us of harvest thanksgiving when we say thank you to God for all his gifts to us.
Make a mental list of all that you can thank God for – family and friends, food and shelter, love and kindness.
Intercession
‘And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.’ 1 John 5:14
The praying hands on this stone encourage us to always pray for others.
Bring the prayers of your heart to God, for loved ones, friends and strangers, the needs of the world, and for anyone who is in trouble.
Community
Jesus said,
’I am the Vine, you are the branches’ John 15:5
The grapes and vine leaf signify our connection with each other and God, whether in the church or the community.
Pray that communities, churches and families will be united in love and grace, and that God would heal any divisions.
Peace
‘The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace’ Numbers 6: 26
A sign of peace is the olive branch, first mentioned in the Bible when the dove returns to Noah in the Ark with an olive leaf in her beak.
Pray for peace for the world, peace in our country and peace within your own heart.
We hope that you enjoy walking around the garden and reflecting on how the prayer stones ‘speak’ to you.
May God bless you as you leave your prayers with him, and take his peace with you.