Eat, Park & Bless

St. Michael’s to celebrate new parking lot, memorial pet garden



The Bishop will be in Waynesboro.

He’s coming at 1 p.m. this Saturday, May 25 for St. Michael’s Episcopal Church’s “Eat, Park & Bless” – a celebration of its new parking lot and memorial garden for pets.

Bishop Scott Benhase of Savannah will be blessing the new 25-car lot which was recently constructed on the site of the old city tennis courts.

Father Jim Shumard, rector of the Liberty Street church, said the lot serves dual purposes. In addition to church parking, the public is encouraged to use the lot while visiting the adjacent city park.

“It’s a public service. When people park on both sides of the road by the park, it’s dangerous,” he said. “We’re already seeing more use of the parking lot than we ever did when it was a tennis court.”

The Bishop will also consecrate the church’s new St. Francis Memorial Garden for pets. According to Father Shumard, community members may use the garden to bury ashes of their deceased pets.

“People truly mourn their pets,” he said, noting the garden is a good option for renters and families that move regularly. “This is a sacred place to honor your pet … and a place you can return to even if you move.”

The garden landscaping was funded through a donation from former residents Richard and Sue Daniels in memory of their late pet Old Fella – the rescued stray for whom the local animal rescue group was named.

After the blessing and consecration, there will be an ice cream social in the park. The whole community is invited.



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