Ladies’ Garden Party at Grace Church, Fredericksburg VA – April 2024

A special thanks to the Ladies at Grace Church – and especially to organisers Michelle and Letha – for preparing a wonderful Garden Party on 27th April 2024.
I was privileged to be part of it.
When Miriam and Doris and I arrived to help with some preparation on the morning, we were the first to arrive and the Worship Center was in darkness. It was a “let there be Light!” moment as Miriam found the light switch.
What we then saw was really beautiful!
As Miriam drove me home later she said, why don’t you write a poem?!
I hesitated ……but then said I would certainly think about it. Writing poems to order can be hard!
But this Sunday afternoon 28th I’ve had a go. Here’s the finished poem. Once again a huge thank you to those who put in such hard work and creativity to make the Ladies’ Garden Party a day to remember!

Garden Party – Grace Church – A Poem

We gathered in the morning, when it was cool and grey
But as we looked into the dark, we saw a bright array
For through an arch of flowers - as we switched on the light Appeared an indoor garden - unfolding to our sight

The hall inside had been transformed, into a special place 
Small trees stood high above us, and flowers filled the space 
And on the white clothed tables, more floral notes were seen 
Such beautiful arrangements, in colours white and green

We went into the kitchens, and started to prepare
The banquet of delicious food, that later we would share 
It was a place of busyness, but with such happy chatter 
The sounds of preparation - the clinking and the clatter!

And then the giant plates of food, the salads and the sweets 
The endless trays of tasty things, that we had come to eat! Arranged upon ceramic leaves - an elephantine ear
Created for this garden feast - through its preceding year

Then - at the very centre, of this delicious mountain
The sound of trickling water, from a stupendous fountain 
With flowers all around it, and flowers at its base
We feasted on God’s goodness, and celebrated Grace

And later we remembered, the gardens in God’s Word
The places where our God was seen, the places He was heard
In Eden’s pristine beauty, where in the cool of night
His Presence walked with man and wife, in undiminished Light

Jesus prayed in a garden, the night before He died
Then by His tomb, dear Mary saw - a “gardener”- and cried 
And we await a garden, with everlasting Light
Beside a crystal river, where there is no more night

And in that final garden, where Eden is restored
God’s people will behold His face, as their eternal Lord 
Beside a crystal river, His Tree of Life will grow
Its fruit and leaves will evermore, bring His own healing flow

So thank you for the garden, where we could celebrate 
And thank you for the beauty, that those on earth create 
High praises to our Father, His Spirit and His Son
We shall forever thank Him, our Mighty Three in One!