Eastchester Community Church Honors Newtown Victims With Memorial Garden

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by the Eastchester Community Church.

Community Invited to Share Thoughts and Prayers

On Sunday, December 16 at 9:00 A.M. (RAIN OR SHINE)

EASTCHESTER, NY, December 15, 2012 – In response to yesterday’s shooting deaths of 26 children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Eastchester Community Church today announced the creation of an outdoor memorial garden decorated with red hearts and signage honoring the victims on display Sunday, December 16 at 9:00AM.  Tomorrow’s setting of the garden will take place rain or shine.  

Location: Eastchester Community Church at 11 Woodlot Road in Eastchester.

Date: Sunday, December 16, 2012

Time: 9:00 AM 

“Our community is shaken up by what happened yesterday. The emotion we feel is very real and overwhelming,” said Rev. Eric J. Hall, Pastor of Eastchester Community Church. “We wanted to create something that allows the people an opportunity to express themselves and mourn.” 

The memorial garden will include:·         

six 18”x18” red hearts, and twenty 12”x12” smaller red hearts mounted on stakes to symbolize each adult and child killed (respectively); a 4’x4’ sign with a quote from the Book of Hebrews: “The souls of the just are in the hands of God” (Wisdom 3:1); a 4’x4’ sign with a quote from Jesus of Nazareth: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14); a 4’x6’ sign: “Please Share Your Thoughts and Prayers” with Sharpie markers allowing people to write down thoughts and feelings they might have.

Wild Orchid Florist and Nature’s Cradle have been generous in assisting with floral arrangements. 

Also, today Eastchester families have charitably donated toys for tomorrow’s event, including: 20 small stuffed deer (representing each child lost), a very large teddy bear, a singing angel, and a big toy truck. Additional donations  from other families are likely. 

“We received numerous phone calls yesterday from parents of the church’s pre-school, Lincoln Academy, which takes care of about 70 to 80 small children, about their fears relating to this incident,” said Rev. Hall. “The few people who already know of our plans have presented some toys and stuffed animals to add to the memorial. We hope our garden will be a place where people can find some solace during this very sad time.” 

Eastchester Community Church will hold regular Sunday service at 10:30AM following tomorrow’s garden unveiling. The public is invited to join. The memorial outdoor garden will be on display daily until further notice and the public is invited to stop by day or night (it will be lit up until 10 pm) to add to the thoughts and prayers being gathered.