Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

A committee consisting of Jane Murray, Sara Jane Cate, Gwen Lehman and myself, along with assistance by Marianne Peters Flickinger in assessing the congregation’s interest in a columbarium, met throughout the past year.

We have explored the possible locations for a columbarium and determined which company could best supply the necessary products for our columbarium.

Market Square member Thomas Bank, a licensed architect, joined our team a number of months ago and has supplied the expertise needed to come up with the basic design for the columbarium, which is pictured here. We have also drawn on the wisdom of Michael Lehman, a landscape architect, and Steve Shadle of Mid-State Construction, whose firm did an excellent job with the Doorway to Our Future renovations.

The Session and Trustees have approved going ahead with the project, with income from the sale of niches intended to offset a substantial portion of the cost over an extended period of time. The columbarium will have as its centerpiece a sculpture by the noted Zimbabwean artist, Nelson Rumano. This work of art depicts three figures in a warm embrace and carries Rumano’s designation, “Infinite Love.” It is to be dedicated in memory of Donald Cate.

The rendering by Thomas Bank gives a wonderful preview of what will come to life in our passageway over the next several months. During this time details such as the cost of niches will be worked out and shared with you.

Faithfully,