Rare gift

On the morning of June 2, about 75 parishioners and friends of St. George, Grafton gathered for the opening of the St. George’s Gift Garden, located at the home of Sally Hicks, who lives about a 10-minute drive north of the church. The garden, set into a gentle southern slope of the Northumberland Hills, includes an orchard, a labyrinth, a prayer garden, a wild flower garden and a pond with a small waterfall. It is a calm and therapeutic oasis for members of the community who need a quiet place for reflection and meditation. The Rev. Edward Cachia, the interim priest-in-charge of St. George’s, blessed the garden and its different sections. The visitors enjoyed a lunch that was organized by the church. The garden was open every Friday until Labour Day. Ms. Hicks says the produce from the orchard and vegetable garden will be given to charities.

Sally Hicks (right) and others make prayers, contemplative thoughts or wishes as they tie wool threads to the trees in the prayer garden.

Praying in the orchard.

A statue of Pan reclines under a tree.

Sally Hicks shares a moment with Bishop Riscylla Walsh, the area bishop of Trent-Durham.