Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.Psalm 23:6

Saint John’s Council just approved the rules and regulation and other paperwork required for Saint John’s new columbarium. We have already reserved several niches—if you have reserved a niche, you can expect a call soon from Tom Miles! He will be confirming details before beginning to make inscriptions and preparing Certificates of Inurnment Rights. To those who are interested but have not yet reserved, watch for the new brochures at the Welcome Center, and contact Tom if for further information.

Since ancient times, Christians have buried their families in the churchyard or in the church itself, symbolizing the continuum of faith from birth to death, baptism to burial. In keeping with this tradition, Saint John’s Lutheran Church has established a columbarium for the inurnment of the cremated remains of members of Saint John’s in good standing. The columbarium is located on the north side of the church, in the Garden, which was completed in 2019. It has been designed as a dignified setting to honor those who have entered the Church Triumphant. It is a place where visitors to the columbarium may come to rest and pray.

The niches are 8"× 8" and accommodate up to two urns. The cost of a niche is $1,500, which includes everything—inscriptions, urns, maintenance and any other costs—and one opening for placement of an urn. Additional openings cost $300 each. The full name of each inurned individual and his or her birth and death dates will be inscribed on the niche front. A small portion of the cost of the first 132 niches will be used to complete the columbarium, which will eventually consist of three units of 66 niches each. The larger portion of the cost will be kept in a restricted fund, separate from general church funds, to assure the perpetual care of the columbarium.

The columbarium is overseen and maintained by Saint John’s Parish Administrator and the Board of Trustees. For more information and a copy of the Columbarium Rules and Regulations, contact Tom in the church office. To request a niche, simply find or request a copy of the columbarium brochure and fill out the enclosed Application to Purchase Inurnment Rights. Your Application will be reviewed by Saint John’s Senior Pastor and Parish Administrator. Once approved, your initial payment will be due. Upon receipt of full payment you will receive a Certificate of Inurnment Rights.

Arrangements for the placement of ashes in the Garden may then be preplanned at any time. Those who desire inurnment in the Garden are encouraged to inform their family of their wishes. All inurnments will take place with the assistance of Saint John’s Senior Pastor.

The mission of the Foundation is to receive gifts, memorials, insurance proceeds, stock and other financial documents in order to provide funds for needed projects and missions within the Church.