The tragic explosion and fire on September 9, 2010 had a huge impact on our San Bruno community. The Bethany community was also devastated when three of our beloved members perished in the fire – Lavonne Bullis, Greg Bullis, and Will Bullis. We were rocked to the core as we tried to support each other and sort through the grief that filled our hearts.
Since the blast, two major events have been held at Bethany to help not only our church community, but also the San Bruno community at large. The first of these was the creation of a mosaic memorial wall. Members of Bethany worked with people from all over San Bruno and beyond to create this wonderful mural that has become a symbol of hope to all who see it, a depiction of sorrow turning to joy. The mural was mounted outside the church adjacent to a grassy area near the entrance doors.
A Healing Garden was created in the Summer of 2015. It is a place for people to gather, rest, breathe in the peace of the place, and enjoy the beauty of the mural. A dedication service for the Healing Garden was held on Sunday, September 6, in which we honored many people, including the wonderful first responders and office holders of San Bruno whose bravery and level-headedness served San Bruno so well during those first terrible moments of the blast and beyond.
The garden was created with the help of many people, especially the Lowery family – Ken, Jennifer, and Ryan. Ryan put in many hours, creating a sacred space for people to sit and reflect. He and his family took on the project as the final step toward Ryan earning his Eagle Scout, and the result is just beautiful. We thank Elder Roxane Wales for her incredible vision and energy as she guided her committee of Healers through the summer to the completion of the Healing Garden Project. Her calm and kind leadership kept the project on task and moving forward. We could not have completed it without her!
The Healing Garden is open to all visitors, every day. We pray that your healing is aided by spending time here.
Healing Garden