A Treatment Plan for Life:
Lessons from the Mountaintop
Sunday, June 8
9 a.m. at Union Chapel Indy and Online
2720 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Twice a year, I find myself seated in the dentist’s chair, the bright lights shining down as he performs his examination. After his assessment, he gives me a treatment plan—-a roadmap for my dental health. It typically includes any procedures he recommends, and he outlines my responsibilities for self care.
In today’s scripture, we see Jesus doing something similar. He looks at the community with compassion and insight, offering them a treatment plan for truly flourishing lives. As we look deeper into these two sentences from the Beatitudes in his Sermon on the Mount, we find further insights about mercy and purity—-two essential elements at the core of our faith. These verses shine a light on the deep connection between how we treat others and our own spiritual transformation.
This Sunday, we'll explore what mercy and purity meant in the original context of Jesus' words and how they resonate today. We’ll reflect on our role in engaging with Jesus’ treatment plan for the health and well-being of others, recognizing how our actions serve our own spiritual journeys.
We are all in need of extending and receiving mercy. The only path to achieving this is by tending to our spiritual pathway. Join us this Sunday for "Lessons from the Mountain Top: A Treatment Plan for Life," where we will uncover the blessings that await us when we embrace mercy and purity.
–Carolyn
About THE GARDEN
Our Mission
Sharing in the journey of spiritual exploration through creativity, compassion, and care.
Our Vision
To create and inspire goodness and love in the world.
Our Values
We are committed to Inclusiveness, Spiritual Growth, Creativity, Social Equity and Outreach.
Who We Are
The Garden is a reconciling ministry of the United Methodist Church, affirming everyone regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof, and affirming the dignity, worth and value of every person, emphasizing that we are loved and accepted just as we are. The Garden believes everyone has a divine purpose in this life and we work to help everyone find the spark of God in their hearts. Anyone is welcome on our leadership teams, in our church, and on our volunteer teams – no matter your story, you are welcomed and affirmed here.
The Garden is a leader of a forward-thinking movement, which encourages people to experience the holy in all of life, not just through the traditional format known as “church.” Those who experience The Garden find connections through common values more than through common beliefs. The Garden is: spiritual, not religious; accepting, not judgmental; seeking, not certain; inclusive, not exclusive; up-to-date, not limited by the past; and succeeds in blurring the lines between the sacred and secular. Those who are connected with The Garden are empowered and encouraged to think for themselves and to be wherever they are in their own life/spiritual journey without any expectation of a pre-determined or set destination.
Our Origin
In 1994, founding pastor Dr. Linda McCoy had a dream knowing God intended for her to do something far different in ministry. In 1995, The Garden church was planted, holding its first services at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. In 2016, The Garden became an independent church from its parent organization of St. Luke’s UMC and now stands strongly on its own, pastored by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes. Officially chartered in June 2017, The Garden is now The Garden Community Church.
What to Expect
Our Services
The Garden has a bit of a different vibe… Aside from being open, inclusive, and affirming, we find a deeper spirituality by blending the sacred and the secular. We demonstrate this through the use popular secular music played live by live musicians, The Good Earth Band. While we take inspiration from the life of Jesus for messaging, we welcome everyone without agenda–-we seek to convert no one. Instead, we aim to create a comforting space where people of many paths can feel welcome.
The Garden meets in Union Chapel at 2720 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, also the home of Union Chapel United Methodist Church. When you arrive, please help yourself to coffee and a doughnut or bagel, find a seat, and relax. If you have questions, our friendly Hospitality Team can answer them and help you get acclimated. Feel free to come and go as needed during the 45-60 minute service. After all, you may need a refill of coffee or an extra doughnut!
We encourage children to attend service with their parents/caretakers to embrace the positive message and experience. Child care is unavailable. However, we offer children's programming simultaneously with our service.
Please join us on Sunday for a different kind of church experience!
Our Team
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes
Lead Pastor
Since September 2015, Reverend Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes has been the spiritual leader for The Garden Community Church. Pastor Carolyn is deeply ingrained into the life of the church and dedicated to The Garden’s future. Pastor Carolyn’s faith is driven by the music of all types, so The Garden’s progressive spiritual approach and blending of the sacred and secular truly fills her soul.
Originally from the Chicago area, Carolyn came to Indianapolis to study music at Butler University – Go Bulldogs! After graduation, Carolyn decided to stay in Indianapolis, where she worked in an office during the day, sang with her band at night, and spent Sundays at her church working as a soloist and eventually Children’s Music Director. After starting a successful program at Geist Christian Church, Carolyn was called to St. Luke’s UMC to work as the Children’s Music and Fine Arts Director.
It was from St. Luke’s that Carolyn felt called to explore full-time ordained ministry. She graduated with a Masters of Divinity from the Christian Theological Seminary in 1997 and was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1998. In 2005, Carolyn graduated with a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. After graduation, she went to San Francisco to serve as an Intern at GLIDE Memorial UMC, a community known for its great diversity, community service, and outreach. She was at GLIDE until she was called to Avon Christian Church in west Indianapolis.
Carolyn and Avon Christian Church had just finished a building campaign. She was looking forward to catching her breath, but the UMC Bishop contacted her about coming to The Garden. The congregation was about to go independent from St. Luke’s UMC, and the founding pastor Dr. Linda McCoy was retiring. At first, she was reluctant to take on such a challenge. Coming to The Garden was not in HER plans; however, it was in God’s plan, and we know that God doesn’t always call one to what they want to do but to where we are needed. It seems we, both The Garden and Carolyn, needed each other.
The and the Reverend Dr. Andrew Holmes, Lead Pastor at Roberts Park UMC, met while they were both working at St. Luke’s UMC and were married on 11/11/11. Carolyn says she and Andrew are a great example of how opposites attract or how faith can come together from different perspectives. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and reading. Carolyn has a creative spirit and enjoys living in that spirit. In fact, although it has never been published, Carolyn wrote a children’s book entitled “My Neighborhood” about a group of children coming together in spirit in the midst of great tragedy.
Rev. Richard Brendan
Associate Pastor of Engagement & Partnership Development
Rev. Richard Brendan has been an ordained minister in the Indianapolis area for decades. During that time he has served as a pastor, hospice chaplain, founder and president of JourneysFire International, co-founder and emcee of the Walk the Talk speaker series, executive producer of a CD with Cathy Morris titled Sacred Romance (featuring the music of Cathy Morris and Richard giving voice to the mystic poetry of Rumi and Hafiz), and host and producer of a weekly talk radio show for over twenty years on 88.7fm, WICR at the University of Indianapolis. The show, JourneysFire with Richard Brendan, featured a full hour of conversation with leading visionaries and social change artists.
Betty Brandt
Director of Programming
Betty comes to us after serving as the Director of the Community for Contemplation & Justice at St. Luke’s UMC for 23 years. Betty was honored to be the Center for Interfaith Cooperation's Interfaith Ambassador of the Year in 2020. She finds and creates opportunities for The Garden's Faith in Action Team, coordinates the art gallery, and organizes the Sunday morning after-service class, “Together in 111.”
Arcy Clark
Director of Administration
Arcy is an Indianapolis area native and mother of three girls. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management & Computer Science at Purdue University. Arcy started going to the Garden in 2021, became a Member in 2022, currently serves on the Board of Directors, HR Committee, Worship Team, Media Team, and joined the The Garden Staff as Director of Administration in 2024. Arcy is also a Founding Member, Founding Board Member, & Director of Finance for Our Kaleidoscope Community, a non-profit community supporting LGBTQ individuals in the Indy area. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking, and daily word puzzles.
Martha Heinrich
Director of Finance
Hometown: Born in Chicago, lived in Winona Lake, Indiana, and has now resided in Indianapolis for over 50 years
Gardener Since: c. 2015
Most Memorable Garden Moment: Carolyn and I personally moving boxes and all The Garden's possessions from St Luke's to the Broad Ripple Church office to become The Garden's own independent church.
Favorite Restaurant: Bonge's Tavern
Mantra:
We can do this....it’s just not that hard.
Doran Nash
Director of Music
Doran is a graduate of Bellarmine University with a focus in Jazz studies and pedagogy. He is the keyboardist for LivingProof and a private teacher, instructor in voice, guitar and keyboards. In his spare time, Doran enjoys reading, dogs, and tinkering around his new/old house. Doran looks forward to this new adventure with The Garden.
Matthew Vire
Director of Communications
Matthew assists The Garden with all sorts of communications, service planning logistics, special projects, website development and maintenance, and whatever else may be needed. Matthew appreciates The Garden’s less-traditional approach to church services, especially its manner of finding and highlighting the sacred in the secular. He has earned master’s degrees in Theatre, Psychology, and Business Administration. He lives in Indianapolis with his spouse, professional speaker and motivational comedian Kevin Wanzer, with whom he wrote I Love You When, a children’s book about unconditional love.
Patrice Bradley
Board Member
Role: Outreach Committee Chair
Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan
Gardener Since: c. 2015
Most memorable Good Earth Band Song: Peace Train – with Conga Line!
Favorite Restaurant: Broad Ripple Brew Pub
Mantra:
Be kind!
Scott Cunniff
Board Member
Role: Board Secretary
Hometown: Born in St Louis, grew up in Davenport, Iowa, which he considers his hometown, and current resident of Indianapolis since 1988.
Gardner Since: c. 2004, after attending 2003 Christmas Service
Favorite Garden Experiences: The wonderful music, spiritual messages, and the casual, accepting atmosphere.
Interests: Scott is a proud father and grandfather, recently retired, and hopes to spend more of his free time going on trips, visiting friends and family, and volunteering.
Mantra: You shouldn't wait to start enjoying your life more. Start Now!
Patti Duckworth-Read
Board Member
Role: Human Resources Committee Chair
Hometown : Franklin, Indiana
Gardener Since: 2018
Loves The Garden because: Pastor Carolyn's warmth, sense of humor, and uplifting messages, enhanced by the Good Earth Band make every Sunday uplifting!
Interests: Quality time with husband, children, grandchildren, extended family, walking/hiking, music, plant & flower gardening
Mantra: Look for the good in every situation.
Larry Hutchinson
Board Member
Hometown: Alamo, Indiana
Gardner Since: 1998
Favorite Garden Experience: Working with the positive group of people that are members of The Garden
Favorite Good Earth Band Song: What the World Needs Now is Love
Favorite Restaurant: The Beef House
Mantra: If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t.
Other Interests:
Reading Medieval, Ancient and American History. Stumbling around with the Spanish language. Drawing. Writing stories for my grandkids. Cars. Working as a service club member.
Shannon Robinson
Board Member
Role: Board member at large
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Gardener Since: c. 2018
Favorite Good Earth Band Song: Days Like This
Favorite Restaurant: Harry & Izzy’s
Mantra:
I love who I am. I love where I am. I love what I’m doing.
Dean Schleppi
Board Member
Role: Finance Committee
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Gardener Since: 2005
Favorite Garden Experience: When my Granddaughter, Orla, was confirmed as a Member of the Garden
Favorite Restaurant: LA Cafe, Whitestown, Indiana
Mantra: Just Keep Rowing the Boat
Other Interests: Golf, Grandchildren, Traveling to Venice, Florida and Farming
Elizabeth Young
Board Member
Role: Board Chair
Hometown: Vincennes, Indiana
Gardener Since: c. 1995
Favorite Garden Experience: "Every Sunday is the best!"
Favorite Restaurant: Kona Jacks
Mantra:
Help me be a blessing to others.
CONTACT US
The Garden's administrative office is located inside Union Chapel Indy at 2720 East 86th Street, Indianapolis.
If you plan to stop by, please call 317-296-8118 ahead of time so that we will know you are coming and can arrange to have someone there to greet you.
To send us a message, please complete the form below.
