As our committee continues to plan for the Evening of Remembrance on May 11th at 6:00 pm and meet with the pastor who will lead, the musicians, and members of the community who are assisting, we carry all of you who will be attending in our hearts and thoughts.
We understand that you might have questions about what to expect from the Evening of Remembrance, especially if you are a family who will be burying or honoring a child. The following are some of the details you might be wondering about - but might not know how to ask. Please let us know if you have any other questions. 

• On Thursday the 11th a Wings of Hope committee member will meet with a representative from Mankato Mortuary and Terry Miller of Calvary to witness the remains being placed in the burial vault. The vault will be sealed before being taken to the Wings of Hope memorial site.
  
• A volunteer from the community sews burial blankets which cover each baby's remains individually.
• The grave will be prepared and the burial vault will be placed at the Wings of Hope memorial site before the ceremony. 
• There is limited seating available at the site. You are also welcome to bring your own lawn chairs or stand for the duration.
• In case of inclement weather we will move the service into the cemetery chapel (located near the Wings of Hope memorial site). 
• Pastor Michael Omtvedt from Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato will lead the ecumenical service. He is planning a heartfelt message of compassion, love, and hope.
• Vocalist Amy Kuch, accompanied by guitarist Pam Schultze, will provide music for the evening. Some of the songs they have selected include Hear Our Prayer, Blessings, and Jesus Loves Me.
  
• Not all families have remains for burial, which is why all families who have experienced pregnancy loss and newborn death will be invited during the service to place flowers at the burial vault in recognition of all children who have been lost. 
  
• Flowers for the service are generously being provided by Hilltop Florist and Greenhouse. You are also welcome to bring your own if preferred.
  
• After the closing song you are all invited to stay at the site for light refreshments. Some families also take this time to take pictures at the memorial site to include in their own personal albums and family history records.
• After all families have gone, Terry will bury the vault at the perimeter of the paved walkway. A flat grave marker will be placed at a later date at this location with the month and year of the service.
  

It is our mission as a committee to be able to provide you, the families who have lost children, with a comforting and compassionate service. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
[email protected]
507-519-0158 (ask for Chris - Wings of Hope Chair)

Please join us on Thursday, May 11th at 6:00 pm at the Wings of Hope memorial site in Calvary Cemetery - Mankato - for an Evening of Remembrance.

Pastor Michael Omtvedt from Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato will lead the service. The memorial service is ecumenical – it will include a burial service for families who have recently lost a child in miscarriage, music, prayers, special readings, reflection, and an opportunity for all who have experienced pregnancy loss or newborn death to recognize the lives of their children.

As we did in our first Evening of Remembrance, we will invite all families who have been touched by pregnancy loss and newborn death to place a flower at the burial urn (we will provide flowers, but you may also bring your own if you would like).

Not all families who lose children in pregnancy have remains to bury, or perhaps you have buried your child elsewhere, but we want to make sure you know that you are invited - this service is for you, too. So whether your loss was recent or decades ago, please know that this memorial and this place is for you.

Musicians for the service will be vocalist Amy Kuch and guitarist Pam Schultze.

We will have limited seating available at the site. You are free to bring your own lawn chairs or stand for the service (we anticipate approximately 30-45 minutes). Following the service we invite you to join us for light refreshments at the site.