Music, Food and Hope at Liberty Oak Oasis

Music, food and a community-wide effort to build White County’s first prayer garden will come together Saturday as Liberty Oak Oasis hosts a special fundraiser honoring the legacy of Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski.

The event will take place May 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Liberty Oak Oasis, located at 2030 Duck Pond Road in Sparta. Organized by Liberty Oak Oasis Director Mark Johnson, the fundraiser will help support construction of the future Nightbirde Prayer Garden while also benefiting the Nightbirde Foundation.

The evening will feature food from The Pizza Machine throughout the event, a 50/50 raffle and live music from American Idol finalist Morgan Gruber beginning at 6 p.m.

Johnson said the event is designed not only to raise funds, but also to introduce the community to the vision behind the prayer garden and the larger mission of Liberty Oak Oasis.

“The Prayer Garden will be developed with private funds and local volunteers that would like to help cultivate and shape for the local community, Middle Tennessee and visitors from all across the country a space that will bring healing for what life throws at them,” Johnson said.

The future garden will honor Nightbirde, the singer-songwriter and American Idol contestant whose story of faith and perseverance inspired millions during her battle with cancer.

Organizers plan for the space to become a peaceful place for reflection and restoration. Visitors will eventually be able to stream Nightbirde’s music through QR codes placed throughout the garden, read some of her inspirational quotes displayed on wooden plaques and access her poetry book through a small library box located on site.

Funds raised through the event will also help support the Nightbirde Foundation’s outreach efforts, including Hope Boxes that provide encouragement and comfort to women battling cancer around the world.

The prayer garden will become part of Liberty Oak Oasis’ broader vision for the 25-acre property surrounding The Duck Pond. The nonprofit hopes to use the area as a retreat-style space focused on serving veterans, first responders, ministry leaders and others seeking healing and restoration.

Once completed, the prayer garden is expected to be open to the public Sundays through Wednesdays from sunrise to sunset.