| In the fall of 2005, inspired by the experience of walking the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, two members of the congregation shared their story with Reverends Don and Milton, who expressed interest in having one in our church. Not too long after that, another congregation member read a mission moment selection about a church that created a labyrinth. We contacted the church, and they offered to visit for a show and tell of their labyrinth. The idea took root.
In the fall of 2006 about 20 congregation members began a labyrinth ministry to bring this ancient Christian practice to our community as a resource for personal and spiritual growth. We decided to create both an indoor portable labyrinth and an outdoor labyrinth.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we purchased a 36’ portable, canvas labyrinth for indoor walks from the wonderful people at Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC. We chose the Chartres-style labyrinth with the labyrinth pattern hand-stenciled in pencil.
The labyrinth arrives – all 120 lbs – three sections of canvas neatly folded in their own canvas bags
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The labyrinth arrived just before Christmas – a true gift to our church and community.
Between January and March 2007 congregation members inscribed prayers, quotes from scripture, hymns, hopes and dreams, and even artwork, on the borders of the labyrinth path. The inscriptions were then painted over so they are permanently and privately embedded in the labyrinth.
 Much of the painting took place on Saturdays and during Monday night Bible Study. Reverend Don designed a winter Bible Study series exploring the Biblical Stories of Journeys and Walking. The series set a tone of spiritual reflection that was mirrored in the prayerful creation of the labyrinth.
At the start of each gathering, we lit a candle, read Jeremiah 6:16 and together we read aloud a prayer crafted by the labyrinth team.
All the folks who participated in this ministry celebrated with a potluck supper and “first” walk at the end of March. Countless prayers, hymns and hopes lie under that beautiful purple, transforming simple unbleached canvas into an oasis of peace and blessings. If you ask any of the folks involved you will find them all transformed in their own way by the experience.
It is our hope that this labyrinth will be a valuable meditative tool and vehicle for anyone interested in exploring or deepening their spiritual selves.
Come, walk, find rest for your soul.
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Chartres Labyrinth at Grace Cathedral
(photo courtesy of Grace Cathedral)
Show and Tell – courtesy friends from South Congregational Church, Concord, NH
Members of the labyrinth team on a field trip to walk the labyrinth at Miramar Retreat Center.
Laying out our labyrinth
Walking our labyrinth for the first time
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