Additional labyrinth walk/prayer this week

I got to walk/pray the labyrinth an additional time this week!

I was invited to the Burks UMC youth group tonight a few weeks back to share and what I shared about was the labyrinth as a spiritual practice.

I shared about the history of the labyrinth at Burks UMC, thanks to one of the founding labyrinth people at Burks UMC, Suzanne LaFever. I also shared a brochure with them, thanks to Jim and Carolyn Rochelle. 

I shared the origin portion with the youth and about the size of the labyrinth. I saved the brochure for our debriefing time.

I gave a short overall introduction to the labyrinth as a spiritual practice before we headed over there.

Here is the information from what Suzanne sent me:

Utilizing the New Labyrinth at Burks

"A labyrinth is a continuous path laid out in a circular pattern which leads to a center section. There is one path in to the center section and you return along the same path. Labyrinths are similar to mazes in outward appearance, but that is where the similarity ends. Mazes have blind alleys and dead ends designed to get you confused and lost. 

Labyrinths are designed to get you organized and found. Labyrinths have been built all over the world for thousands of years. No one is certain of the purpose of the earliest ones, which were built well before the time of Christ. Since medieval times, labyrinths have been built and utilized in Christian
churches for spiritual retreat, meditation and prayer. A prime example is the elaborate 11 circuit Labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in France, which is still in use today.

In recent years, many labyrinths have been built at hospitals, public parks, and private homes, as well as churches and other places of worship throughout the world. Most are located outside and are made from a wide variety of materials.

Labyrinths provide a physical tool for spiritual growth to:
1. Deepen your compassion,
2. Lessen your judgment of others and yourself,
3. Increase your patience, and
4. Find your purpose and share it with the world.

Labyrinths also provide quiet places to calm your mind and focus your thoughts and prayers on the circumstances at hand, whether they be:
1. Grieving a personal loss,
2. Making a difficult decision, or
3. Needing to forgive - others or yourself.

There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth but there are some general guidelines which should be followed:

1. Remember - Allow your mind to focus on the circumstance at hand.
2. Release - Let go of any pre-conceived expectations.
3. Receive - Pray about the circumstance and listen for direction from God.
4. Resolve - Determine to proceed according to the direction received.

Walking a labyrinth in this manner works because it allows us to be in touch with our mind, body, and spirit simultaneously. Multiple walks may be required to resolve complex issues. The publication “Sacred Path Companion” by Lauren Artress provides more detailed, specific information on walking a labyrinth. 

The New Labyrinth at Burks is a semi-classical 5 circuit labyrinth, 52 feet in diameter. The 3-foot-wide circular path is made of hardwood mulch with grass borders. The outside border is formed by 170 heavy edging bricks. The center section is 12 feet in diameter and contains 3 curved concrete benches for rest, meditation and prayer. You enter and exit across 4 large paving stones on the right side.

The idea for a labyrinth at Burks originated during a spiritual retreat at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, in July 2009. The design concept was developed by Leila Niemann, after she and Suzanne LaFever attended a seminar on modern labyrinths, in Louisville, later that year. Construction was completed by Burks members and friends in December 2011, using funds from donations for that specific purpose.

The New Labyrinth at Burks honors Pastor Rhonda Hobbs. It is for use by the entire community - not just Burks’ members. All are welcome. Both individual and group use is encouraged. Since the area is not lighted, use must be limited to daylight hours.

There is no cost to users. We only request that you report any damage found to the church office, so the Labyrinth at Burks can be properly maintained."

Here are JPGs of the brochure:

It was a cool experience to walk/pray the labyrinth with a group of people and then to debrief the experience with them afterwards.

I heard the crunch of my shoes on the mulch and birds singing. I saw the bright blue sky at times and my shadow as I turned on the path. I felt the warmth of the sun as it bore down upon me, helping take away some of the chill from the cold afternoon.

Being with others in silence is a comfortable experience for me. I learned about active silence in groups in the 2 Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. There is something deep and holy to being with others in silence.

Riley and I stayed for dinner after the debriefing and then joined the youth for some s'mores at the firepit. I just roasted some marshmallows, but it was fun!

Dan Boland made a great fire and he made the most perfect marshmallows too!

If you've not walked/prayed a labyrinth, I invite/encourage you to try it. It's not too late to add it as a Lenten practice.

Here's to the adventurous journey!

Rev. Deb