Just east of our church building, adjacent to the newly planted park and meadow, sits the Martin and Carolyn Tilson Memorial Garden, dedicated to the memory of St. Luke’s fourth rector and his wife. In the midst of the Tilson Garden is a series of interwoven paths, marked off by stones set in the ground, called a labyrinth.
This ancient spiritual tool, common to many religious traditions, has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in recent years. The oldest labyrinths, found mostly in Europe, are nearly 4,000 years old and were used for prayer, meditation and spiritual reflection.
During the Middle Ages when warfare made pilgrimages to Jerusalem and other holy sites too dangerous for ordinary Christians, many turned to labyrinth-walking as a tangible substitute for actual pilgrimages.
Labyrinths come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Probably the most famous labyrinth is located at Chartres Cathedral in France, created in the 13th century. Thought by some to resemble a maze, there is actually quite an important distinction between the two. A maze is designed to be a puzzle, with an array of turns, choices and dead-ends. In contrast, a labyrinth has only one path, leading the pilgrim through the winding paths to the very center of the labyrinth and back again.
A typical use of the labyrinth involves quieting our minds and hearts and focusing prayerfully on the love and grace of God for us. Perhaps we will pause at points along the way to reflect upon crucial or meaningful moments in our spiritual lives and stay on the path until we reach the center.
There, persons often remain for a short time to offer their thoughts, prayers and concerns to God and give thanks for his presence in their lives. Returning again to the point where one entered, the path becomes a time to draw strength from the experience and a time to reflect on where we are in our spiritual journey.
Every person’s experience of the labyrinth is unique. Some come for prayer, others for reflection, and still others for healing. Although deeply rooted in the Christian tradition of prayer and meditation, the labyrinth is used by persons of all faiths and indeed pre-dates the founding of the Christian faith. Even those from no particular religious persuasion can, and do, benefit from its use.
The St. Luke’s labyrinth is open to all people every day of the year from dawn to dusk. There is no cost, and no reservation is needed. Small children should be supervised, and we ask that no food be brought into the garden, though you are welcome to picnic in the meadow adjacent to the garden. We invite all interested to come and participate.
If you would like more information, contact the Rev. Steve DeGweck at 802-6203 or Mary Ellen Calhoun at 960-1244.
