Labyrinth

The Christ Episcopal Labyrinth is located next to the church and is open during daylight hours for prayer.

Comments from Labyrinth Visitors

The Christ Church labyrinth has frequent walkers from the surrounding community. Labyrinth visitors often leave thank you comments in the Labyrinth mailbox. The most frequent notes are thanks for the lovely, peaceful setting and the availability of the labyrinth.

Have you appreciated the labyrinth's quieting, meditative, problem solving aid to prayer? There are simple instructions in the mailbox. Please leave us a note with your comments.

What is the labyrinth?

The labyrinth is a single, meandering path leading to and returning from a center circle . The labyrinth has many 180 degree turns and an equal number of right and left turns. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has no blind alleys or puzzles to solve. You cannot get lost!

What is purpose of the labyrinth?

The purpose of the labyrinth is for prayer and meditation. As a metaphor for the spiritual journey, the labyrinth suggests insights and analogies for each person's place on the spiritual path. The labyrinth is an effective tool for "centering prayer" which is very focused and undistracted listening to God.

How does the labyrinth "work?"

The labyrinth helps us center on God through the physical act of walking a set path that requires our attention. In the walking, distractions vanish, allowing the mind to rest, further empowering the Spirit to lead the labyrinth walker.

What are some benefits of walking the labyrinth?

Healing
Finding God in greater self-knowledge
Understanding the spiritual life
Transformation of the soul in communion with God

History of the Labyrinth

The origins of the labyrinth trace back thousands of years before Christ. Some form of the labyrinth is found in nearly every culture. In the United States , the Hopi Indians of Arizona call their labyrinth the "Man in the Maze." The labyrinth at Christ Church is based on the pattern found in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, in Chartres , France , and is known as the "Chartres" pattern. It was the form of pilgrimage offered to medieval Christians, when travel to Jerusalem was too difficult. In fact, the center of the labyrinth is known as the "New Jerusalem" or the "City of God ." The Christ Church labyrinth was built on Saturday, March 20, 1999 .  

How Do I Use the Labyrinth?

Pause at the entrance and ask God to direct your prayer. Take a moment to reflect on where you are in your life.

• You may want to enter with a question or problem for which you are seeking guidance.
• Meditate on a scripture.
• Simply silence your mind, letting your senses become aware of your surroundings.
• Let the labyrinth set your pace. You may simply walk, letting the labyrinth slow and calm you, or you may run, skip, or dance your way through. Just be careful of the rocks.
• If you meet someone else on the path, simply step into the adjacent path and allow them to pass.
• If you get confused on your location or progress in the labyrinth, just keep going and you will wind up at either the center or the entrance.
• Pause as you exit the labyrinth and thank God for His presence to you while experiencing the labyrinth.

Take some time to reflect on your labyrinth experience.