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 Calvary,
under the direction of the Arts in Ministry Committee, has
recently constructed a Peace Garden featuring a Labyrinth.
Christ commissioned humanity to carry God's peace into the
world. It is in this spirit that we dedicate the Peace
Garden to Calvary Church and to the Community.
The Labyrinth
A labyrinth is a meditation path with a single winding
walkway from the outside edge to the center. The same
circuitous path is used to return to the outside.
Labyrinths have been around for over 4000 years and are
found in just about every major religious tradition in the
world. During the crusades, labyrinths in the floors of
cathedrals were used to symbolically represent the
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Today, labyrinths are being
used for reflection, meditation, prayer and comfort. They
are found in many sizes and shapes, and are created using a
wide variety of materials such as stone, earth mounds,
vegetation, or sand.
Four Seasons Garden
The labyrinth featured in the Calvary Peace Garden is
composed of seven circuits divided into four quadrants of a
circle. Each quadrant is surrounded by a variety plantings
to create a four seasons garden, highlighting plants with
special interest in the spring, summer, winter, and fall.
At the center of the labyrinth is a large circular area for
resting, prayer, and mediation.
Walking the Labyrinth
There is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth so each
person’s walk is a unique, personal experience. Some people
come to the labyrinth with questions, others just to slow
down and take time out from a busy life. Some come to find
strength to take a next step. Many come during times of
grief and loss. Some people walk with the intention of
addressing an issue in their lives, others to pray, reflect,
and meditate.
Use the labyrinth in any way that meets your needs while
being respectful of others who may also be walking the path,
passing others or allowing them to step around you.
Here are some ideas to help you prepare for your labyrinth
experience:
· Pause
before you enter the labyrinth to center your thoughts on
your intention.
· Walking
from the outside to the center is a time of letting go,
quieting thoughts, and being present with one’s self and
with God.
· Arriving
at the center, the most sacred part of the labyrinth, pause
to pray, reflect, and meditate.
· Walking
the path out of the labyrinth is a time to allow God’s
Spirit to empower you to transform your life and your
actions.
Our hope is that you will leave the Peace Garden with a
renewed vision and a refreshed spirit.
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