The Labyrinth
11/24/2015
Anyone who has been to the Conference Center in the last month or so may have noticed work being done at the back of the property. I am excited to share with you what was being constructed.
About two years ago Bishop Bickerton shared with Jessica Gamache, our camping coordinator, and I a vision for a labyrinth at the Conference Center. He saw the need for an area devoted to more than business or busyness, a vision to add a sacred space. A space where visitors to the conference center would be invited to take a journey. We chose a labyrinth in a design that is a replica of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France.
What is a labyrinth? A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering, but purposeful, path. It represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. It is not a maze, something that traps or confuses, it is a journey of surrender.. an invitation to walk towards a holy mystery.
If you would like to walk the labyrinth, please do so. We have “walking guides” in the program wing of the center, specifically outside my office. The guide provides some helpful prompts, but is not needed because there is no right or wrong way to take the labyrinth journey.
Work will continue around the labyrinth, mainly landscaping. A temporary path to the labyrinth will be put in soon with a finished paver walkway to be installed at a later date. A formal dedication will take place sometime in the spring.
Please take advantage of this wonderful addition to our space. If you have any questions about the labyrinth, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Solvitur Ambulando… it is solved by walking (Augustine).
