First United Church | An inclusive Christian community in Bloomington, Indiana "Feed my sheep"  
11-Circuit Labyrinth

"Labyrinths are mysterious because we do not know the origin of their design, or exactly how they provide a space that allow clarity."

"There is nothing magical about the labyrinth.  It simply allows our consciousness to open so that deeper, and perhaps new, parts of ourselves can speak to us more directly."

-Lauren Artress, Walking a Sacred Path

THE WALK IN

PEACE LABYRINTH

 

 

Our Labyrinth

First United's Walk in Peace Labyrinth was a gift from our PARTNERS program and is the work of many hands. It was built beginning in September 2005 with donated materials and volunteer labor given to create this sacred space. It is of the medieval type with eleven circuits. The mulch paths are outlined with limestone riprap. A dedication ceremony was held in May 2006. It is located at the back of our property behind the fenced playground. Access is available from the back parking lot. It is open to walk year round at anytime. There are benches and shade trees; bring a journal and perhaps a cup of coffee! Sunrise , sunset, and twilight are delightful times to walk.

                

              

                              

 

About Labyrinths

A labyrinth is a prayer tool found in many cultures and religious traditions around the world. They have been used as spiritual tools for over 3500 years. Within the Christian tradition, labyrinths were located at cathedrals during the Middle Ages when it became too dangerous for people to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem . These labyrinths were symbolic pilgrimages. Today, labyrinths are used by people of many faith traditions (and no particular faith tradition) as a form of walking meditation, a form of contemplative prayer.

 

Walking the Labyrinth

           

The labyrinth is an ancient design enlarged into a walking path for prayer and meditation. It has only one winding path, with no tricks or decisions to be made. Walkers simply follow the path to the center, emptying their minds and hearts of worries and concerns as they proceed , stop for a time in the center and then follow the same path to the entrance/exit. Its winding path invites us to reflect and discover. The same path leads you back out. Labyrinths lead you invariably to the center--of the labyrinth, of yourself--and then lead you back out again.

Walking a labyrinth can be an aid to discernment, healing and forgiveness. It can be a place of celebration. Because of their therapeutic value, they are being used in hospitals, playgrounds, retreat settings, and correctional institutions.

          

Open Walks

You are welcome to walk the labyrinth at any time.

Monthly guided walks will be scheduled beginning in September 2007. Check back here for a schedule soon.

 

Private Walks

The Walk in Peace Labyrinth is available for private walks for groups and individuals by appointment. . For more information or to schedule a private walk, contact the First United Church Labyrinth Ministry Team, a group of individuals interested in introducing people to the labyrinth and providing programming to encourage people to deepen their labyrinth practice.