email:  whitpresby@charterinternet.com

The Labyrinth at Whittier Presbyterian Church

Community Labyrinth Walk, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, March 19, 2005

Previous Labyrinth programs at Whittier Presbyterian Church.

July 16-17, 2004

“Walking in Jerusalem, Just Like John”

 A retreat using a labyrinth and focused Bible study on Jerusalem.

 Cost

Church Members - $10.00        Non-church members - $25.00

Lunch included in cost.

All events held in Whittier Presbyterian Church Chapel.

 Schedule

Friday, Registration -  6:30 p.m.

Session I, 7:00 to 9:00

Saturday, gathering - 8:30

Session II, 8:45 to 10:45

Break – 10:45 to 11:00

Session III, 11:00 to 1:00

Lunch – 1:00.

You may register for this retreat by cutting the registration form below and pasting it into your word processor.  Fill it our and send it in with your registration fee, as indicated, to the church at the above address.  Or you may cut and paste the registration form into an email, send it to the church's email address.  You may then pay the fee at the door on Friday evening.

April 8 to 12, 2003

              The labyrinth of Los Ranchos Presbyterian will be set up in the Ensign Chapel of Whittier Presbyterian Church from April 8 to 12, 2003.  Here is the schedule for each day.

Tuesday, April 8                                  3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

 Wednesday, April 9                          9:00 A.M. to Noon,      3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

 Thursday, April 10                                3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

 Friday, April 11                                2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Saturday, April 12                                1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

What Is a Labyrinth?

            The labyrinth is an ancient symbol adopted during the Middle Ages for Christian Prayer.  It is NOT a maze, which is full of dead-ends and confusing choices.  The labyrinth is a single winding path to the center and back.  It represents for Christian believers the oneness of God, whose providence guides us through life’s journey.

            Find more information on the Internet, go here:

http://www.gracecathedral.org/labyrinth/index.shtml

  Photos of our setup.

See over for a simple guide to walking a labyrinth.  A more detailed guide will be available at the labyrinth.

A Simple Guide to using a labyrinth.

There are three stages to walking the labyrinth: Purgation, Illumination, and Union.  Purgation is the first part of the path where the details of everyday life are shed, and the mind is made open.  This is the process of prayer that you use while walking into the center of the labyrinth.  It involves opening yourself to God while you walk very slowly into the center of the labyrinth.  This opening up is the key to clearing space within the mind, allowing yourself to experience whatever emotions or thoughts surface during each labyrinth experience.

Illumination is the time spent in the center of the labyrinth, quietly praying and receiving whatever wisdom is forthcoming.  This is a good opportunity to do nothing but listen, to hear what God might be saying to you.

Union occurs as the path is re-walked in reverse, preparing to reenter the world and actualize the new sense of self, or knowledge gained in the labyrinth.  This is the most important stage of the walking process, the taking back into the world whatever your experience has been.  "The labyrinth," says Lauren Artress, the most prolific writer on the use of the labyrinth, "is a place where you can pour your heart out, express your anger, experience joy, express gratitude, and perhaps above all, ask for what you need."

Think about the labyrinth directing you, guiding you; it leads, you follow.  Once inside the center you can really look around and see where you have been, take a look at the path and where it has led you, recognize where you were both physically and emotionally when you entered the labyrinth.  Chances at reflection and perspective, are so rare in our society that they take on extraordinary value for many people.  The chance to stand inside a sheltered space and see the path we are walking is a blessing not to be taken lightly.