About Our Labyrinth
The Labyrinth is a mystical symbol found in all religious traditions on all continents for nearly 4,000 years. There are two typical types of labyrinths: the maze, with repeatedly divided paths, and the meander, with a single, undivided path.
The Labyrinth at First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso is a meandering labyrinth. The single path is designed to lead you to the Center. Our Labyrinth is a replica of the early 13th century Labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France.
Cards with the five stages mentioned below are available at our welcome desk during normal office hours. Before walking the labyrinth, you are welcome to pick up a card to have with you as an aid to understanding. Enter the main doors at the Franklin Street entrance.
A Memorial The people of First United Methodist Church offer this Labyrinth and Memorial Garden to the Valparaiso community for prayerful meditation in memory of one of our teenagers, Laura Stilwell.
Walking the Five Stages
1.) Crossing the Threshold Before stepping into the Labyrinth ponder before God one centering question such as: Why have I come? What are the deep desires of my heart? Am I here on behalf of another?
2.) Releasing Move toward the Center, letting go of the details of life. Some questions to aid Releasing: What do I need to relinquish? What path am I on? What needs to move? What is dying?
3.) Illumination The Center is a place for meditation and prayer. Ask. Seek. Knock. Breathe deeply, be quiet, stay as long as you like, and receive what God holds out to you.
4.) Union Walk from the Center united with God and empowered for your journey. Some unifying questions: What is being resurrected? Where am I going? Who can help me? What must I be or do? What do I need to accept or deny?
5.) Crossing The Threshold Pause and ponder before re-entering the world. A focusing question might be: What have I left behind? Where am I heading? What is clear to me? Am I ready to move on?
Be Free A person can walk on and off a labyrinth at will; it is okay and sometimes advisable to go to the center without taking the pathway. Walking around the outside of the labyrinth can be as valuable as walking around its inside. The possibilities are endless.