LABYRINTH COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
2008/2009
MEMBERSHIP - Committee formed in 2008. Presently has 13 members, and three ex-officio members. Three members are from the Orcas community at large. Our meetings are held on an as-needed basis throughout the year. Committee members are: Nancy Ayer, Chairman, Dick Burghardt, Carl Buttke, Cheryl Danskin, Barbara Evans, Beth Jurgensen, Marguerite Olson, Jan Reid, Louise Tucker, Millie Vetterlein, Mary Poletti, Gwen Stamm, Joan Stamm from the community. Ex-officio members are Leslie Murdock, Tom Murdock and Mike Elliman.
OPEN WALKS conducted and open to everyone:
Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Years’ Eve, World Labyrinth Day “Walk As
One at 1:00.” In addition, open walks were held weekly during June and July.
FACILITATED WALKS conducted for special groups:
Grief Recovery Group (in conjunction with Fonteine Prince’s work.)
Pacifica Graduate Institute – (Rented and shipped Emmanuel Labyrinth)
Orcas High School graduating class baccalaureate.
Marimba Monday Youth Program
Sunday School workshop
TEMPORARY LABYRINTH - Committee designed, built and maintained a temporary painted and limed labyrinth on the lawn between the church and the Parish Hall. This labyrinth was available to all parishioners, members of Orcas community, and visitors for 24/7. It was open for four months. Fall, Winter and early Spring weather conditions make it impossible to maintain on a year round basis.
STUDY AND REPORT - Held a one -year extensive study of permanent labyrinth styles. Received and organized bids from several labyrinth building companies and stonemasons, and contractors. Study culminated in the presentation to the Vestry of detailed written report of four options for their final consideration. A copy of this report is available in the church office.
After considering the option details as outlined in the report, the Vestry unanimously approved the construction of a permanent 7 circuit, modified Chartres-style labyrinth to consist of a path of stone pavers with lines of grass. The design will look something like the following (minus the “lunations” or outer fringe on outside edge):
The photo below shows what the Emmanuel/Community labyrinth will look like. It will have paver paths and grass lines. It will be 39 ft. in diameter.
COMPATABILITY WITH EXISTING GARDENS - With intentions to blend the permanent labyrinth into Emmanuel’s existing gardens, the Committee is in on-going discussions and consultations with landscape designer Robin Kucklick. In the planning of the permanent labyrinth, careful attention is being given to the desire for a multi-use space.
INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE - Committee designed and printed an informational brochure now available to all walkers and other interested persons. Brochures are available in an information box placed on an exterior post of the Parish Hall.
FUND RAISING - Committee commenced preliminary fund-raising meetings. Final details continue to be in the planning stages. A full report will be available in May. Cost of permanent labyrinth is estimated at $35,000, which includes a 25% contingency.
The Vestry has adopted the labyrinth as an outreach ministry of Emmanuel and has agreed to match 50% of the cost.
Committee purchased Louise Tucker’s “Stone Spiral” note cards and are currently making them available for purchase.
VERIDITAS - Committee is closely linked with Veriditas, the world voice for the labyrinth under the leadership of The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress, former Dean of Special Ministries at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. Veriditas serves as an umbrella of integrity and consistency over worldwide labyrinth facilitation. The Emmanuel/Community Labyrinth is listed on the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator list. This year Nancy Ayer was certified as a Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator. She is currently taking advanced study in this area.
PERMIT PROCESS - After one year of communications with Fay Chaffee of the County Permit Department, Committee has permission to go forward without a county permit.
The State Department of Archaeology, however, believes that an excavation permit will be required because, in the process of building the permanent labyrinth, it will be necessary to remove a portion of the existing grass. Discussions are on going. Gil Blinn is assisting the communication and co-ordination between the Vestry and the State.
Halloween Labyrinth 2009
Read Reflections from the Halloween Labyrinth
Then, click in the Dark Center of the Labyrinth to see photos from the evening
Keep Scrolling - You'll Find it All Right Here!
- Emmanuel's Outside labyrinth
- Emmanuel's Indoor labyrinth
- Labyrinth Activities Planned
- Labyrinth Facts
- Learn about Labyrinths
- Labyrinth Committee Update
- Summer Labyrinth on the Lawn
- Marimba Kids and the Labyrinth
This labyrinth is called an 11 circuit Chartres labyrinth. It is an exact copy of the ancient labyrinth built in 1201 which may still be found in Chartres Cathedral, outside Paris, France. Ancient pilgrims walked the Chartres labyrinth. When the dangers of the day made it impossible for pilgrims to make the trek to Jerusalem, they would seek God by walking the Chartres labyrinth. The center of the labyrinth was often called “The New Jerusalem”.
Emmanuel's Temporary Outdoor Labyrinth
“Labyrinths are powerful blueprints that order chaos, offer a path of prayer, heal deep wounds, serve as a place of solace, and transform human consciousness, individually and in community.” The Rev. Lauren Artress.
Emmanuel's Portable Indoor Labyrinth
Labyrinth Activities Planned
1. Halloween/All Souls Labyrinth Walk – Saturday, Oct 31 –
Adult only meditative walk: 4-5 PM
Costumed children and all ages walk: 5-6:30 PM. Soup and soul bread served after
5:00.
2. Thanksgiving Walk – Open to all - Saturday, Nov. 28, 3-5 PM
3. New Years Eve Walk with special music– Open to all – Thursday, Dec. 31: 4-6 PM
4. Day of Contemplative Practices – Date not yet chosen – but to coincide with beginning of Lent (Feb. 17) or held sometime during the Lenten season (Feb. 17-Apr. 4).
- An offering of various contemplative opportunities – Labyrinth, Centering Prayer, Meditation, Knitting/Quilting/Hand work, Reading, Writing, Contemplative Art.
--An all day affair to be held in various rooms at Emmanuel Church.
- Open to the parish and public alike.
- End day with a Taize service in the church sanctuary.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator sponsored by Veriditas* and the Labyrinth Society, there are 75 labyrinths in the state of Washington. The probability is that there are many more that have not been registered.
There are 44 found in conference centers, museums, schools, public parks, hospitals, and private gardens. There are 10 people who travel with canvas labyrinths. The Army Corps of Engineers has a labyrinth in Bridgeport.
There are 30 labyrinths found in churches, with the majority found in Episcopal churches.
The breakdown for churches is as follows:
Episcopal – 14
Unity – 4
Lutheran – 3
Congregational – 3
Methodist – 1
Catholic – 1
Baptist – 1
Community Church, Seattle – 1
Christian Church – 1
Center for Spiritual Living – 1
VERIDITAS – a word first coined by 12th century Catholic Nun, visionary, and mystic Hildegard von Bingen. It means a greening of the soul, a renewal, a rebirth – in short, a change for the better.
• The vision of Veriditas, The World-Wide Labyrinth Project, is to activate and facilitate the transformation of the Human Spirit. Veriditas' work to transform the Human Spirit centers around the Labyrinth Experience as a personal practice for healing and growth, a tool for community building, an agent for global peace and a metaphor for the blossoming of the Spirit in our lives. Veriditas offers events in the United States and the annual Walking a Sacred Path program at Chartres Cathedral in France.
• Veriditas - Veriditas, The Voice of the Labyrinth Movement, was founded in 1996 by Lauren Artress, and is a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing people to the healing, meditative powers of the labyrinth.
Want to learn more about Labyrinths?
Check out these great sites:
Welcome to Veriditas (http://www.veriditas.org/) Also, see article about meaning of Veriditas
Books about the labyrinth (http://www.paxworks.com/books.html)
List of labyrinths in Washington State
(http://labyrinthlocator.com/locate-a-labyrinth-results?action=locate&country=&organization=&state=WA)
Labyrinth Network Northwest (http://www.labyrinthnetworknorthwest.org/newsletter.html)
A complete list about labyrinths (http://labyrinthsociety.org/resources)
Grace Cathedral and the labyrinths. (http://www.gracecathedral.org/community/labyrinths/)
A virtual lesson on how to draw a labyrinth (http://www.lessons4living.com/drawing.htm)
The Chartres Cathedral labyrinth (http://www.labyrinthos.net/photo_library14.html)
The Numerology of the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth (http://www.johnjames.com.au/chartres-thelabyrinth.shtml)
Labyrinth and alzheimers. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3830/is_10_50/ai_79355490/)
Books to browse:
Scriptures to think on:
* LABYRINTH ON THE LAWN *
SUMMER 2009
A HIT WITH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE!
The labyrinth committee offered the labyrinth experience to the entire Orcas community. The labyrinth serves as an ecumenical bridge connecting all faiths, cultures and beliefs to the One great God, to the Unity and Oneness of our universe.
The crew laid out the temporary lime labyrinth on the lawn between the church and Parish Hall in preparation for last Sunday's "Labyrinth on the Lawn". The Garden Gang had just been in to help make everything look beautiful and the weather was wonderful for the event! The walk was open to the community and was very well attended.
The labyrinth committee offers the labyrinth experience to the entire Orcas community.
What Happens When You Mix An Irresistible Labyrinth and The Monday Marimba Kids?
Click on the center of the Labyrinth to find out!
