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Labyrinth
To Those Who Would Walk St. Luke’s Labyrinth
We welcome you to a place for prayer and meditation.
The labyrinth has a single path for walking into and returning from the center. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has no false turns or blind alleys. You cannot get lost.
Start at the entrance and let go of your cares and concerns. Walk silently, at your own pace, pausing for reflection whenever you wish. Be open to any insight or guidance you receive.
If you encounter other walkers, pass them or let them pass you.
When you reach the center, stay as long as you like. Return on the same path to complete this spiritual pilgrimage.
Labyrinth walkers have many different reactions. Often they find comfort and spiritual refreshment in the experience, and many want to return again to walk in the sacred space.
We welcome your return.
Labyrinths…Then and Now
The labyrinth as a sacred symbol has been used by many cultures and religious traditions. Examples of different labyrinths have been found at ancient sites throughout the world as widely distant as Scandinavia, Great Britain, Mexico, and India. Some are 3700 years old and their origins remain a mystery.
There are many other forms of labyrinths, but all offer deep spiritual, emotional, and physical comfort to those who take advantage of this powerful yet calming experience. The labyrinth can allow us to focus on the present moment and can enable us to assist in providing the energy, the vision and the courage to act on it.
During the Middle Ages labyrinths were created on the floors of many European cathedrals to be walked as a substitute for the great Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Of these the most famous is in France at Chartres. The idea of using the labyrinth as a walking meditation was introduced to this country by Dr. Lauren Artress, canon at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco when she copied the design of the Chartres Cathedral’s 11-circuit labyrinth onto a portable canvas floor covering. The St. Luke’s labyrinth is modeled on this design.
History of St. Luke's Labyrinth
 In 1999 a small group of St. Luke's parishioners gathered to explore their interest in labyrinth walking. Once they shared the calming experiences of walking the labyrinth with their fellow parishioners, a workshop was held using a painted canvas labyrinth. From these shared experiences, interest in building a permanent outdoor labyrinth in connection with the Memorial Garden grew.
St. Luke's has a long history of outreach to the healing communities in the area, most notably in the sponsorship and support of St. Luke's House, a successful land renowned agency for those recovering from mental illness. The labyrinth continues that tradition by creating a space that allows people in the community as well as parishioners to reconnect themselves with each other, and with the natural world - a space that would provide opportunities for healing.
We offer the labyrinth as a source of comfort to our neighbors, to the congregation of other churches in the Bethesda area, and to the patients and families of the healing institutions that surround St. Luke's.
Our labyrinth is a 60' diameter, 11-circuit turf design with pavers for delineation of the lines and turns and is surrounded by a 5' foot wide grass concourse and planting beds. The design, provided by The Labyrinth Company, Baltimore, MD, is based on a 13th century turf labyrinth on the grounds of Breamore House in England and is similar to the design at Chartres Cathedral in France. We chose turf to best harmonize with the Memorial Garden and the wetlands along Old Georgetown as well as for the committee members who wanted to be able walk barefoot and feel the earth under their feet.
The Labyrinth at St. Luke's Episcopal Church is open to the community during daylight hours. Lighting for early evening use is planned for the future. A 36" square finger labyrinth of the same design is available at the entrance, so the physically and visually impaired can also share the experience.
The labyrinth has taken an important place in our parish life. There have been several candlelight walks - one on October 11, 2001 in conjunction with other labyrinths in the areas to commemorate the events of September 11, and two more during Advent as part of contemplative Eucharists. In addition, a number of parishioners, young and older, walked the labyrinth as part of Samaritan Ministry's walk for the homeless.
Construction of St Luke's labyrinth was made possible by a generous grant from the TKF Foundation and was completed by Greenovations, Inc. of Halethrope, MD. Construction started on March 12, 2001, and was dedicated to the parish on Palm Sunday, April 7, 2001 with a special service in combination with liturgy of the palms. It was attended by Tom and Kitty Stoner, the benefactors of the TKF Foundation, and followed by an elegant reception after the service with 'labyrinth cookies'.
On June 3 2001, the labyrinth was opened to the public, and is now available for walking. A bench and experience book from TKF are in place.
St Luke's Church and the Labyrinth committee are very grateful to all those who have supported this venture, either by their prayers, their energies or those who wrote letters of support for the TKF grant, including representatives from St. Luke’s House, the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, and Suburban Hospital.
A Prayer Asking God’s Blessing
Bless this labyrinth and all who walk it, O God. By the power of your Holy Spirit, make this a safe path, a path of discovery, a holy path. May all who walk this path be strengthened to serve all creation in your name.
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