10.21.15 … And it was true, as I walked I felt the joy of the children …

“Solvitur Ambulando” – It is solved by walking, 2015 Labyrinth Walks, St.John’s Cathedral (Episcopal), Denver CO:

In search of a labyrinth …

I planned to  walk to it as it was  a little over a mile, but when I stepped out the door it was pouring. So I opted for Uber.

This was supposed to be an easy labyrinth to walk. It was in a park across the street from the Episcopal Cathedral and I assumed it would be a standard Chartres labyrinth.

When I arrived it was still pouring. I walked over to the gate of Dominick Park, and it was padlocked. I walked all around to see if there was entrance that was open, but there was  none. I walked back across the street the Cathedral and there was a homeless man laying under the shallow entranceway.

 I followed the signs around to the entrance to the offices of the Cathedral and entered and asked if it was possible that a custodian open the gates to the park. The receptionist  responded that the park was only open on Sundays because they had a problem with vandals using the park for the wrong purposes. (I immediately thought of the homeless man on their front door step and of the Homeless Jesus sculpture at St. Alban’s in Davidson.) The receptionist after talking with me for a minute said she would go and find the sexton. I was following her when she turned and said, “But you know we have another labyrinth.”

She got very excited. This labyrinth with built several summers ago with pavers made by children in their summer program, half came from the parish and half came on scholarship from the inner city.

I immediately responded that I would walk that labyrinth because I knew the other one and had walked several just like it in the past week.

As we walked, for some reason I mentioned that I was from NC and had gone to Davidson. She responded that they had a priest who had gone to Davidson.  I gave her my card to give to the Davidson grad.

So we walk out to the side lawn and there buried in the grass are the pavers which form the boundaries of the labyrinth. The pavers have stones and handprints and other things that each child imbedded in their special paver.  (Erika Funk and Katherine Kerr another idea for the lawn at FPC.)

I told the receptionist that this was a much better labyrinth for my purposes. You feel the love of the community when you walk such a labyrinth.

And it was true, as I walked I felt the joy of the children.

And this experience reminded me of a recent quote I read:

“‘When Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belonged to the children, he was referring to agape in the form of enthusiasm. Children were attracted to him, not because they understood his miracles, his wisdom, or his Pharisees and apostles. They went to him in joy, moved by enthusiasm…

Source: The Pilgrimage (1987) by Paulo Coelho & the Invisible World | CG FEWSTON

  .

And afterwards I got to have a lovely New Orleans style brunch at Lucille’s  on a Wednesday late morning with Jack and his good  college friend Jessie.

All in all I delightful morning in Denver. I’m not gonna let a little rain get me down.

And after I returned I had a nice note from the fellow Davidsonian. It’s a small world.

October 21, 2015

10.20.15 … So although no labyrinth walk, a nice tour of historic churches in downtown Denver.

“Solvitur Ambulando” – It is solved by walking, 2015 Labyrinth Walks, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (now Trinity UMC), The Central Presbyterian Church, Denver CO:

In search of a labyrinth …

Trinity United Methodist Church is a block from the Brown Palace Hotel. I can see it when I exit. It has a unique steeple because it covered in the same stone as the exterior of the church.. draws you to the church.

This Church owns a canvas labyrinth but is not currently available and the church administrator said she didn’t even know where it was because the church is under constant construction.

She suggested I go see the sanctuary. I’m glad I did. Just one of the most gorgeous dark sanctuaries that I have ever seen. And the stained glass windows are in shades of brown and red. It just works here. I spent about half hour in the sanctuary looking at all the woodwork, the brass work, the stained glass windows and of course absolutely gorgeous Roosevelt organ. I’ll attach some information to this.

Afterwards I headed to the the Central Presbyterian Church. Its labyrinth is also a canvas one, but is generally only available on Wednesdays midday. An administrator showed me his gorgeous sanctuary and gave me a brief tour of the rest of the public areas and gave me a brief history.

So although no labyrinth walk, a nice tour of historic churches in downtown Denver.

October 20, 2015

10.7.15 … “Labyrinths are not merely art forms, decorative patterns or community events. They are transformative vehicles that integrate the energies of the Earth and the Cosmic Realm. Owning a Labyrinth is a commitment to Mother Earth, a sharing of love energy. Marty is convinced: In order to remain transformative, a labyrinth must be walked. In order for human beings to remain whole, we must learn to integrate our own growth path with the vital Life Force within Nature.”

“Solvitur Ambulando” – It is solved by walking, 2015 Labyrinth Walks,

South Tryon Community Church:

RIP … I knew it might happen, but I just kept hoping the community would embrace this Boy Scout Eagle Project labyrinth. I don’t know for sure that it will never return, the bricks are stacked over in the corner and it could be re-created. But I wonder if the energy is gone.

I had search earlier today for some information on the use of labyrinths in South Africa. I remembered from a lecture several years ago that in South Africa in particular they were used for the purpose of healing and sharing space. While searching for that information, I stumbled across this:

“Labyrinths are not merely art forms, decorative patterns or community events. They are transformative vehicles that integrate the energies of the Earth and the Cosmic Realm. Owning a Labyrinth is a commitment to Mother Earth, a sharing of love energy. Marty is convinced: In order to remain transformative, a labyrinth must be walked. In order for human beings to remain whole, we must learn to integrate our own growth path with the vital Life Force within Nature.”

http://www.martycain.com/labyrinth.html

I’m not saying I agree about it with everything in this person’s comment, but there is something special about a labyrinth and the energy that gets placed there when it is used and shared. I hated to seethat energy disappear into a pile in the corner.

After I left the labyrinth space, I looked up and I saw one of those cars that was completely covered in advertising. I was a little taken back by the name when I read the next line:

“Paws whiskers and wags – a pet crematory”

It was the “… and wags” that got me.

I decided that since I needed to stay in the downtown area that I would go to Wednesday Connect at my church. I was encouraged by Lisa Dillard to listen to Dr. Natalie Connor, speak on History of Social Welfare and Inequality in America (Dr. Natalie Conner, FPC Parish Social Worker will help us understand how faith and charity intersect; explore the evolution of the myths of the “Welfare Queen” and “Toxic Charity”, and examine choices and commitments to move forward as a community.)

Thank you Lisa Dillard for encouraging me to go. It was the right place for me to be tonight.

I have a lot of thoughts racing in my mind …

10.7.15

10.6.15 … Did you know that Fitz attached to a name means “bastard of”? That makes Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pride and Prejudice an even funnier name …

“Solvitur Ambulando” – It is solved by walking, 2015 Labyrinth Walks, Sardis Baptist – Charlotte NC, We Walk Together Charlotte:

I love it when my worlds collide. Today on the 18th We Walk Together Charlotte, I introduced some new friends to labyrinths.

But first we had another wonderful inspirational reading from Gail:

 “As we stand here in the parking lot of a Baptist church, let’s think for a moment about one of the things that baptist churches consider very important: baptism, specifically in many cases, baptism by immersion – which means your whole body goes under the water. As we walk together this morning, let’s talk about things we often need to do or learn by immersion. The first example that comes to mind for me is language learning. You have to put yourself in a place and situation where the only language you can use is the target language, the one you are trying to learn. Are there situations in our lives that force us to learn by immersion? For example, intimate relationships or parenting. Perhaps certain jobs. Perhaps an unwanted diagnosis or a natural disaster or some other challenging circumstance. There’s no escape – you just have to jump in and deal with it, as hard as it may be. What are some of the good and not-so-good life lessons you have learned through baptism by immersion?”   

Our walk started/ended at Providence Baptist Church and we walked to Sardis Baptist Church and back (3 miles roundtrip).

A great walk with great people on a beautiful day!!

And I learned something new … Did you know that Fitz attached to a name means “bastard of”? That makes Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pride and Prejudice an even funnier name. And I thought it sounded snobby!! (I have a cat named Fitzwilliam Darcy; he came from the animal shelter.)

10.6.15