Our Emmanuel Labyrinth

By Margaret Philbrick                                                                 Spring 2025

In the early 2,000's, Emmanuel's high school group participated in an Episcopal class called "Journey to Adulthood", led by Andy Rosane. The class discussed how labyrinth paths, through many ages and cultures, represent journeys and pilgrimages. The high schoolers were led to reflect on the many paths open to them into adulthood.

The group visited several local labyrinths, of various styles, and took some hikes together that resembled the labyrinth, walking single file on a winding path in the woods, with space between them to provide thinking/ feeling/seeing time.

They also studied several other well-known labyrinths such as the labyrinth on the floor of Chartre Cathedral, 90 km west of Paris. During the Crusades this provided a surrogate means by which Christians could support the spread of Christianity.

Our Emmanuel Labyrinth follows the same pattern as the one in Chartre Cathedral. A walker starts at the straight beginning, then winds forward along the pathway. Our Emmanuel Labyrinth is made of a concrete base, upon which pavers designate the pathway. Between the pavers one sees a mix of pea gravel, crushed gravel, sand, and moss. An occasional plant has seeded in the channels between the pavers.

The Journey to Adulthood group included Dana Shephard, Ginny Steinbach, Miles Godwin, Gabe Godwin, and Carrie Philbrick, among others. Accompanying adults included Tom Reynolds, Margaret Philbrick, The Rev. Carla Valentine Pryne, and The Rev. Randy Gardner.

Emmanuel supported the idea of building a labyrinth on Emmanuel property for use by all interested in a thoughtful walk. Peter Davis Builders laid the cement foundation and placed pavers atop. Most of the path is one paver wide. The wider outer part of the path is three pavers wide. This wide section provides an opportunity to circle the labyrinth on crutches or by way of a wheelchair or tricycle.

Walkers enter from the sidewalk on the East side of the labyrinth. Many walkers go solo. In organized group walks, people usually walk in silence or with predetermined calm, quiet music.

Walkers follow the paver path as it leads to the heart of the labyrinth. Most often they follow each other in a line. Sometimes people walking at different speeds pass each other, with agreement among walkers before starting.

When in the center, a walker may choose to take a relaxing look to North, South, East, and West., and then when ready, head down the pavers to the East, and find the way back the way to the beginning.

Many walkers will gather thoughts and feelings for a moment before moving off into their day.