Labyrinth encourages meandering
Associated Press
08/16/09 12:10 AM EDT
HAGERSTOWN, MD. — A plaque fastened to a large, flat stone is at the center of the outdoor Cretan labyrinth at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown.
The plaque's words express the effect that the late Sharon Rucker had on the growth and health of the church she so dearly loved. The 58-year-old Rucker died in May 2008.
The stone that holds the plaque also is a tribute to Rucker and her beloved congregation. It was the bottom step of the church's former location on North Potomac Street, and was saved 12 years ago during the move to Cearfoss Pike.
"She made a difference here," said Yvonne Pfoutz, a longtime member of the congregation.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, the outdoor labyrinth was available for members and visitors wishing to meander in their meditations. Inside the meeting room, a Faith in Action fair was being conducted.
"A lot of people come here just for the labyrinths," Pfoutz said.
The outdoor version was built in 2003 and opened to the public the next year. In December 2004, church members created an indoor labyrinth, which is a Chartres pattern that is 22 feet in diameter. The pattern is named for the Chartres cathedral in France, which has that pattern labyrinth in the church floor.
Children often race through the outdoor labyrinth at breakneck speed. Adults tend to take their time; some pause along the way. Any way is acceptable, Pfoutz said.
The labyrinths are usually open on the second Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
A pamphlet is given to walkers. It says labyrinths have been in existence for thousands of years, and appear in nearly every culture and religion in the world.
The theory is that labyrinths encourage people to take a meandering path of the spirit, rather than the shortest distance between two points.
"I found it relaxing and easy to follow," Michael Holland said as he completed the journey.
While he attends services regularly at the Unitarian Church, Holland said Sunday was the first time he walked the labyrinth. He said he enjoyed the experience and intends to repeat it.
On the Net:
http://www.uuhagerstownmd.org/
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Information from: The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., http://www.herald-mail.com
