The Labyrinth

Did you discover the new labyrinth at Kingswood last summer? For a number of years Kingswood used a portable labyrinth made out of rope set up near the craft area. When the new dam was built, part of that space was lost, so we decided to construct a different kind of labyrinth in a new spot.

On July 5th, Linda Mellor and Dale Meck, along with Holly Moore and Tracy Moore, laid out a seven-circuit path, patterned on the well-known Christian labyrinth design built into the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France more than 800 years ago. Once we had figured out where to place the paths, Mike Weinlein mowed through the grass to the center and then installed a large rock in the middle for a place to pause and meditate. Initially, the grass and flowers in the field were quite low, but by the end of the summer, labyrinth walkers were walking right among tall Goldenrod plants, Astor, St. John’s Wort, Pearly Everlasting, Indian Paintbrush, and Yarrow.

We would love to have campers contribute to our labyrinth by bringing colorful perennials from home that would survive in a field in full sun, without much watering. We’ll leave a shovel and a bucket for watering near the entrance so you can plant the flowers that you’ve brought as soon as you arrive. Suggestions are Black-eyed Susans, Queen Anne’s Lace, more colored Yarrow, Cone Flower (or Echinacea), Bee Balm, Shasta or Montauk Daisies, and Phlox. With your help we can make our labyrinth walk a living garden, a spot where many people have planted a part of themselves, and a place where it feels like we walk with God. Franklyn Torres donated the lovely chair that sits at the entrance to the Labyrinth for walking preparation and reflection.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it. Isaiah 30:21