The rector of my parish has, literally, laid out a challenge for the congregation during this season. He has asked us to build a labyrinth.
My congregation's worship space, offices, and school sit on twelve acres on the north side of San Antonio. Four of those acres are completely undeveloped, mostly grassy field with a few trees. There are "long-term master plan" sorts of plans for the land, but those plans are years away from fruition.
In the meantime, Chuck wants us to turn the field into a place for prayer.
So, last weekend, three of the ministers of the church went out and staked out the outline of an 11-circuit labyrinth, and placed survey flags in the ground to mark the width of each path. The idea is that the members of the church will bring rocks to line the paths.
The more I think about it, the more I think it's a great idea. For those of you unfamiliar with San Antonio, it's dry, rocky country. There are stones everywhere. You can pick them up off the side of a highway. You can dig down in your front yard about three inches and hit one. When we were placing the survey flags, it was a 50-50 proposition whether there would be enough soil in the right place you wanted to plant the flag for it to stick. Half the time you would go to put the flag in the ground and would hit (you guessed it) rock.
The point is, everybody can participate. Maybe you don't have extra money for world missions or extra time to volunteer, but everybody can find a rock or two... or five, or ten.
My rough estimate of how much we'll need: a little over two thousand feet of rock.
If you're in San Antonio, come particiapte. Bring us a rock, 12 inches long (roughly the size of an american football), head out to the field on the southwest corner of our church grounds, and place your rock next to one of the survey flags.
Current count: 39 rocks.
stay tuned.
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7 comments:
Cool project. Any update to the rock count?
Amazing: unbeknownst to us, over at Gordon (RLP)s church, we're building a labyrinth as well during Lent.
Small world.
terribly-worded comment, that was: what i meant was... well... the "unbeknownst" part was that you guys were also building a labyrinth in the same TX limestone... i ramble... anyway
Hey man, we're doing the same thing at Covenant. I see Paul beat me here to tell the news.
I want to build a labyrinth too! Darn. I'm stuck here in New York. Only a few more weeks, then I'm free.
What a wonderful project to read about.
Bosco
www.liturgy.co.nz
I think that is an incredible idea. As you prayerfully place each rock, contemplate the wonders of creation, ongoing and continuing in all of us. Later, when completed, feel those prayers and meditations rise up like the scent of lavender as the rocks are crushed beneath your feet.
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