On the evening of September 29, 1996, in the Chapel, East Liberty Presbyterian Church conducted a Service of Dedication for its first labyrinth, led by the Rev. Dr. Robert Chesnut and the Rev. Hydie Houston, followed by an inaugural opportunity to walk the labyrinth. That evening marked the beginning of a now 22-year Labyrinth Ministry here at ELPC. This ministry has introduced our congregation to the prayerful practice of walking a sacred path, and has also become an outreach ministry to our community, the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding tri-state area. Acquiring additional labyrinths over the years has allowed us to share them with many churches and organizations (Robert Morris University, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, and at events like the University of Pittsburgh Mindfulness Fair).
For the past several years, we have had four cotton canvas labyrinths in varying sizes. A couple of these are now in well-loved but heavily worn condition. So today we are retiring one of these labyrinths from our official labyrinth ministry and handing it over to the Children and Youth Ministry to offer opportunities for creative prayer to our young people.
In conjunction with our Bicentennial Celebration, we are also dedicating two new labyrinths. Constructed of poly-vinyl canvas, these new models are washable and lighter. One of these will now be our largest (top photo). It is a 38-foot, 4.5-inch Chartres-style labyrinth with spruce (teal) lines on a white background. The other will be our smallest at 21 feet, 9 inches in the St Paul a la Chartres–style with rainbow colors on white.
These new labyrinths will be dedicated during our Sanctuary worship service on Sunday, May 12, and then they will be available in the Courtyard (weather permitting). Come help us to inaugurate these new additions to this ministry of prayer!