Hanover's Labyrinth is No Maze of Confusion
First Congregational UCC invites the community to find rest for the soul
 Pause. Clear your mind. Focus on your breathing. Feel the warmth of the campfire on the cool summer night. Relax. Slowly put one foot in front of the other. Listen to what you are being invited to release or surrender.
On Wednesday evenings, First Congregational UCC in Hanover invites the community to experience its outdoor fire walk labyrinth.
According to the Rev. Mr. Donald Remick, Senior Pastor at First Congregational, a labyrinth is a form of walking meditation, a path of prayer. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral to form a circuitous walking path that meanders from the entry to the center and back out again. Unlike a maze, which has multiple paths and dead ends, a labyrinth has only one path. Walking a maze requires constant intellectual effort to find your way, but the labyrinth allows you to relax your mind.
"In our techno-savvy world of blackberries, cell phones, instant messaging and everything on-demand, it's a challenge to find the quiet time to reflect and relax," Remick wrote on the church website. "Walking the labyrinth can calm, quiet, and center the soul. As you walk, your body moves into a peaceful rhythm of contemplation. The twists and turns of the labyrinth are a metaphor for life's journey."
Thanks to the generosity of both an anonymous donor and a boy scout, First Congregational offers several opportunities to walk the labyrinth.
A donated 36' portable, canvas labyrinth is available on a regular monthly schedule in the parish hall. Before the first step was taken, however, congregation members inscribed prayers, quotes from scripture, hymns, hopes and dreams, and even artwork, on the borders of the labyrinth path. The inscriptions were then painted over so they are permanently embedded in the labyrinth. Those who wish to experience the labyrinth but are unable to walk, can trace the labyrinth pattern with a finger labyrinth tool available during indoor labyrinth hours.
The outdoor labyrinth located behind the hall, was created as an Eagle Scout project. It was built by Ryan Brenner of Troop One, Hanover, with the help of other scouts and church members in consultation with the church. On Wednesday evenings, firelights surround the labyrinth and a campfire is set up in the middle.
"Our experience is different for each labyrinth," explained Remick. "Our indoor labyrinth is set up regularly twice a month and draws 2-7 people each time. However, during Advent and on Good Friday when a harpist plays in the background and refreshments are offered, it has drawn up to 70 people." The outdoor labyrinth is always open and 3- 5 'regulars' and 'just curious' walk it daily, with anywhere from 2-12 people walking it by firelight." The church leaves brochures at the labyrinths that explain the meaning, design, and purpose of labyrinths as well as provides information about the church community.
While there is no particular experience that is supposed to happen when walking the labyrinth, many people find it has a calming and guiding effect. It can bring about a sense of relaxation, balance, inspiration and a deepened spiritual awareness.
"Many people drive in to read the sign to see what's going on, but don't get out," he said. "However, what is interesting about the outdoor labyrinth is its appeal to people who are not churched. For example, one day I came out to do some spring planting of flowers and found a young family there: mom, dad and 8-year old. As I was planting, the 8-year old began running around the labyrinth. Mom told her it was a quiet place for walking and prayer. I quietly told the mom that kids often run the labyrinth and it was fine if she did. Mom replied, 'Oh no, this is a Holy Place. And I really want to thank the church for creating this Holy Place for the community.' That is exactly what the labyrinth ministry is about."
Remick shared another interesting experience. "On Wednesday evenings, I usually play quiet instrumental music from my car. One week it was overcast and foggy with drizzle in the forecast so I didn't set up the fire walk -- but I did stop by on my way to an evening meeting. A young man had parked his truck and was loudly playing heavy rock music as he walked the labyrinth and sipped coffee. Again, it is the perfect offering of a spiritual home for different expressions of the soul in our community and culture. You don't have to come into someone's building or scheduled worship or program."
"Our sign says it best as it quotes the first part of Jeremiah 6:16," Remick said. "'Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.'"
The Rev. Mr. Donald Remick, senior pastor at First Congregational UCC in Hanover can be reached at the church office at: 515 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA, (781) 826-4762, or email Office@FCCHanoverUCC.org.
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