A Garden Labyrinth

On June 16, 2022, our hearts were broken when three faithful parishioners were violently taken from us. Collectively embraced by the larger community and inspired by those we lost, we believe that love is the only path forward as we continue to welcome, invite, forgive, and to serve.

This proposed garden labyrinth will be a place of prayer and pilgrimage, of reflection and peace, for all who seek it. It is, also, a remembrance for the lives of Bart Rainey, Jane Pounds, and Sharon Yeager. May its path nurture our entire community leading us to a wholeness of spirit that diminishes the darkness.

Our goal is to strengthen our connection to the community by providing a tranquil labyrinth garden, where those from the community and the church may find peace through meditation and prayer. The labyrinth will be accessible and available to everyone who would like to walk, pray, or find a quiet space to reflect.

Schedule

Our goal is to complete construction by June 16, 2023, when the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, visits Saint Stephen’s to be with us on this first anniversary.

Design

• The labyrinth is a five-circuit wheelchair accessible octagon.

• A stone wall with three sheet fountains encloses the garden’s east side.

• Contrasting stone pavers define the paths to the center, which features a sand blasted trefoil design on the center stone.

• Curved free-form wooden slat benches and a covered narrow porch are to the south.

• A bronze plaque will commemorate the tragedy we experienced as a community.

• Four sweet bay magnolia trees, ground covering, flowering shrubs, and evergreens will shape the garden.

Scan this QR code for more information about the Saint Stephen’s labyrinth project or to make a gift.

What’s up with God’s backyard, you ask?

Bishop Prior, Assisting Bishop

One of the first things Bishop G asked of me when I arrived in Alabama last year was to walk with Camp McDowell. As we were just coming out of the pandemic, Camp, like every other organization in the service and hospitality world, was struggling. As such, the first order of business was to get Camp financially stable. Thanks to the hard work of Interim Executive Director Whitney Moore-Shea, the camp staff, and camp treasurer Phyllis Hall, Camp is now in a strong financial position.

The second order of business was to fill beds. The great news is summer camp, Farm School, the Environmental Center, Folk School and rental groups showed up in abundance. Happy to report in 2022 Camp McDowell hosted over 30,000 people! With Camp thriving again, the time is right to begin imagining the next season at Camp McDowell. It is a critical time in the life of Camp to pull the lens back and take a full view of all aspects of Camp McDowell’s life. Central to this endeavor is to provide an opportunity for everyone who chooses to give voice to their past and present experience of Camp and to dream about what the Spirit is inviting us to in the next season of Camp McDowell. To date we have offered six different in -person listening sessions throughout the Diocese, and an online version which has had over 150 responses. All of this information will now be given to a discernment team to begin putting together themes and dreams for the future of Camp McDowell. Stay tuned, and as this information becomes available, we will share the next proposed steps based on all of the great information that has been gathered. Thank you to all who have contributed! In these exciting times, as always, please keep Camp McDowell in your prayers.

We are celebrating by inviting everyone to Camp McDowell from May 26-28th for many fun activities. This is the same weekend as Primary 1 and we will be joining them for an epic Pasture Party on Saturday night and a celebratory closing church service on Sunday morning.

This weekend will be an amazing opportunity to connect with old and new camp friends, and reminiscence about all your Camp McDowell memories while making new ones.

We are offering many different registration options, including day passes as well as opportunities for those who would like to come for the whole weekend.

Programming and activities include a wide range of choices like hiking, farm tours, speakers, canoeing, McDowell Environmental Center programs, ropes courses, etc.

Questions? Email summercampdirector@campmcdowell.org.