The Prayer
labYRinth AT FI RST U N ITED M ETH O D IST CH U RCH O F ARLIN GTON
BY: REV. KAY LANCASTER Associate Pastor of Discipleship
You may have noticed the Labyrinth located between the north parking lot and the red brick house across North St. from our Sanctuary. You may also have asked—why is it there, what is it for, and who can use it? The labyrinth at First United Methodist Arlington is in the classic design of one the most famous labyrinths which is located at Chartres Cathedral. It has seven rings leading to the center. The labyrinth was donated by the family of Rev. Garland T. Lavender who served as an ordained pastor in the Central and North Texas Conferences for seventyfive years. 6 • Summer 2019
A labyrinth is a geometrically designed walking path leading to and from a central point. It is not a maze; you cannot get lost. There are no dead ends. There is one way in to the center and one way out. The point is not disorientation, but orientation. The labyrinth is also known as a “Sacred Walk” or “Holy Path”. It is an ancient meditative tool that has been used for centuries for prayer, arlingtonmethodist.org
