On Saturday at 1 p.m., residents will come together to navigate the labyrinth on the side lawn of the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew at 8 Church St. In recognition of World Labyrinth Day, the Friends of the Community Labyrinth will hold a “Walk as One” event at this labyrinth. The international event, held annually on the first Saturday in May, allows people around the globe to come together through a shared appreciation of labyrinths, the meditative and spiritual maze-like courses, in a symbolic demonstration of unity and peace.
Labyrinths have been found throughout history, with some dating back more than 4,000 years. The website labyrinthlocator.com lists over 6,000 labyrinths worldwide. Elise Schlaikjer, a co-founder of the Friends of the Community Labyrinth who helped build the labyrinth at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in 2019, believes that their popularity will ultimately contribute to a “rolling wave of peace” to help remedy social division. “Do you ever get that feeling that something is just right? That’s how I felt when I walked my first labyrinth,” she recounted. “It felt like coming home for me.” To her, a labyrinth is not just a place to get lost but also a symbol not to be afraid.
