The Nan and Curtis Fooks Memorial Labyrinth at St. Elizabeth’s, Roanoke
St. Elizabeth’s is blessed with beautiful grounds and plenty of space, along with a spirit of community, hospitality and engagement with our neighbors. We have been striving over the past few years to make our outdoor space especially safe and welcoming—particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and all those who want to enjoy our grounds.
The St. Elizabeth’s Labyrinth was installed in fall 2022 and is open to the public. You are welcome to come enjoy this beautiful resource for prayer and contemplation.
The history of our labyrinth
St. Elizabeth’s began dreaming of building a labyrinth in 2016. The next year, a donation was made to begin a labyrinth fund. In 2018, we painted a large labyrinth in our parking lot to give more people exposure to a labyrinth and the opportunity to use it. Little by little, more and more parishioners and neighbors began to walk the parking lot labyrinth and find it a source of connection and refreshment.
In 2020, as COVID-19 shut down so much about normal life, including church life, more people found our labyrinth to be a special place of prayer—a safe outdoor space that was always open and available. Once we could gather safely outdoors, we resumed outdoor concerts and special events, and the labyrinth continued to see more engagement. In the spring of 2021, we began worshipping outdoors, and the parking lot labyrinth was a natural place for some to prepare for worship or remain in prayer after the service.
An unexpected gift
In 2021, St. Elizabeth’s was blessed with a gift from the estate of Nan and Curtis Fooks. Nan had been a champion of the labyrinth project from the beginning, and our rector and lay leaders felt that using this unexpected gift to build a permanent labyrinth was a wonderful way to honor the legacy of Nan and Curtis and realize our dream of a permanent labyrinth.
What is a labyrinth?
A labyrinth is not a maze, but rather a sacred path, leading to the center. Labyrinths have been used by many cultures and religions around the world for thousands of years.
There is no one correct way to walk the labyrinth. For some people, walking a labyrinth is a metaphor for a journey they are undertaking. Others bring a question or concern to ponder. Walking the labyrinth can represent a sacred pilgrimage and an opportunity to slowly and meditatively explore personal and spiritual matters.
Preparing to Walk
Take a moment to relax and reflect. Be still and take a deep breath. Perhaps set an intention, ask a question, or offer a prayer; open your heart and mind.
Enter the labyrinth humbly, recognizing all are on the same path, but at different points. Allow courteous spacing if others are ahead walking the labyrinth.
If you come upon another person, simply step to the side and then around them, or allow them to pass you, respecting each other’s silence in prayer or meditation.
The Journey In…Release
Allow your body to find your natural pace, which may change during different stages of your walk.
Be conscious of your breath. Let it flow smoothly. It can be coordinated with each step, if you choose.
Walk mindfully, pay attention to your inner experience and the beauty around you.
This is the time to let go, let everyday thoughts fade.
In the Center…Receive
Rest. Reflect. Receive.
Don’t be in a hurry to leave. This is the place to pause, appreciate any insights you’ve received and absorb the wisdom or peace that has been given to you during your walk.
The Journey Out…Return
Retrace the path to where you began.
Reflect on insights, possibilities, and connections. Consider what they might mean for your daily living.
Exit
Pause to allow yourself to become fully conscious of stepping out into the world.
After you have completed your walk, you may wish to find a quiet place to sit and reflect.
The following suggestions and questions for reflection below may be used to guide your walk.
-Reflect on a favorite verse of scripture. Read a psalm or other sacred text.
-Pray for the world, for other people, for yourself.
-Repeat a meaningful word, phrase or prayer.
-Ask a question or seek a solution to a concern you are carrying. Ask yourself:
“What is it that I need to know right now?”
“What healing needs to happen here?”
