Labyrinth at First UMC
The Labyrinth laid in the Simkins Hall floor of First UMC Santa Monica is a replica of the Chartres Labyrinth laid in the cathedral around 1220 CE. Walking the Labyrinth is an ancient spiritual practice, a way to quiet our minds and open our spirits to the presence of the Holy. Every step a prayer.
**Read the May 4, 2023 LA Times article Feeling lost? L.A.’s labyrinths can help you return to center with mention of First UMC!
The Labyrinth will be open on Friday, October 6 in Simkins Hall.
If you’ve never walked the Labyrinth before, there are printed instructions to help with your walking meditation.* Take an hour for yourself in this “device-free” zone.
Friday, October 6, 1 – 3 p.m., in Simkins Hall
*For those unable to walk, we have finger labyrinths (see photo below). A finger labyrinth is similar to a full sized labyrinth you would walk except it is on a much smaller and more portable scale. The user traces the path to the center using your finger rather than with their feet. Tracing the labyrinth with your finger can be calming and relaxing, giving you time and space to let go of worries and “just be.” You may also view the Virtual Labyrinth below.
Virtual Labyrinth Walk Available
We are grateful to offer you a virtual labyrinth walk. You may “Walk” in silence to listen to your breath, to look within, to find peace.
The Labyrinth can be a tool for meditation and prayer, for gaining insight, clarity and balance, and to quiet the mind. It is a spiritual practice that is open to people of all faiths, to those with no religious affiliation, and to individuals from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.
We invite you to tell us how this virtual walk experience felt and what you think of the labyrinth in general. We’d love to hear your feedback. Email labyrinth@santamonicaumc.org.
The History of the Labyrinth at First UMC
In 1995, six women from First UMC walked the labyrinth for the first time during a retreat led by The Rev. Lauren Artress, who authored the popular book, Walking a Sacred Path. That walk proved so powerful that they wanted to make such experiences available to the church and surrounding community. Thus, was born the Labyrinth Ministry. The women prayed and held the vision for acquiring a labyrinth. In the meantime, the church rented portable ones and offered special walks. In 1999, the church purchased a portable canvas labyrinth and lovingly used it for 9 years. Then, as part of the renovation of Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center, a permanent labyrinth replicating the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth, was laid in the floor.
