Labyrinth of the General Council on Ministries

In the year 2000, a global "general conference" of The United Methodist Church made a commitment to encourage growth in faith and life by asking all its members and its organizational structures to find way to intentionally "center on Christian formation." In the spirit of that decision, the General Council on Ministries developed this labyrinth as a symbol of our commitment to find our own center in Jesus Christ and strengthen our faith in God. This labyrinth was built in a publicly accessible setting in recognition that in all persons there is a drive to find their center - a place of quietness, of peace with God, self, family, and others. Design of the Labyrinth Unlike a maze, which strives to cause one to become lost, the labyrinth helps the willing follower to find the way. A labyrinth's circuitous path to the center represents life's journey toward the greatest goal: God. All paths lead to the center and then return the pilgrim to the point of beginning. The center design is a six-petal rose, often referred to as the "Rose of Sharon," and is a mystical symbol for God's Holy Spirit. In walking the labyrinth, one is led by the path to the center, where one may find strength, before returning by the path back out into the world.