We at

Prince of Peace would like to invited you, the community,

to experience Fayette County's first labyrinth.

What is a

labyrinth?

A labyrinth

is an ancient pattern used for prayer and meditation.

Often confused with a maze, labyrinths have no dead ends,

no wrong turns. There are no tricks, no false turns: you

cannot get lost. If you straightened it out, a labyrinth

would be a long walkway that you walked from one end to

the other, and then turned and walked back the same way.

Here is the

pattern:

A labyrinth

is a metaphor for life's journey. It is a symbol that

creates a sacred space and place and takes us out of our

selves to "that which is within." It is a place

that allows one "time out" from the stress of a

busy life and a place to commune with God in the solitude

of one's heart, mind and soul.

There is a

cross located inside the labyrinth pattern. You will

encounter the cross eight times as you walk in and out of

the labyrinth. The cross is always a part of the

pilgrim's pathway.

As you walk

toward the center, begin emptying yourself of fears,

anxieties and guilt. Leave them at the center of the

labyrinth. As you exit, let yourself be filled with the

spirit of joy, peace and contentment. Think of persons

for whom you have a concern and bring these concerns to

the center. As you leave, let yourself be open to new

ways of expressing yourself to others.

There are

as many ways to walk the labyrinth as there are people to

walk it. This ancient symbol belongs to all cultures and

all religions. It leads us all to The Center - to

God - to wholeness. Walk in Peace!

History

First

indications of the use of labyrinths and mazes date back

as long as 4,500 years ago. They have been found in many

cultures at many different times in history such as in

Egypt, India, France, England, Algeria, Scandinavia,

Iceland, Peru and Arizona (native Americans).

Spiritual

pilgrimages have been the part of many different

religions throughout history. During medieval times

labyrinths were built in seven European Christian

cathedrals as alternative pilgrimages since a trip to

Jerusalem was very dangerous and costly in those times,

the time of the Crusades.

The

seven-circuit Cretan pattern dates back 4,000 years. The

labyrinth pattern at Prince of Peace is known as an

expanded center seven-circuit Cretan labyrinth. It was

constructed Dec. 4 by the Faith Talks senior high group

under the direction of pastor Keith Hedrick and Karen

King, youth ministry coordinator.

If you want

to walk

Where is

the labyrinth?

The

labyrinth is on the property of Prince of Peace Lutheran

Church, on Ga. Highway 314. From Ga. Highway 85 in

Fayetteville, turn onto Hwy. 314 at the stop light at

Shoney's. Go through two lights (Banks/White Road and the

light at Lowe's) and Prince of Peace is 400 feet on your

right.

From the

Pavilion Shopping Center (Walmart, Home Depot, etc.),

turn left onto Hwy. 314. Prince of Peace is about a

quarter mile on your left.

After

turning off 314, park in the parking lot and proceed

toward the small garage building. The labyrinth is in the

woods to your right. Look for a landscaped timber path

and a sign. Proceed down the path for 50 feet (head

toward the mailbox in the woods). Inside the mailbox is

more detailed information on how you may want to walk the

labyrinth.

On the web

Pictures of

the labyrinth may be found on the web at:

https://www.avana.net/~bpeach/labyrs-n-ga.htm and soon the

labyrinth will be listed in a nationwide labyrinth

locator at: https://www.gracecathedral.org/labyrinth/locator/index.shtml

You also

may contact Prince of Peace at 770-461-3403 (ask for

pastor Keith) or e-mail them at [email protected] .

Come and

walk.

Hedrick is

associate pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in

Fayetteville .