St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 27 Plains Road, Windham Center, CT.
Vicar - The Rev. John Burton
Sunday Holy Eucharist Service - 9.30am.
Church School for children grades 1 thru 8.
From Father John
Walk the Labyrinth at First Congregational Church Willimantic November 2
Many of you may not know that part of my Spiritual journey involved training in facilitating use of the labyrinth as a tool for prayer. Back in 1998, I acquired a 30’ canvas labyrinth which I used for dozens of presentations in churches and to other groups. Since the labyrinth is way too big for our parish hall, it has been mostly unused for the last eight years. However, on Sunday, November 2, it is coming out of storage when I present a workshop at First Congregational Church on Valley Street in Willimantic. The presentation begins at about 1:00 pm, following a pot luck lunch at 12:30. You are invited and encouraged to attend one or both.
What is the Labyrinth? It is a tool for walking prayer. Its pattern is copied from a design set into the stone floor at Chartres Cathedral around 1220 AD and hand painted on a 30’ by 30’ canvas. Walking the Labyrinth is simple. In contrast to ‘talking prayer’, or methods of contemplation or meditation which call us to quiet our bodies, the labyrinth calls us to use our bodies, as we focus ourselves on walking a circuitous, non-obvious path from the outside to the center, and back again. Many people find this experience helps them to quiet their minds and bodies, to open themselves to new insights, and to hear the still, small voice of God.
We will begin with a short presentation about the labyrinth and some suggestions that may help you make the most of your walk. There will be time for everyone to walk at their own pace, as well as quiet reflection and watching others walk, (an experience in itself). When we are all done, time permitting, we will have the opportunity to share our experiences and explore ways to integrate them as we go back out into the world. You may wish to bring a journal, a favorite holy book, an object that would be a symbol of the intention you will set at the beginning of your walk, or nothing at all. Warm socks are encouraged as the labyrinth is walked without shoes.
Walk the Labyrinth at First Congregational Church Willimantic November 2
Many of you may not know that part of my Spiritual journey involved training in facilitating use of the labyrinth as a tool for prayer. Back in 1998, I acquired a 30’ canvas labyrinth which I used for dozens of presentations in churches and to other groups. Since the labyrinth is way too big for our parish hall, it has been mostly unused for the last eight years. However, on Sunday, November 2, it is coming out of storage when I present a workshop at First Congregational Church on Valley Street in Willimantic. The presentation begins at about 1:00 pm, following a pot luck lunch at 12:30. You are invited and encouraged to attend one or both.
What is the Labyrinth? It is a tool for walking prayer. Its pattern is copied from a design set into the stone floor at Chartres Cathedral around 1220 AD and hand painted on a 30’ by 30’ canvas. Walking the Labyrinth is simple. In contrast to ‘talking prayer’, or methods of contemplation or meditation which call us to quiet our bodies, the labyrinth calls us to use our bodies, as we focus ourselves on walking a circuitous, non-obvious path from the outside to the center, and back again. Many people find this experience helps them to quiet their minds and bodies, to open themselves to new insights, and to hear the still, small voice of God.
We will begin with a short presentation about the labyrinth and some suggestions that may help you make the most of your walk. There will be time for everyone to walk at their own pace, as well as quiet reflection and watching others walk, (an experience in itself). When we are all done, time permitting, we will have the opportunity to share our experiences and explore ways to integrate them as we go back out into the world. You may wish to bring a journal, a favorite holy book, an object that would be a symbol of the intention you will set at the beginning of your walk, or nothing at all. Warm socks are encouraged as the labyrinth is walked without shoes.
Workday at WAIM - Please join us on Saturday, Nov. 1, 9-12 or whatever time you can give, for a morning of helping customers, sorting clothing, staffing the household goods area and general support at WAIM. Please tell Virginia Fulton you are coming - 860-428-2470 or vmfulton@earthlink.net
Walk for Warmth - This year's easy, 2-mile walk to fund WAIM's fuel bank will be on Sunday, November 23. This year's host church is St. Joseph's RC Church on Valley Street, Willimantic. Walk registration starts at 1PM, the wonderful interfaith Thanksgiving service is at 1:30, and the walk starts at 2:15. Ample delicious refreshments after the walk back at St. Joseph's.
Please join St. Paul's Walkers. Pledge forms for you to fill with donations from friends, family, colleagues, etc. will be on the parish hall counter starting October 26.
If you can't walk, please pledge!!! A pledge form with St. Paul's written on the top will be on the counter also. Please sign your name and leave a check in the amount of your pledge in the envelope.
Last year, our congregation was very generous to this important, basic-needs cause. Those who walked were proud to turn in our pledge funds for St. Paul's. Let's do it again!
Note: If you haven't ever attended the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, give it a try. It is beautiful, inspiring and such a good reminder of the interfaith nature of our work in the community.
Walk for Warmth - This year's easy, 2-mile walk to fund WAIM's fuel bank will be on Sunday, November 23. This year's host church is St. Joseph's RC Church on Valley Street, Willimantic. Walk registration starts at 1PM, the wonderful interfaith Thanksgiving service is at 1:30, and the walk starts at 2:15. Ample delicious refreshments after the walk back at St. Joseph's.
Please join St. Paul's Walkers. Pledge forms for you to fill with donations from friends, family, colleagues, etc. will be on the parish hall counter starting October 26.
If you can't walk, please pledge!!! A pledge form with St. Paul's written on the top will be on the counter also. Please sign your name and leave a check in the amount of your pledge in the envelope.
Last year, our congregation was very generous to this important, basic-needs cause. Those who walked were proud to turn in our pledge funds for St. Paul's. Let's do it again!
Note: If you haven't ever attended the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, give it a try. It is beautiful, inspiring and such a good reminder of the interfaith nature of our work in the community.
St Paul's Newsletter - October 2014
click on image below
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