Good Friday
Categories: uncategorized
Date: 10 April 2004 00:44:55
Yesterday we went to the normal Good Friday service at our church, then went out to Meredith to visit Elicia's folks, then came back in time for the evening Labyrinth service-thing at my parents' church.
The labyrinth is really cool! This is the second year my parents' church has done it. They take all the pews out of the church, put little tea-light candles all around the edge and tape a labyrinth in the shape of a cross to the floor. There's a couple of stations along the path with Bible verses or poetry and extra candles, and the data projector in the corner quietly displays religious images and text, and they have soft music playing that sounds like monks chanting.
What you do is slowly walk the labyrinth. In the foyer before you walk in they have photocopies of info about the labyrinth and some ideas about how to use it. Everyone's quiet. Then you slowly, individually, walk the shape of the cross and the rest of the labyrinth, and end up in the sanctuary at the front of the church, where there is a big wooden cross. They have paper and pens, some more words to read, and a table with communion if you feel like that. After meditating and praying for a while you slowly walk the path back out again. It took us about an hour to do it all.
I find it really moving, and I also find it strange that I find it moving. It was the same last year. It's powerful to have a ritual that focuses on moving into God's presence and being with him, rather than doing things for him.
This is a photo from last year's labyrinth, taken from the Surfside Church website.
