Come explore our Labyrinth
Rev Mike Moritz, curate, St John’s Church in Locks Heath invites you on a spiritual journey.
I’m currently training to become a vicar, and one part of that training involves spending time on placement in another church.
So, while my day job is at St John’s, Locks Heath, I’m currently spending time at St Wilfrid’s Church in Fratton, discovering what being a vicar in the middle of a busy city is like.
One of the things I’m doing here is creating a ‘Labyrinth’ in the middle of the church this June. A labyrinth is an ancient Christian tradition which involves people walking through something like a maze, and using that time in spiritual reflection.
In ancient days, labyrinths were often carved into the ground or created on the floors of cathedrals. These days they can be interactive art installations, with images, sounds and words to set you thinking.
What they all have in common is the idea of going on a journey from one place to another – physically and spiritually.
The labyrinth we’re hosting at St Wilfrid’s from June 3-7 will certainly do that.
The inspiration came from an immersive art installation I experienced, theologically it is based on the Book of Psalms in the Bible. Like the Psalms, it will help visitors to explore their pain and lament at the state of God’s world, as well as the peace and restoration God can offer.
When you enter the church, you’ll immediately enter an area designed to remind you of the natural world. You’ll then enter a darker area, with words flashed onto the walls and discordant music designed to help you to explore life’s difficulties. Finally, you’ll reach an area lit by candles and designed to remind you of God’s love.
There’s no right or wrong way to experience it. Each person will go at their own pace and get something different from it.
We’re hosting an information morning at St Wilfrid’s, George Street, Fratton, from 11am-12noon tomorrow for you to find out more. We’d love to recruit some volunteers to help steward the event from June 3-7. For details, see: portsmouth. anglican.org/labyrinth.