Recent
Events
Recently, our work with and love for the labyrinth have taken us on some interesting paths.
Lynne has been working with Jana Markova' in the Czech Republic. Their first interactions were by e-mail, but they've twice been able to meet together in Prague to share ideas and experiences -- and a labyrinth walk. Jana has been doing some wonderful work in southern Bohemia, sharing the labyrinth with different groups, and they met again in October 2007 when Lynne was back in the Czech Republic. Together they visited the Labyrintharium, a unique chateau park in the town of Loučeň with a set of 10 labyrinths and mazes. Here’s a sampling of some of the labyrinths:
Copyright © Zámek Loučeň
Janine’s had the opportunity to visit some beautiful labyrinths, especially the three (!) outdoor labyrinths at Harmony Hill in Union, WA and the Cretan labyrinth in the spaciousness of Miraval in Tucson, AZ. Both Harmony Hill and Miraval offer retreats for cancer survivors. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Janine had the opportunity to support her healing by taking part in these retreats. She’s been using the labyrinth in her journey with and through cancer.
In October 2007, Lynne & Janine shared the labyrinth with the Wellness Community of Philadelphia, an organization that offers support services to people with cancer and their loved ones.
In December 2007, Janine presented the labyrinth and facilitated labyrinth walks at the Eighth Annual Life beyond Cancer at Miraval.
Here’s a sample of some other workshops we’ve facilitated:
LabyrinthJourney Facilitator Training, Philadelphia, PA
April 2008
We provided a day-long workshop for a group of individuals who were interested in the history and current uses of the labyrinth, and the various ways the labyrinth can be used for personal and/or professional reflection and development. As well, we addressed the practical, logistical, and financial issues of labyrinth facilitation. Participants experienced and reflected upon different types of walks during the workshop. There was also ample opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and plans for facilitating labyrinth walks.
Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback, we’re planning another Facilitators’ Training in 2010. Check back for details.
The Wellness Community of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
October 2007/March 2008
The Wellness Community of Philadelphia (TWCP) invited us to offer labyrinth walks to people affected by cancer. Participants had the opportunity to discover new insights, acknowledge challenges, and/or simply rest in the safety of the labyrinth.
Camp Charlie, Safe Harbor at Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA
June 2009/June 2008
For two years in row, we’ve had the pleasure and privilege to work with our friends from Camp Charlie, a one-week summer bereavement camp associated with Safe Harbor at Abington Memorial Hospital. We shared the labyrinth with the campers and leaders as one of the activities that brought the week to a close.
Life beyond Cancer at Miraval, Tucson, AZ
December 2007
The American Cancer Society includes labyrinth walking as a complementary and alternative treatment modality and many cancer centers have permanent or portable labyrinths available for their patients, loved ones, and professional caregivers. Janine had the opportunity to present the “Labyrinth Journey: A Path of Hope & Healing” at Life beyond Cancer at Miraval, a four day retreat for cancer survivors, nurses, and social workers. Facilitated labyrinth walks were also available to participants.
Howard Center, Children, Youth, & Family Services, Burlington VT
Staff Retreat Day
June 2007
We had the pleasure of sharing the labyrinth experience with some of the human service staff of the Howard Center in Burlington, VT. As a component of their staff retreat day, nearly 100 women and men had the opportunity to use the labyrinth for personal and professional renewal.
Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA
Advent Labyrinth Walk
December 2006
The community members of Christ Church walked the labyrinth as part of their Advent journey.
Enhancing
Spiritual Strengths of Children & Families: The Labyrinth
in Social Work Education & Practice
Presented
at the23rd Annual Conference of the Association
of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, this program
was well received by social work educators and practitioners who
are considering ways to integrate the Labyrinth in social work
practice.
The Healing Journey
In April
2006, the Healing Journey was presented to the Maryland
Association of Counseling and Development. At this workshop,
participants learned ways to address professional burnout and use
the Labyrinth for personal and professional renewal.
Family Guidance Center
In January
2006, we presented the Labyrinth to a group of educators, counselors,
and social workers at Family Guidance Center in
Pennington, NJ, which offers an after school program for adolescents.
The
Labyrinth, Grief Work and Transformation: Rituals to Assist in Healing
Loss and Grief
University of Maryland School of Social Work, Continuing Professional
Education
Baltimore, MD
April
2005
The
Labyrinth Society
Maple Lake, MN
In October
2004, we presented our research on the effects of Labyrinth walking
on relaxation responses. We compared the effects of walking the Labyrinth
vs. listening to music or walking in general. This study followed-up
on our earlier research about the positive physical, cognitive, and
emotional effects of Labyrinth walking.
Society
for Spirituality & Social Work
Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
In June
2004, we presented “Walking a Path with Heart: The Labyrinth
as Spiritual Intervention for Social Work Practice” at the 9th
Annual Society for Spirituality and Social Work Conference.
The
Labyrinth, Grief Work and Transformation: Rituals to Assist in Healing
Loss and Grief
University of Maryland School of Social Work, Continuing Professional
Education
Baltimore, MD
Friday,
April 30, 2004
8:30am to 4:15pm
5th
Annual Labyrinth Society Gathering & Conference
Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD
November 6-9, 2003
Friday,
November 7, 1:30 -2:30 p.m.
Using the Labyrinth with Those Experiencing Life-Changing Illness:
Research & Practice
Saturday,
November 8, 1:00 p.m.
Panel Presentation: Labyrinths in Mainstream Healthcare
We presented
our research about the Labyrinth at this gathering of labyrinth facilitators
and enthusiasts from around the world in Baltimore, Maryland.
St.
John's United Methodist Church Women's Group Ivyland, PA
In March
2003, we shared the labyrinth with a large gathering of women from
St. John's Church. This lively, engaging, and prayerful group incorporated
the labyrinth as part of their Lenten practice.
The
Labyrinth:
A Spiritual Intervention for Social Workers and Clients
NASW-PA Annual Conference, King of Prussia, PA
Our March
2003 workshop at the NASW Conference explored the Labyrinth as an
emotional and spiritual intervention with professional caregivers
and their clients experiencing illness, life transition, and/or grief.
We discussed the Labyrinth and its use an effective tool for assisting
clients to access emotional and spiritual resources and for professional
caregivers to experience renewal. Participants also had the opportunity
to walk the labyrinth and received Continuing Education Credits for
the workshop.
Workshop
on Burnout and Renewal for Social Workers
La Salle University Bucks County Campus, Newtown, PA
In February
2003, we facilitated a workshop for social workers and other human
service professionals who are at risk for professional stress and
burnout. Because this risk is particularly high for practitioners
who regularly face the complexities of collaborating with individuals
as well as with families, organizations, and communities, this workshop
provided an opportunity for participants to identify the symptoms
of professional stress and burnout, differentiate between burnout
and compassion fatigue, and develop strategies for professional well-being
and renewal. Participants learned specific tools for renewal, including
the Labyrinth, which they can continue to use in their own lives and
in their professional work. We offered 5 CEC's for social workers
who participated.
Patricia
Kind Family Foundation Grant
With
a generous grant from the Patricia Kind Family Foundation, we shared
the Labyrinth with five non-profit organizations that work with people
with life-changing illness, with the bereaved, and with their professional
caregivers. We facilitated Labyrinth walks with the staff, volunteers,
and/or the clients of local hospice programs, centers for bereavement,
and wellness/spirituality centers. We are compiling the research from
these walks for articles and presentation in a variety of forums.
Cancer
Survivors
On January
4, 2003 we were invited by the American Cancer Society to share the
Labyrinth with young adult survivors of cancer. The group gathered
in Philadelphia to socialize and to honor the path that each participant
has walked. Many spoke of the Labyrinth as a metaphor for their journeys
before their cancer diagnosis, during treatment, and though he process
of healing.
We were
humbled and inspired by the lives of these young adults.
International
Conference Presentation
In July
2002, we traveled to Montpellier, France to present "No Boundaries:
Application of the Labyrinth for Social Work Education and Practice
in a Globalizing World" at the Congress of the International
Association of Schools of Social Work. We were honored to present
the Labyrinth to an international community of social work educators,
professionals, and students.
Community
Development
On June
30, 2002, we presented the Labyrinth at the Wellness Day held at Keystone
Hospice, Wyndmoor, PA. It was a wonderful opportunity to introduce
the Labyrinth to health care providers, clients, and community members.
Pilgrimages
to Chartres & Amiens
In August
2000, we participated with Robert Ferre in a pilgrimage celebrating
the 800th anniversary of the Labyrinth inlaid in the Cathedral in
Chartres, France. No matter how many times and in how many places
we walk the Labyrinth, it is a mysterious, profound, and humbling
experience to walk the Labyrinth in Chartres knowing that thousands
of people have walked before.
During
this trip, we also embarked on our own "pilgrimage" to the
Cathedral in Amiens, France, site of the other remaining permanent
medieval Labyrinth in France. We were struck with how different a
design the Amiens Labyrinth is in comparison to the Chartres Labyrinth,
particularly since the Labyrinth at Amiens was built only about 80
years later than the more well-known Chartres Labyrinth.
National
Day of Prayer & Remembrance
We were
reminded of the power of the Labyrinth following the tragic events
of September 2001 when we opened the Labyrinth for a local Philadelphia
community to honor the National Day of Prayer & Remembrance. On
that day, we witnessed the burden of grief, the hopes and prayers
for healing, and the deep desire for forgiveness.
Staff
Consultation
In October
2001, we provided consultation to youth ministry staff from a church
community in Michigan who hope to integrate the Labyrinth more fully
in the life of their community.
National
Conference Presentation
In November
2001, we conducted a Labyrinth workshop at a national conference of
social work educators in Denver, CO and discussed how the Labyrinth
could be used to heal the wounds of inequality.
Community
Development
Back
home in Philadelphia in December 2001, we opened the Labyrinth for
three days for the La Salle University community. Over 300 students,
faculty, staff, and administrators experienced the Labyrinth through
a series of presentations and open walks.
