Thoughts on World Labyrinth Day -5/2/2026

It had been a dreary few days of rain and grey clouds, but when Saturday came, the sky was blue again and the sun shone just in time for about fifty of us to walk OHUMC's labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day.

Our intention, and for others around our planet, was to walk for peace. Each participating labyrinth site would begin a walk at 1:00 p.m. in their own time zone, so that our prayers for peace would flow all around our globe for twenty-four hours.

Labyrinth facilitator Jessica Golding lead us in a few deep cleansing breaths to help relax and prepare us before we began. She reminded us that we would be connected to everyone throughout the world also walking labyrinths for peace.

I kept thinking of that connection as I walked - connection with the other people silently walking our church's labyrinth and with those beyond Austin. But I also felt connection with the birds happily singing, with the sun warming my skin, with the many little yellow and purple flowers popping up along the path, and with the earth I could feel under my feet.

Austin musician Terry Mills played guitar and sang familiar songs of peace as we walked, her lovely voice and the lyrics adding to that sense of connection.

As I reached the center of the labyrinth, a group of bright yellow flowers greeted me. Other fellow walkers sat on the earth or on the bench in contemplation. A couple of children played with the flowers in the sun.

It was a joyful celebration of life.

Leaving the center and starting the journey back, I felt a powerful sense of peace and joy. Although the world may be experiencing dark times, love and light will always win out.

As we gathered together afterwards, Jessica asked us if we would describe our experiences with one word. Community, peace, and unity were some of our answers. My husband Bob shared that a quote from Jesus found in the Gospel of John came to his mind as he walked, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you."

You can get more information about this ancient form of mediative prayer at The Labyrinth Society.

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