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  399 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523  ·   (925) 685-2288  ·     Give

Church of the Resurrection
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Labyrinth

The labyrinth at Church of the Resurrection is located on the Kahrs Avenue side of the church. It was completed in 2015 and is open to all who wish to use it. We hope you will find the following information helpful to your understanding of this ancient spiritual tool, and to your walk.

What is a labyrinth?

Perhaps this question is best answered by knowing what a labyrinth is not. A labyrinth is not a maze. A maze is a complex puzzle with multiple entries and exits, and many dead ends. Although it may be found in a variety of styles and patterns, a labyrinth, on the other hand, is one well-defined path leading to the center and back out again. There are no tricks, no intersections, no dead ends, and no decisions to be made.

Labyrinths are an ancient spiritual tool for meditation and prayer, and may be found in almost every spiritual tradition. The oldest surviving labyrinth dates to approximately 2500 – 2000 B.C. The labyrinth entered into Christian spirituality during the Middle Ages and is believed to have provided a “pilgrimage” experience for those unable to make the dangerous and expensive trip to Jerusalem. Perhaps the best-known church labyrinth may be found inlaid into the floor at Chartres Cathedral in France, which dates around 1201.

A labyrinth may be considered a metaphor for the spiritual journey. Simply stated, the design forms a winding but purposeful pathway to the sacred. Walking this unicursal path leads us into a deeper connection with God, others, and our inner selves, and then back out again into the world. Importantly, although the route to the center is neither obvious nor direct, we must always trust the path so that we may fully experience the journey.

Approaches to walking a labyrinth

There are probably as many ways to walk a labyrinth as there are people, and as many reasons for walking, as well. A walk may be for the purpose of gaining clarity or insight, seeking healing, quieting the mind and soul, praying and meditating, answering a question, becoming more in touch with our inner being, or simply drawing closer to God. Importantly, there is no right or wrong way to walk. The idea is simply to quiet one’s mind and focus on the walk itself, drawing from it whatever the experience has to offer. Interestingly, because we come to the experience differently every time, walkers usually find each walk to be unique.

Many walkers find it helpful to walk using the stages of the three-fold path. These are

The Three-fold Path

  1. Releasing – the walk into the labyrinth toward the center is the first part of the path. It is a time to release anything that stands between you and the Divine, to quiet your mind and open your heart, to let go of thoughts and distractions that clutter your being, and to open yourself and become present to the experience and to the Spirit.
  2. Receiving – our time at the center is one of prayer and meditation, receiving insight, clarity and whatever is there for us on the walk. Staying as long as you like, you may sit, stand, or even lie down. When you feel ready, simply follow the same path back out of the labyrinth.
  3. Returning – We take the same path out as we took in. This part of the journey is one of union with the Holy, of integration, and empowerment as we turn our insight into action, joining with God to bring into our life what we have received in the center.

A Few Tips

  1. There is no right or wrong way to walk. Experience helps each of us find our own way and our own style.
  2. Walk with an open mind and an open heart and receive whatever is there for you. Release your expectations, focus on your breath and find your own individual pace.
  3. There is one way in and one way out. Those going in will meet those coming out. You may pass others on the path or allow them to step around you. Simply do whatever comes naturally.
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Current Covid Policies

Sermons

  • Mar 12 | The Reverend Liz Tichenor
    Lent 3A
  • Mar 5 | The Reverend Liz Tichenor
    Lent 2A
  • Feb 26 | The Reverend Liz Tichenor
    Lent 1A
  • Feb 22 | Whitney Wilson
    Ash Wednesday
  • Feb 12 | The Reverend Liz Tichenor
    Epiphany 6A

Sunday Worship

  • 8 AM - Communion and sermon
  • 10:15 AM - Communion, sermon and music

Sunday Livestream at 10:15 AM

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399 Gregory Lane · Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 685-2288

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Sunday Worship

  • 8 AM - Communion and sermon
  • 10:15 AM - Communion, sermon and music

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Church of the Resurrection
399 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

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(925) 685-2288

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Sunday Morning Livestream

Join our livestream at 10:15 am.

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Welcome to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection! The most important thing we want you to know is that this is a community which welcomes and values all who seek an experience of God’s love, whoever or wherever you are on your life or spiritual journey. Whatever your age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic circumstance, or religious background, you are welcome in our worshipping community and at the Lord’s Table.

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Our community is made up of people of all ages, religious backgrounds, political positions, family configurations, ethnicities and church experience. We share a love of and connection to God and each other, a sense of meaning and belonging, a yearning to grow in our faith, and a desire to serve Christ by reaching out to others in the community. We also have a lot of fun together.

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Worship is at the heart of our life together, and Episcopal worship is rich in symbolism and tradition. At the same time, it is a contemporary expression of our belief and faith in a Living God who is present and accessible in material and ordinary things.

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The Episcopal Church has a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church, and some of the first transgender priests in the Episcopal Church serve here in in the Diocese of California. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. We are delighted to offer the sacrament of marriage (and all other sacraments) to all couples, no matter their genders. We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.

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As part of the Episcopal Church, Church of the Resurrection is a church that is both rich with ancient tradition and relevant to life in the 21st century. We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.

We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.

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At Church of the Resurrection, all our ministry and work in the wider community depends on the generosity of our members and visitors! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can use PayPal, send a check to the church, or drop your gift in the offering plate on Sunday. If you're considering a regular donation, which we call an annual pledge, you can learn more here. Thank you for all you help to make possible!

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Stewardship is the practice of caring for and working with all that we have. How we choose to spend our money is one sign of what is important to us, and it can be an intentional expression of gratitude for all that God has given us. A pledge is a promise most members of our church make each year for how we intend to give money to Church of the Resurrection in the next year. Annual pledges support everything we do here.

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For nearly 20 years, members of Church of the Resurrection have both given gifts and made planned gifts to the Legacy Fund, with the goal of supporting the church's mission and outreach efforts. Joining this group is a way to make a lasting impact on the community, and create new opportunities for years to come.

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