The art of reinstalling a labyrinth: Galveston, Part III

Unloading labyrinth sections at the new location

When our friend Kay Sandor called to request our assistance with uninstalling, moving, and reinstalling one of our hand-crafted labyrinths in Galveston, we were up to the challenge. Development plans threatened to destroy their beloved community labyrinth, and we were determined to help them save it.

We had never moved one of our artworks from one place to another, but with the help of our friend Dave Keller, Labyrinths in Stone began the laborious process of preparing the labyrinth for the move from The William Temple Episcopal Center to its new home at Moody Methodist Church. What a learning process! Section by section, the pavers were meticulously measured, marked, cataloged, loaded on a flatbed trailer, and transported across town. Fortunately, we were able to reuse or recycle most of the brick pavers, reducing the amount of waste that ended up in the landfill and minimizing the use of additional resources to recreate our work of art. As the labyrinth slowly disappeared at one end of Galveston, it slowly reappeared at the other side of the city.

Handwritten messages in the base material

Before the reinstallation took place, Moody Methodist Church members did a great job of clearing the land for the labyrinth and consecrating it as sacred space. Some members wrote messages on rocks that were to be mixed into the base material of the containment ring. Others wrote handwritten notes on paper to be tucked under the pavers of the center's rosette. By the time Labyrinths in Stone delivered the pavers, every aspect of the labyrinth had been thoroughly blessed so that we could get to work reinstalling the labyrinth.

Handwritten messages tucked under the center pavers

One of the ways we like to demonstrate our gratitude for the host organization is by consecrating the pavers of the rosette with special inscriptions from the people who will walk the labyrinth. While Marty and Dave prepared the containment ring, members of the congregation inscribed the bricks with the names of loved ones, Bible verses, quotations, drawings, and special messages to future generations who will walk the labyrinth in years to come. These bricks were the first to be laid as the labyrinth was built from the center outward.

Kay Sandor helps with the sand blessing.

Once all of the pavers were in place, Marty and Dave swept sand into the joints, completing the process of compaction. To thank her for her efforts to save the labyrinth, Kay Sandor was invited to participate in the sacred sanding process. Sanding the labyrinth involves filling all of the seams with bricklayer's sand, a finer grade of sand with smaller particles for such detailed work. Each and every inch of the labyrinth is blessed as sand is sprinkled into the spaces between the pavers with a prayer asking for peace and healing for all of the pilgrims who will walk the path and expressing love and gratitude for all. 

Once complete, compaction locks the pavers permanently into place, ensuring the durability of the labyrinth for generations to come. The surface is then thoroughly swept and cleaned, revealing the labyrinth’s stunning artistry. 

We were grateful to the spiritual leaders of Moody Methodist Church, who paved the way for a smooth reinstallation process by educating the congregants about the labyrinth and its uses, selecting a suitable site, encouraging members to participate in the process, and creating a quiet setting for the labyrinth on the east side of the church property. The labyrinth was consecrated on April 16, 2014, during Holy Week.

The Moody Methodist Church labyrinth 

When Labyrinths in Stone received the call to help save the Galveston labyrinth, we accepted the challenge because of our commitment to our customers and to our work in the world. Labyrinth reinstallation can be a very tricky and time-consuming process, even if we have done the original installation and removal. However, we believe so strongly in the quality of our craftsmanship and the sacredness of each work of art that we have added this important service to our repertoire of specialized skills. We were so grateful to have the opportunity to shepherd this labyrinth through its many changes, loving it along its own path of twists and turns. Thanks to Dave Keller, Kay Sandor, local labyrinth enthusiasts, and the good people at Moody Methodist Church, the labyrinth has a wonderful new home, where it can continue to serve the needs of the Galveston isle community.

The challenge of uninstalling a labyrinth: Galveston, Part II

The William Temple Episcopal Center labyrinth in Galveston, Texas

In 2013, we received a call from our friend Kay Sandor in Galveston regarding a labyrinth we had installed in 2001 at The William Temple Episcopal Center. The beloved community labyrinth was in jeopardy because it was in the way of a redevelopment plan for the downtown space. Despite vociferous opposition by isle community residents, led by Kay, the labyrinth had to be moved or it would be destroyed. Could we possibly uninstall the labyrinth?

De-installation of the labyrinth involved more than 5,000 hand-sculpted pieces.

Good question. We have installed a lot of labyrinths, but we had never been asked to remove one. De-installing a labyrinth is much more complicated than, say, removing a patio. The main reason is because a labyrinth is a sacred work of art which has been created specially for the installation site. More than 5,000 hand-sculpted pavers went into the making of this labyrinth. Each piece would have to be measured, removed, cleaned, labeled, and meticulously inventoried for storage until a suitable space could be found to re-install the labyrinth. Fortunately, by the time we were ready to take on the challenge, the labyrinth had found a new home at Moody Methodist Church across town, thanks to the fierce advocacy of Kay Sandor and her dedicated group of labyrinth enthusiasts.

Isle community residents, led by Kay Sandor, came together to save their beloved labyrinth.

This particular labyrinth was beloved by so many people in the community. While we were carefully removing each brick paver, many people stopped by to tell us how much the labyrinth meant to them, sharing stories and expressing their gratitude for the labyrinth and its makers. They told us how they had walked it to pray, solve problems, deal with illness, reduce stress, relieve anxiety, heal a relationship--on and on. Most of them expressed sorrow that the labyrinth would no longer exist in the current location, and a few were quite distressed about its removal. Little did they know when they shared their stories that they were talking with the creators of the labyrinth! Listening to their stories was so humbling, and it felt so sacred--almost like confession--that we never revealed our identity to a single soul. Our hearts swelled with gratitude, hearing that our work in the world had helped so many people in so many ways. 

Marty meticulously measures the placement of pavers to prepare for their removal.

With the invaluable assistance of our friend Dave Keller, we carefully measured, removed, cleaned, cataloged, and palletted each paver, transferring sections to a flatbed trailer to transport to the new location. We could feel the emotions that walkers had left in the pavers, and as we cleaned them for reuse, we blessed everyone who had ever walked this sacred path. We felt sad for the people who would miss it in this location, yet we were glad that the labyrinth would have a new life at another church nearby.

A portion of the rosette is ready to transport to the new location.

The whole process would not have been possible, however, without the fierce advocacy of Kay Sandor and the skilled help of Dave Keller. We are also grateful for the proactive work by all of the community advocates and church leaders, who created a plan of succession for the labyrinth, treating it as a valuable resource with the utmost respect for this sacred work of art and the people who use it as a spiritual tool.

The labyrinth's beautiful new home at Moody Methodist Church

The labyrinth now has a beautiful new home at Moody Methodist Church, where it continues to serve congregants, community members, and visitors to the Galveston area. We are so grateful to the people of Galveston for their dedicated efforts to save the labyrinth for the sake of the community and everyone who will benefit from walking this sacred work of art.

On the move in Galveston, Part I

Labyrinths in Stone begins construction on the William Temple Episcopal Center Labyrinth in 2001.

When development plans threatened the destruction of one of our beautiful artworks in Galveston, Texas, Labyrinths in Stone was called to action. Led by our dear friend Kay Sandor, the isle community’s efforts to save their beloved labyrinth gave us the opportunity to do something we had never done before: move a Chartres-pattern brick-paver labyrinth to a new location.

In March-April 2001, Episcopal Church and UTMC Galveston commissioned Labyrinths in Stone to create the William Temple Episcopal Center Labyrinth. The beautiful 39-foot Chartres-pattern labyrinth was the centerpiece of the Labyrinth Meditation Garden between the church and the hospital.

The William Temple Episcopal Center Labyrinth was dedicated to the well-being of the Galveston isle community.

For more than 12 years, the William Temple Episcopal Center Labyrinth was an integral part of the Galveston isle community. Kay Sandor facilitated monthly Full Moon Walks and Seasonal Sunrise Walks to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes. The labyrinth also attracted many different types of visitors: church members, community groups, faculty and staff, students, and tourists— even researchers and their subjects studying the effects of walking labyrinths. One of the most moving stories about using the labyrinth for healing featured a group of nine severely burned Saudi Arabian children who walked the labyrinth more than 30 times over the course of a two-year study.

The William Temple Episcopal Center Labyrinth hosted many community events during its lifetime. 

Then in 2014, we received word from Kay that the property was going to be sold to pave the way for new development, which meant the labyrinth would be demolished. Those in the labyrinth world were in disbelief because removing a labyrinth is akin to destroying a holy shrine. Members of the local community were in denial that the church would dismantle the popular landmark and sacred site. Yet the development plans moved forward despite vociferous opposition.

Then something magical happened: a bold move by the members of this small isle community.

Embarking on a journey from unknowing to revelation, community members entered liminal space with the labyrinth. The word “liminal” comes from the Latin word “limens,” which means “threshold.” According to psychology, liminal space is a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing before we cross the threshold of divine disclosure.

Many groups used the William Temple Episcopal Center Labyrinth.

The Galveston isle community did not want to lose their labyrinth. When they chose to enter liminal space, however, they embraced the possible loss with strength and courage. Led by Kay, they boldly stepped into a place of waiting and not knowing while at the same time doing everything they could to save it, which included reaching out to other churches in the area and asking for our assistance. Their efforts were rewarded.

On January 27, 2014, the good news was announced in the local paper: the spiritual landmark would not be destroyed to make way for development after all. Instead, the labyrinth would be moved to Moody Methodist Church across town.

Marty meticulously measures the pavers to move the pathway.

We felt apprehensive when Kay called to request our assistance. We had never moved one of our artworks from one place to another, but we were determined to help the community save their beloved labyrinth. With the help of our friend Dave Keller, Labyrinths in Stone began the laborious process of preparing the labyrinth for the move to Moody's brand-new Meditation Garden. What a learning process! Section by section, the pavers were meticulously marked, cataloged, palleted, loaded on a flatbed trailer, and transported across town. As the labyrinth slowly disappeared at one end of town, it slowly reappeared at the other—like magic!

Marty and Dave unload sections to recreate the labyrinth in its new location at Moody Methodist Church.

One community’s experience of embracing liminal space gave us the opportunity to do something we had never done before. We could not have made the move without the help of Kay Sandor and Dave Keller. The labyrinth was saved, and everyone was the better for it. When we were called to action to do the seemingly impossible, we entered liminal space, too, and emerged with a new skill and level of mastery that we could add to the services we offer. Need to move a labyrinth? Yes, we can do that!

The labyrinth is the centerpiece of the Meditation Garden at Moody Methodist Church.

Labyrinth restoration? Yes, we do that!

A labyrinth ready for restoration

One of the many services we provide is labyrinth restoration. In August 2018, we returned to Knoxville, Tennessee, to refurbish the labyrinth we created in 2001 for St. John's Cathedral. Commissioned by the Wright children, the Mary Clark Wright Memorial Labyrinth has been well cared for, but it definitely needed some tender, loving care after many years of weathering the wet climate of East Tennessee.

We felt so blessed to be back at St. John’s. This labyrinth holds a special place in our hearts because the dedication ceremony was held in September 2001, just a few days before the tragic events unfolded on 9/11. On that fateful day, people lined up around the whole city block to walk the labyrinth, seeking its sure path during that time of profound uncertainty.

Refurbishing a labyrinth involves a laborious three-part process: power washing, sanding, and sealing. Also, it’s usually a good idea to freshen up the contrast between the pavers during a complete restoration, especially if the pavers have faded from weather exposure.

Weather exposure can fade the paver colors over time.

The process begins with removing the accumulated dirt and debris—what we call the “sacred muck”—which can take three days (or more) of meticulous power washing. Special care needs to be taken to avoid damaging the pavers, especially the smallest of hand-carved shims. This Chartres-pattern labyrinth is 39 feet in diameter with a path width of 12.5 inches and a total path length of 750 feet, featuring thousands of hand-sculpted terracotta and light gray paving stones to create the lunations, trefoils, and the petals of the rosette. At the end of every eight-hour day, Marty was soaking wet and covered with sacred muck—a combination of dirt, compost, grime, candle wax, and bird droppings.

The Outlaws performing on Market Square

Amidst all of the hard work, we also had some time to enjoy ourselves. St. John’s Cathedral is located in the heart of Knoxville’s vibrant downtown, and we were fortunate to stay at the lovely new Hyatt Hotel just a couple of blocks away. We especially enjoyed visiting lively Market Square, particularly the Farmers Market, which features locally grown produce, great food, and excellent entertainment. One of our favorite buskers was The Outlaws, a duo playing their own soulful brand of folk and bluegrass music.

Debi and Rose of Sharon blessing the sand.

After the power washing is finished, the next step is usually staining the lines if necessary, but St. John’s preferred the muted contrast of the pavers, so we began the sanding process. Sanding the labyrinth involves filling all of the seams with bricklayer's sand, a finer grade of sand with smaller particles for such detailed work. One of the extra special things we do during the restoration process is to bless the sand before filling in the spaces between the pavers, asking for peace and healing for all of the pilgrims who will walk the path and expressing love and gratitude for all. A gorgeous Rose of Sharon, pictured behind Debi, assisted with the process, reminding all to walk in beauty

The Sand Blessing

We apply the personal touch to every labyrinth restoration process, filling the tiniest spaces by hand before we apply the sealer. Every square inch of paver receives a personal blessing to help the labyrinth do its work in the world. 

Applying the sealer

We finish the restoration by applying 45 gallons of sealer on the labyrinth. At St. John’s we also sealed the courtyard so that everything matched and looked fresh. Fortunately, we had sunny weather to do the work.

Another job well done!

After two full weeks of power washing, sanding, and sealing, the restoration of the Mary Clark Wright Memorial Labyrinth is complete. The labyrinth looks nearly brand new, and it’s ready for many more years of service to the church and the community. We had a wonderful time in Knoxville, which has such a great vibe. Restoring this beautiful labyrinth has reminded us of how much we love the work we do in the world. Even when you end the day covered with sacred muck, it helps to start each morning with a grateful heart!

Labyrinths support military readiness

Soldier walking labyrinth in Angel Garden at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Since we began working with labyrinths more than 20 years ago, they have grown in popularity and importance, emerging from relative obscurity in the 1990s into a full-blown worldwide labyrinth revival in the 21st Century. No longer a fringe element, labyrinths have finally become mainstream once again. Even our armed forces acknowledge the value of labyrinths in maximizing personal readiness and building resiliency among our combat forces. In fact, the labyrinth is now recognized as an important tool to support spiritual and physical health and wellness objectives of the Navy’s 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. 

For us, labyrinths officially entered the mainstream of American consciousness when we received a call in 2011 from Cmdr. Kim Donahue to build a labyrinth at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. We were so honored to have the opportunity to support our troops and veterans with a labyrinth specially designed for their needs—our way of saying “thanks for your service.”

Cmdr. Donahue, chaplain and head of Pastoral Care, told us that when she first checked into the command, she walked by the Angel Garden between Walter Reed Bethesda's Building 8 and 9 and noticed a large empty circle. Her first thought was to put a labyrinth there. She envisioned the labyrinth becoming a spiritual tool that all staff, patients, and family members could use to find peace, pray, or meditate as they walked along its path toward the center. We were ecstatic that her committee chose Labyrinths in Stone to make her vision a reality.

The 42-foot Chartres-pattern labyrinth was completed on November 16, 2011. National Naval Medical Center held an official dedication ceremony the following spring on March 14, 2012, during Pastoral Care Week when the department annually recognizes its staff and promotes its services.

Labyrinth in Angel Garden at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

"This is a community garden, and I want everyone to look at it like that," said Cmdr. Donahue. "This labyrinth is dedicated today, an enduring work of love, to bring healing, compassion, hope and peace, in memory and in honor of all those who have given themselves to free others." She also explained how research has indicated that labyrinths, which have been used in health care facilities for years, can positively change an individual's energy after walking through its path.

After walking through the labyrinth during the ceremony, Dr. Joan Gordon, a transition coordinator at Walter Reed Bethesda, said it reminded her of how life has its twists and turns. "Things always turn out better than you anticipate, and there's surprises along the way," she said.

Along with many other staff members, Gordon walked through the labyrinth toward its center where ceremony attendees could pick up a small stone paver, remaining from the labyrinth's construction, as a keepsake. Attendees could also write a message on the pavers, with permanent marker, noting their feelings about their experience while walking the path. Gordon wrote, "Faith, Hope and Love." "There's so much love here--the love of our patients, the love from family members that motivates us to give our best,” she said. “It's very appropriate to have it here."

Detail of labyrinth in Angel Garden at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center commander, noted the labyrinth's value and its healing capabilities. "What a special event this is for us. It's really a unique tool we have in our tool box to provide healing. I'm very excited that we have this here," Stocks said.

At long last, the labyrinth is now acknowledged once again as an important tool for healing for people of all paths of faith and all walks of life, including our combat forces and veterans. We feel so honored that the labyrinth at Walter Reed has served our armed forces so well, especially those who have given their all. We also feel validated that labyrinths are recognized as an important element of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative to maximize personal readiness, build resiliency, and support the spiritual and physical health and wellness of our armed forces. We couldn’t be more proud to do our part to support our troops and veterans!

Healing with the labyrinth

"Medicine Women in Motion" painting, by Marty Kermeen

For the past twenty years, the labyrinth has led us on a healing path with many unexpected twists and turns. Little did I know back then that I would now be a Medicine Woman!

Check out my henna labyrinth tattoo!

The labyrinth has become such an important symbol of healing and renewal for me that I now wear them as henna tattoos. My dear friend Katie Kuykendall created this beautiful design from a photo that I shared with her. Check out her work and her passion at Henna Designs by Katie. The various patterns make such beautiful body art!

5 Element Drumming and Yoga Class

Making labyrinths has naturally led me to teaching people how to use them, so I am also a labyrinth facilitator. I received my training through Veriditas, the world-wide leader in labyrinth facilitator training. Now, Marty and I travel around the country and the world creating labyrinths, giving presentations, and holding labyrinth walks and workshops. We enjoy meeting so many people and helping them learn how to use the labyrinth for mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. We've witnessed so many miracles on the labyrinth--people healing from the deepest traumas--which inspires us to keep doing this important work in the world.

Yoga Teacher Training workshop

I am also certified in sound healing, shamanism, and Donna Eden Energy Work. I am blessed with a growing list of clients, helping them to shift their energy to remove blockages that cause dis-ease. I often use the labyrinth to help people stimulate stagnant energies, circulate congested chi, and release energetic debris with this powerful healing tool. The results are remarkable!

Energy Medicine Yoga workshop

I also practice Energy Medicine Yoga, and I have created a 5 Element Drumming and Yoga class. This vinyasa flow class combines drumming and yoga to connect body, mind, and spirit. Often, I use the labyrinth to maximize the healing to the innermost parts of our beings while I take participants on a journey of renewal and deep peace.

Belly dancing is my passion!

Yet there's also a lot of fun to be had on the labyrinth, and I can't think of anything more fun than belly dancing on the path. I was introduced to the art form 20 years ago at one of my first Labyrinth Society Gatherings and immediately fell in love with it. I enjoy sharing this beautiful and ancient art form with others.

Belly dancing on the labyrinth

Over the years, I've discovered that the labyrinth is not only a beautiful work of art but also a powerful healing tool. I invite you to discover the many ways in which the labyrinth can improve your life, too.

LIS labyrinth becomes central feature at Louisiana Children's Museum

In my studio in Illinois--actually, a pole barn in a farmer's back forty--I'm busy preparing for the installation of the labyrinth at the Louisiana Children's Museum (LCM) in New Orleans. The labyrinth will be a central landscape feature when LCM moves to a new location in New Orleans City Park in mid-2019. The 7-circuit Essence of Chartres labyrinth will bring "a new level of interactive experiences designed to promote early childhood learning through play," says the LCM website. The labyrinth won't be installed until February, but there's lots for Debi and me to do to prepare for a flawless installation before we ever arrive at the work site.  

Precision cuts are the hallmark of our work.

The project began months ago when we received the contract from the museum, but like the labyrinth itself, there's been quite a few twists and turns in the process, such as construction and weather delays. Making labyrinths for more than 20 years has taught us that every labyrinth we create has its own timeline. We have learned to be patient and trust the process--which is a lot like walking a labyrinth, come to think of it. You think you're heading right for the "goal," but the path suddenly changes direction several times; you seem to be going around in circles and doubling back the way you came, but then find yourself walking straight into the center, and every step along the way has led you there. We have learned how to adapt to sudden changes by staying focused on things we can control, such as making precision cuts with my EDCO high-performance diamond masonry saw. Nearly half of the pavers are being hand sculpted to fit the intricate design before they will be shipped to the installation site next month.

The center rosette takes shape.

It takes a lot of teamwork to prepare for a successful labyrinth installation. While I am hard at work in the studio, Debi is very busy handling everything else: staffing our home office (lots of emails and phone calls!), making our travel arrangements, preparing our home for our extended road trip, managing our household, and most importantly, being a great mom for our daughters, Brittany and Chloe, and grandma for our granddaughter, Lily. Plus, she teaches weekly classes and workshops and has a growing clientele for her alternative healing practice. I don't know how she does it all!

Back in the studio, the rosette is finished, but there are still a lot more pavers to sculpt before we load them on the palettes to be shipped to the Louisiana Children's Museum in New Orleans. Meanwhile, several other projects are in the works, and our calendar is quickly filling up with work that will take us all around the country again this year. Watch this space for the latest developments!