Outdoor Labyrinth

Rediscovering the Labyrinth is a promotional video of the labyrinth. You can view the Video here.

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John Allen, of Elementals Designer Garden Company, has been commissioned by the St Columba Community to co-ordinate the creation of an outdoor labyrinth for Grey Lynn.

The Labyrinth team: John Allen, Ree Boddé, Karla Brodie, Kirsty Garner, Hugh Kempster, Katie McLean, Adrian Roche, Donna Salmon, Gina Upton

What is a labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a sacred pathway, walked as a pilgrimage. It is found in religious traditions in various forms around the world. There is only one path so there are no dead ends, it is not a maze.

Why create a Labyrinth?
As buildings and the pace of our lives encroach upon our outward and inward space, it becomes increasingly important to find ways to restore a sense of space and peace. The concept of the Labyrinth has been remembered and addresses these problems in a simply and beautiful way. Labyrinths are extremely economical in terms of space, which means that pockets of disused urban land can be transformed into needed spots of beauty.

A short history of the Labyrinth
In Medieval times, the pattern of a labyrinth was marked out in a sacred space such as a Cathedral. Pilgrims who were unable to make an actual pilgrimage, would make a pilgrimage of the heart, their feet pacing the intricate pattern into the centre of the labyrinth, then retracing their steps back. In a similar way, hundreds of years later, labyrinths are being created in quiet places so that we, who are unable to make long retreats from our busy lives may find refreshment in these small havens of peace

Where are we up to with the project?

2002 Stage one - Design
Penny Cliffen from UNITEC's School of Landscape Design set her class the project of designing a Labyrinth garden. The winning design was adapted for the project. Thanks guys!

2003 Stage two- Fundraising & Beginnings
This year has seen the formation of the Labyrinth core group and commissioning of landscape designer John Allen. The Grey Lynn Community Gardens have committed to the project too and bring their expertise of organic gardening, and permaculture to the project. Thanks to funding from the Hostel of the Holy Name Fund (Anglican), Western Bays Community Board, and the ARC Environmental Initiatives Fund, we have been able to get the project underway

2004 Stage three- Completion
All is now set up for completion in 2004.

2005 Stage Four -Enjoy
The finished Labyrinth and gardens will be open to the public for general use. Research into a Labyrinth Garden healing programme is currently underway, and we hope to employ a Labyrinth Co-ordinator in 2005

How can you be involved?
The Labyrinth team meet once a month to discuss and implement the various stages of the project. If you'd like to help, please contact johnallenzen@hotmail.com. or call us on (09) 376 - 4229

St Columba Church

92 Surrey Crescent Grey Lynn
Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

Telephone +64 9 376 4229, Fax +64 9 376 4225
Postal: P.O.Box 78-080, Grey Lynn Auckland 1030, New Zealand

Vicar: The Rev'd Dr Susan Adams
Associate Priest: The Rev'd Dr Keith King
Community Services Co-ordinator: Megan Crawford
Web Master: Jennifer Gottschalk (Computer Plus)
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