(scroll down for UPDATES...)
CONNECTION…
Connections within congregations;
Connections with other denominations;
Connections with the community;
Connection…with God.
As part of the Reformation 500 initiative in South Florida, an ecumenical service project between the Lutheran and Roman Catholic communities of South Florida is being planned!
Initially, Pastor Katie Carroll (Christ the King, Miami) and Sue DiFerrari, Director of the MorningStar Renewal Center, connected. Together, they dreamed of a prayer labyrinth to be created on the MorningStar grounds in Pinecrest, Florida, open to individuals and groups for meditation and reflections.
They realized:
• a common thread tying faith communities of all types is the experience of contemplation.
• A labyrinth can be a common space for all to find nourishment for the spirit.
The idea both took root, and took flight, and the project was given the name Digging Deeper than Doctrine, designed to create a space that would be important to all. The project will be accomplished with volunteers from a variety of congregations.
Already, many other connections have been made.
• Volunteers from Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches have formed a planning team.
This group has Spirit-filled excitement—
• members have studied the various types of labyrinths;
• determined the optimal style, placement and materials for the one to be built at MorningStar;
• developed a timeline for completion;
• and spread the news to the larger community.
• A highly skilled landscape architect assisted by a college intern have devised a master plan.
• Funds are being raised from a variety of sources.
UPDATE:
ARTICLES ON THE LABYRINTH:
Labyrinths provide a path inward toward God, devotees say
OTHER REFORMATION 500 EVENTS:
Reformation 500 observances: Mark these dates
GROUNDBREAKING TOOK PLACE on Sunday, February 26, 2017 when volunteers from Lutheran churches, Roman Catholic churches and local students came together to break ground and create the boundaries of the labyrinth. The event began with a prayer of dedication, thanksgiving, blessing the ground and each other, and praise to the God who calls us together to bring love, hope and healing to the world.
Pictures of the day are below!
- Planning the Labyrinth
- Pr. Katie Carroll (CTK-Miami) & Sue DiFerrari scoping out the land
- The landscaping team making sure of the measurements
- Setting the center of the Labyrinth
- Pastor Katie greets volunteers
- Sue gives instructions to the work team
- Open the work day with Prayer!
- A cloth labyrinth to inspire the work
- Blessing each other and the ground…
- Kelli & Pastor Andreas bless the sacred Labyrinth ground!
- Chloe & Chesney bless each other!
- Thrivent Rep Keith Berman putting the shovel to the ground
- Kelli’s got this!
- Chloe too!
- Keith again – hard worker!
- Groundbreaking Day near completion