The congregation of St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Mottville is hosting a mediation labyrinth next week in Weedsport at the First United Methodist Church

“We're having the labyrinth at the Weedsport church because the Mottville church did not have the right type of basement to accommodate it,” said Valerie White, pastor of both churches. “It's an ancient way of praying. It's very spiritual and very moving. Everyone experiences it in their own way.”

The design of this labyrinth is painted on a series of canvas panels that are set together, but the history of labyrinths in meditation goes back many centuries.

Although most people might find being in a labyrinth a confusing experience, the opposite can actually be true. A maze is a puzzle that gives the participants many choices to take before hopefully finding the way through. A labyrinth has an easily navigated route into its center and back out

There are labyrinths in many famous cathedrals and churches around the world. There are several levels to the symbolism of labyrinths that reflect the life of a Christian. The route represents life with the challenges it brings. Entering the labyrinth is representative of being born and facing the world for the first time. Reaching the center is like attaining eternal life.

Marcelline McLean, manager of Cokesbury Religious Bookstore in Syracuse who owns the labyrinth, will give an introductory presentation before anyone starts walking.

“We've been sharing the labyrinth for about six years,” she said. “The exciting thing is that people pass you going the same way or in an opposite direction. They're all walking the same path, but it doesn't look like they are.

“It triggers a heightened awareness. It opens people's minds. You may walk it, and it's profound, or sometimes it's very quiet. Just like our Christian walk.“

Sandy Patrick, who is the chairperson of the St. Andrews ministry team, said the labyrinth was White's idea.

“We're hoping the community will take part,” she added. “We've invited 16 other churches. We want to reach out, and we want to deepen our prayer lives.”

White has been serving as parish assistant at the two churches. On July 1, she will participate in a special ceremony at the denominational annual convention in Syracuse. At that time, she will become a full pastor.

“I was in the candidacy program to become a pastor with the United Methodist Church,” she explained. “They asked me to take on the two churches. I'm still completing course work. I should finish within a month. This was something I started looking into in 2004. I was assigned Marcia King as a spiritual guide. She was the former pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church.”

Before taking on ministerial duties, White served as the director of the Cayuga County Healthy Men's and Women's Partnership.

She has stepped down to a half-time position of case manager to allow her to work as a pastor.