01/18/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Cedar Rapids]

Contact: Linda
319-363-2029  

Worldwide Circle of Labyrinth Commemorates Tsunami Victims, Survivors  

Christ Episcopal Church will host a water labyrinth to commemorate the victims and survivors of the 2004 tsunami on Sunday, January 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the church’s undercroft. This is part of a worldwide event to dedicate the day to the remembrance and well-being of all people affected by this disaster.

According to The Rev. Dr. William J. Pugliese, Christ Church Rector, “This is an opportunity for people throughout the community to come together for prayer and meditation, using water themes such as fountains, shells and bowls of water to remind us of the healing and restorative power of the seas. We invite everyone to join in this hour of prayer and remembrance.”

“The idea was sparked by the web site www.waterlabyrinths.com,” says Leslee S of Christ Church, chair of the Jubilee Commission, a group in the church that oversees outreach planning and fundraising. “All over the world people will be walking labyrinths on the seashore, by a lake or river, or, as we will do, indoors with water reminders throughout the labyrinth.”

A labyrinth is a spiritual exercise done while walking along a winding path leading from the edge to the center and back to the edge again. Based on the circle, the universal symbol for unity and wholeness, the labyrinth sparks the imagination with a sense of relationship to the whole, and challenges the intuitive part of our nature.

The labyrinth at Christ Episcopal Church is a replica of that discovered at Chartres Cathedral in France over 350 years ago. All participants are asked to remove their shoes before entering the labyrinth and maintain an atmosphere of reverent meditation during the visit.

A freewill offering will go to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). All offerings to this fund are sent immediately to direct relief for tsunami survivors. ERD is a 501(c)3 corporation whose administrative expenses are 10.3% of total expenditures.

# # #