By J. Kyle Wilsor and Rev. Joseph Sheeran
Lent is a season observed by many Christians (and others) as a time for repentance, refocusing, and preparation. In the Jewish scriptures, the number 40 occurs often as a time of testing, trial, and endurance in struggle. As we enter into this season, already in a time of struggle — with danger to our neighbors and national turmoil and fear that calls for endurance and response — we recognize the need for care and action in this time that many in our community are meeting.
Woodland Park Presbyterian Church would like to invite all of our neighbors, especially those in need of a quiet space and embodied practices for meditation, prayer, and creativity, to join us for drop-in hours during Lent.
One of these practices is walking the labyrinth, a tradition in many faiths and cultures used to help us “find our center.” It’s not a maze; there is one way in, one path to the center, one way back out into the wider world. Walking the labyrinth is a simple, self-guided physical practice that can be a helpful container for rewarding meditation or prayer.
There will also be various other forms of meditative practice — candles to light, a few pieces of community art open for all contributions, a reading nook, coloring pages. Someone will be available to pray with you if you’d like, though we’ve found many people like to use this time somewhat privately.
The building will be open on Tuesdays from 12p-2:30p and Thursdays from 5-7pm, now through March 31. Come, spend as much or as little time as you’d like. Take a load off during these trying times as we seek the truth of reality and the reality of hope in our world and in our own neighborhood.
WPPC is located at 225 N 70th Street; ring the buzzer at the main entrance on 70th to let us know you’re here.