Bringing an Idea to Life!

Last August I was inspired to send an outline for an article idea to the editor of the Veriditas Labyrinth newsletter.  I noticed that the "theme" for the Fall/Winter issue was "Photography, Technology & Research". I thought that the story of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, and our use of this blog and our FB page, to help support our fundraising campaign, might be of interest to the newsletter readers.

Here is the email I sent to the Editor and her almost immediate response!

Hi Robin:
Attached is an outline of an article we would like to propose for the Veriditas Fall newsletter. We understand that the final issue of 2011 will have a shared them of “Photography, Technology and Research”… Let us know if you think this article fits your theme – and if so – what are the guidelines (ie. number of words, number of photos needed, and deadline for submission)…
Thanks!
Christine Hume
Volunteer – Carleton Place Community Labyrinth
Veriditas Trained Facilitator

Hi Christine!
Thanks so much for contacting me about your article idea. I love it (and your blog is wonderful, too)! Thanks for following my blog and our Facebook page, too. I will be sure and follow you back.
Please limit your submission to 500 words and include 1-3 high quality photos along with the name of the photographer so we can credit that person as well (even if it is you). Also, please attach a short bio on yourself as the author that we can include at the end of the article.
We'll aim to publish by late November, so if I could have your piece by Friday, October 7th, that would be great!
You've really boosted my spirits today, I want to thank you. Working on the Veriditas Journal is a labor of love. I always tell myself, if even one person reads it and gets something from it, then it will be worth it. Still, it is so nice and encouraging to actually KNOW we have readers out there...
How did you like The Caregiver Issue? A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to write an article for the Journal on "The Many Labyrinths of Canada." Loved learning about your beautiful country....
Have a great weekend!
Peace for your Path,
Robin

I am so proud to say that our article "Building an Online Footprint, One Step at a Time" was published on pg. 11 of the Winter issue of the "Spirit of Veriditas" Newsletter - and you can read it here! 

Interesting labyrinth view!

How to Make Your Own Lantern!

Making a Lantern: Small gift type boxes or gift bags, empty milk containers, take out containers; cracker or tea boxes can all be adapted to lanterns. All of this type of lantern will need cut outs to let the light through. Decorate the outside of the container and add a handle to your creation with rope, ribbon, wire, or pipe cleaners.

Milk Carton Lanterns

Mason jars and large plastic bottles with the tops cut off make great lanterns when decorated with coloured tissue paper. If using plastic bottles make sure to punch 2 holes directly across from each other approximately I/2 inch from the cut top.
 
Step 1: Use a half and half solution of white glue and water to stick pieces of tissue to the container. Working in sections, apply the glue mixture to the container with a small paint brush and place the tissue over the glue area.
 
Step 2: Completely cover the container with a collage of the tissue, add stickers, sparkles and any other embellishments. Apply a small amount of glue over any pieces of tissue paper that appears to be dry or not sticking to the container.

Having fun making jar lanterns at Labyrinth Fest!

Step 3: Let dry overnight and add a wire handle for carrying.
 
Step 4: Use a battery operated tea light or glow stick to make a lantern that is safe to carry.

Help light the path at the Harvest Labyrinth Walk - see you there!

Harvest Lanterns Will Light the Carleton Place Labyrinth on Saturday October 1st

On the evening of Saturday October 1st, a parade of candlelit lanterns will illuminate the path of Carleton Place's newly built community labyrinth to celebrate a "Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk".  Festivities take place at 7:00 pm., behind the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum, (formerly the Victoria School Museum) at 267 Edmund Street in Carleton Place.

Luminaries and lanterns light the path!

The "Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk" is a popular fall event, as families from across the region bring along their festive lanterns and enjoy an evening labyrinth walk. Last year, more than a hundred participants of all ages enjoyed a walk to celebrate the bounty of autumn. Along with a candlelit path lit by hundreds of luminaries, expect to find a roaring bonfire, music, and refreshments – all chosen for the harvest theme!

Bring your own lantern or borrow one of ours!

Bring along a chair and a lantern (or borrow one of ours) and join us as we celebrate harvest-time with a candlelit lantern walk along the path of the community labyrinth!

For more information, contact Debby at 257-1014

Memories of Labyrinth Fest!

Memories of a wonderful day!

Deborah:  What a lovely day – long awaited. All of our work came together in (yet another!) fantastic event. It was very satisfying to see the labyrinth in place – the landscaping, the benches, the stone bench with finger labyrinth, the people, and the weather! Glorious, warm but not humid, breezy, weather. The labyrinth is now in place for anyone to visit any time; it is accessible to everyone, and it is a beautiful addition to our community We can put together events so much more easily - I am already looking forward to the Harvest Lantern Walk!


Picking the perfect rock to carry onto the labyrinth!

Julia: People came early, children all over the Labyrinth...
THEN THE BLESSING. This was uplifting and joyful, enfolding the group, even before we entered the Labyrinth, hand in hand. From then on it was a truly fantastic day, filled with music and laughter.
NOW I know why I’m involved with the Labyrinth.


Opening with the lovely sounds of the harp.

Chris:  It was an absolutely perfect summer day - a bright blue sky, and everything just seemed to flow magically! It was wonderful arriving early and seeing Doug put some finishing touches to the labyrinth landscape. Our hearts were singing a joyful song all day long - and the labyrinth energy seemed to fill the air and space of that time and place!  The photos taken that day really help to tell the story... 

Drumming circle added to the labyrinth fest celebrations!

Ronette: It was a magical day to see it all come together after so much thought and preparation were put
into it. Not sure which was the most special moments of the day - looking out - with all of you on the stage and realizing we had truly arrived at this "Day" and seeing the number of folks out there and friends who supported us and the Labyrinth and believed in it.  Listening to Vanessa say her prayer and the holding of hands and one of the ladies next to me saying "how good it felt " to do this! It truly was a beautiful day and we were blessed and so inspired by it all.

The labyrinth is officially declared open!

Debby:  Our celebration was as wonderful as it could possibly be. I am so very proud of all of us for creating the Community Labyrinth and as I said in my speech:
“No one accomplishes this type of project alone.
No single person is responsible for this beautiful space.
Together (sponsors, and supporters) we have been able to bring to Carleton Place a special space for quiet reflection, meditation, prayer and fun community events.”
How grateful I am to my committee for their dedication and determination to this project and how blessed I feel to work with such a wonderful group of women.

These words came to us as a thank you from someone who walked the Labyrinth.
“ I pray others see the Labyrinth as a calming force in their lives. For them, I thank you and your companions for your insight in a world so needing a time and a place to take a deep breath and a moment to reflect”.

Body, mind and spirit are soothed today!

Karen: peony petals

float below a cloudless sky

softly in circles
hold my hand let's walk

...good to be in this moment

summer on our faces

the grass path is soft

and can take many footprints

hey a butterfly!

Heather:  You’ve all said it so well, in every aspect, it was a grand day!


See you at the Harvest Lantern Walk!



Dedication of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth - June 18, 2011

Preparing for the dedication!

We who are gathered here hold hopes and dreams for this beautiful labyrinth. Take a few moments to silently identify our own desires and prayers for this wonderful healing tool. (Pause.)

I invite you to cup your hands before you. (Like this.) Imagine putting all your desires for this labyrinth in your hands until they are overflowing.

As you open your hands outward, send all the possibilities that you have imagined for this healing tool toward it.  Thank you!

I am going to offer several prayers for this labyrinth. After each, I would invite all of us to respond by repeating the following phrase,
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

If you would like, lift your hands toward the labyrinth as an indication of the blessings we are sending to it.

The positive energy could be felt by all!

Leader:
Please join me as we dedicate this labyrinth.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May this labyrinth be a place where we welcome the hopes that are brought here, as well as the pain, the questions, the sighing, the laughter, the tears, and expressions of surprise.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May those who arrive in despair find the courage to step over the threshold into the possibility of transformation.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May those who walk here seeking wisdom, find it.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May those who travel the labyrinth’s path carrying heavy burdens discover the ability to set them down.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”


We all feel connected!

Leader: May the center be a place where those who are exhausted find rest, where those who are grieving receive comfort, and where those who are dejected encounter unexpected joy.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May those discovering new perspectives here, find the courage to act on them.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May all who experience the labyrinth discover Divine Love as their companion.

Community:
“We dedicate this labyrinth to the well-being of our community.”

Leader:
May it be so! Amen

Closing the dedication with a chain dance to the centre!

CREDIT:
The prayer was from Jill Geoffrion, and I changed some a bit.  Vanessa Compton

The Granite Bench!

This Wednesday the "Finger Labyrinth Granite Bench" was installed at the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth.  We chose to show the Chatres pattern as the finger labyrinth - as this demonstrates that there are different styles of labyrinths, this one being the most dramatic! 

Using your finger to trace into the center and then out again, will give you the possibility of experiencing some of the same healing, centering and guiding energies you can find by walking the full-size version.  Remember to bring some of the calmness and stillness you feel with you as return to your busy life!

Bench installation by the creators - Kinkaid & Loney Monuments, Smiths Falls



The Chartres Labyrinth's geometric form beautifully etched in granite.



A place to pause and ponder!



Labyrinth Fest - Schedule of Events

“Labyrinth Fest” which takes place on Saturday, June 18th from 10 am to 4 pm, is a celebration to open our new community labyrinth! Labyrinth Fest will be a community wide and beyond celebration, the schedule for the day is unfolding wonderfully!

Schedule of Events (as of June 2nd)

• 10:00 am  Welcome - Harpist Marion Miller and Janice Parton
• 10:15 am  Opening Ceremonies - Mayor Wendy LeBlanc
• 10:30 am  Blessing of the Labyrinth & Facilitated Walk - Vanessa Compton
• 11:00 am  The Saturday Singers: Gloria Baker, Peter Brown, Frak and Mary Martens
• 11:30 am  Learn About Labyrinths, Presentation - Debby Lytle
• 11:30 am  Drumming Group
• Noon         Yoga Demo with Tamara and Tomasz from the Yoga Station
• 12:15 pm  Lunch
• 1:00 pm    Taoist Tai Chi Demonstration
• 1:15 pm    Sara Mitchell, Singer/Songwriter/Musician
• 1:30 pm    Learn About Labyrinths, Presentation - Debby Lytle
• 2:00 pm    Facilitated Labyrinth Walk - Marie-Chantale Noël
• 2:30 pm    Barley Shakers Musical Group
• 3:00 pm    Pets in the Labyrinth, Facilitated Walk - Christine Hume
• 4:00 pm    Close

Vendors
Finger Labyrinths in Glass and Polymer Clay, Handcrafted Journals - Joanne Foster
Meditations in Watercolor and Pencil - Jacquie Christiani
Swirlicious Jewellry - Teri White
Labyrinth Pillows and Hangings - Joyce Layman

Food Vendors
Saigon's Delight
St. James Anglican Women's Council

Other Attractions
Children's Activity Table
Carleton Place in Bloom/Carleton Place & District Horticultural Society
Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Hall of Valour