INSIDE SCOOP

The Labyrinth at UMCA - what you may not know

Overview

Located on the grounds of the United Methodist Church of Anacortes, the Labyrinth offers a quiet and welcoming space for prayer, meditation, and reflection. Completed in 2012, The Labyrinth Company designed this 30-foot Medieval 8-circle labyrinth. This space offers opportunities to pause, breathe, and walk at one’s own pace.

What Is a Labyrinth?

A labyrinth is not a maze. With one path leading inward and the same path guiding walkers back out, it offers a simple and meaningful way to slow down and reflect. The journey can symbolize movement toward the center of one’s deepest self and a return to the world with renewed awareness, calm, and perspective.

Many visitors experience a labyrinth walk in three gentle stages. The path inward may be a time to release worries and stress. The center offers a moment for stillness, prayer, or listening. The return path provides space to carry fresh insight or renewed peace back into everyday life. Each walk is personal, and people find it meaningful whether they arrive with a specific intention or simply a desire for quiet.

History and Funding

The labyrinth was completed through a partnership between the Anacortes Park Foundation and the United Methodist Church of Anacortes. Community support helped bring the project to life – approximately $10,000. Funding was raised through engraved commemorative bricks, available for $50 with one line of text or $100 with two lines. Additional support came from Island Rentals, Lakeside Industries, Lang Construction, Mammoth Stoneworks, the Samish Indian Nation, Strandberg Construction, Scout Troop 4081, and many individuals who contributed funds, time, equipment, and materials.

Spiritual Practice and Community Setting

The United Methodist Church of Anacortes supports practices that encourage contemplation, prayer, and spiritual formation. Alongside traditional worship services, the congregation offers meditation opportunities and other gatherings that nurture personal spiritual growth. The labyrinth complements these practices by providing a dedicated outdoor space for quiet reflection at an individual pace.

The church’s setting adds to the labyrinth’s sense of welcome. Located in Anacortes, a community known for its natural beauty and maritime surroundings, the church offers an accessible place of retreat within the city. Members, neighbors, and visitors are invited to experience the labyrinth as part of the congregation’s broader commitment to hospitality and spiritual renewal.

The labyrinth offers a peaceful invitation to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect. Whether used for prayer, meditation, or personal reflection, this welcoming path provides a meaningful way to seek greater awareness and inner calm. The labyrinth is open to all.