Carissa Smentowski, who played a big part in creating the Peaceful Path, receives a hug from the Peaceful Path Director Jamie Reagan during the World Labryrinth Day program.
Photo by Madison Bierl
East County
Neighbors
Share
Surrounded by trees on Peace Presbyterian's Peaceful Path, community members gathered "to create a rolling wave of peace."
World Labyrinth Day was founded in Australia in 2009 by the The Labyrinth Society. People around the world are encouraged to "Walk as One" at 1 p.m. local time to represent the idea of world peace. It is always the first Saturday in May.
On the Labyrinth Society website, there is a list of over 6,200 labyrinths in 90 different countries. Lakewood Ranch's Peaceful Path can be found there.
Chris Snow is the elder for the Earth Care and Social Justice Committee for Peace Presbyterian Church. He explained attending the event and walking the labyrinth provided a place for peace and contemplation.Â
"Clear your mind, focus on releasing thoughts, stress and tension," Snow said. "When you get to the center, pause for as long as you would like. There is no set time frame or process to do this, other than be thankful that we're here on such a beautiful afternoon and are able to be part of something worldwide."Â
Â
He said peace for all is the goal and it felt wonderful to connect with people in different communities, countries and time zones.
Jamie Reagan is the director of the Peaceful Path. She said this is the first time they have held an event for World Labyrinth Day as they were unaware of it. She is already looking forward to planning another event for next year.Â
"Just by showing up today, you've already begun a walk for peace," Reagan said. "Continue that walk however you want, however, you can walk with people around the world today and every day. Do it in your own way, but just keep on walking and searching for peace." Â
Jamie Regan, director of the Peaceful Path, says the purpose of walking a labyrinth is to "send energetic waves of healing, peace and comfort to places of tension and conflict."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Guitarist Jonathan Sammons is joined by his daughter, Genevieve, May 2 on the Peaceful Path.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Eirinn Camphire, the ministry coordinator for Peace Presbyterian Church, tells those in attendance the history of World Labyrinth Day.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Chris Snow, the elder for the Earth Care and Social Justice Committee at Peace Presbyterian Church, says World Labyrinth Day is a wonderful way for people of different communities, countries and timezones to connect.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sally Schoeffel and Joyce Giberti are among the attendees to sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" around the labyrinth for World Labyrinth Day May 2.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Don Bouchard, Tim Jarosik and Nancy Jarosik gather before the World Labyrinth Day program on the Peaceful Path May 2.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Eirinn Camphire, Tina Juillerat, Jamie Reagan, Chris Snow and Debbie Snow explore the Peaceful Path after the World Labyrinth Day program May 2.
Photo by Madison Bierl
The Peaceful Path, which includes the labyrinth, is a meaningful place for Carissa and Nathan Smentowski. Creating it was Carissa's Eagle Scout project in 2022 and Nathan proposed to her there last October.
Photo by Madison Bierl
As part of Carissa Smentowski's Eagle Scout project in 2022, she created a sign that provides directions on how to properly utilize the labyrinth on the Peaceful Path.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Chris and Debbie Snow were joined by their dog, Vincent Van Dog, for their walk through the labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day May 2.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Hank Wampole and Carolyn Levins, members of Peace Presbyterian Church, greet guests as they enter the Peaceful Path.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Eirinn Camphire and Tina Juillerat stop to admire a butterly made of wood on the Peaceful Path May 2.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jamie Reagan, director of the Peaceful Path, encourages community members to continue to find peace in their hearts through spending time in nature.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
