by Kristin Rhodes
Communications Coordinator
Presbytery of West Virginia
Around 2001, First Parkersburg added a prayer garden and labyrinth to the campus. The Labyrinth is always open, and visitors are welcome to use it.
On the first Saturday of every May, World Labyrinth Day is internationally celebrated at 1 p.m. with “Walk as One at 1” events. The Labyrinth Society and partner organizations sponsor World Labyrinth Day events. The First Presbyterian Church of Parkersburg, WV, has a permanent, outdoor labyrinth and felt called to share this space with the community to celebrate World Labyrinth Day.
Previously hosting events for the “Walk as One at 1” in 2015 and 2022, the planning committee is excited and hopes this year’s event is the first of many annual traditions.
“We have hosted labyrinth walks in the past, and our labyrinth is open all year for anyone who desires to come for a time of personal reflection and prayer,” said Mikki Bosley, who is one of four on the planning committee. “Our labyrinth is open 24 hours a day, and visitors are welcome to walk it whenever they feel drawn to come. We have visitors that walk the path at night and pray.”
While First Parkersburg was built in 1960, the addition of the prayer garden was added around 2001. At this same time, a committee was formed hoping to install a labyrinth within the prayer garden and longtime member, Smoot Fahlgren, offered to build the labyrinth in loving memory of his wife, Judith Ann Fahlgren, who was also a dedicated member of First Parkersburg. With the labyrinth in mind, the prayer garden was designed in the shape of Ichthus, a Christian fish symbol.
Bosley believes the labyrinth helps others see God as the walk has a winding path to a center point, symbolizing a journey with God.
“Labyrinths can be a reflection of our journey here on earth and can be a time to quiet the mind, refresh and heal the spirit, and open your heart to God.”
Bosley encourages others to remember the three R’s when walking the labyrinth: Release: a time to quiet the mind, let go of worries, release burdens and seek clarity; Receive: once you reach the center, take time to pause and reflect — this is the time for meditation, stillness and healing; and Return: reflect on the journey and carry the peace back with you into the world.
The planning team is looking forward to bringing the community together as part of the international movement, passing peaceful energy from one time zone to the next.
“We hope that each person who attends finds space and time for personal reflection, meditation and spiritual healing. We may be just one small place here in this world, but we can all be part of a something larger: a shared movement toward peace, connection and hope.”
First Parkersburg’s in-person Labyrinth Walk will be May 2, 2026, from 12:45 to 2 p.m., regardless of the weather. Finger labyrinths will also be available.
Quiet Minds, Open Hearts
This portable canvas labyrinth Old Stone will use for their World Labyrinth Day event.
New members bring new ideas. As Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, WV, recently welcomed Dr. Rob Meyer-Kukan as a member, he presented a new opportunity to them to host an event for World Labyrinth Day as a meaningful way to connect with the community. Having a depth of experience about hosting World Labyrinth Day walks and events from his time in Michigan, Meyer-Kukan presented this idea the Rev. Julie Olt, who eagerly approved the idea.
While Old Stone does not have a labyrinth, Meyer-Kukan owns an 18-foot, five-curcuit Chartres inspired portable/canvas labyrinth that will be used for this event. The portable canvas will be at Old Stone on May 2 from 1-2 pm as the “Walk as One at 1 p.m.” (local time) creates a “rolling tide of peace across the globe.” The event will begin by sharing a brief history of the labyrinth and providing examples of how to walk. After the walk, there will be an opportunity for community sharing.
“World Labyrinth Day always provided an opportunity for reconnect after a long winter and a sense of hope for the season to come,” said Meyer-Kukan, who is a member of the Veriditas Faculty and sits on the Veriditas Council who train and support labyrinth facilitators. “My family attends Old Stone, and as myself and Rev. Julie are certified Veriditas trained Advanced Labyrinth Facilitators, it is my hope that we can incorporate other labyrinth walks into the life of our community at Old Stone and in the community. With the support and permission of Rev. Julie and the Session, I hope to offer several labyrinth activities throughout the year.”
Prior to his move, Meyer-Kukan began hosting World Labyrinth events in 2020 while in Michigan. As this began during the pandemic, numerous protocols were met, such as ensuring the events provided social distancing, masking and offering family units or “bubbles” to walk at a similar time. As the pandemic settled, Meyer-Kukan and his husband stewarded four to five annual events near their home as a kickoff to Labyrinth Season, ending with the last walk on the last Friday in October.
The labyrinth is described as a place to quiet minds and open hearts, providing deep connection and allowing individuals to hear God. Research done by Meyer-Kukan for his doctorial work found participants enjoy the sense of community and connection.
“Participants may not speak to each other during the walk; but there is a connecting bond that is created in the process of walking together,” he explained.
While many community members are looking forward to the “Walk as One at 1” event, Meyer-Kukan explains that first-time labyrinth experiences are “pure gold.”
“Walking in a labyrinth is such a simple act; but can be deeply profound as well, even in its simplicity. I love to see the aha moments of clarity, insight, community, etc. when a participant walks the labyrinth for the first time.”
Old Stone Presbyterian welcomes other churches and community members to join them on May 2 for their free World Labyrinth Day events.