Cindy Creasy’s Memorial Labyrinth and Butterfly Garden
You are invited to Cindy Creasy’s Memorial Labyrinth and Butterfly Garden at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church! Please come walk, sit, and meditate a while. Invite others to join you. It’s a public space open to all – neighbors and churches near and far.
The labyrinth is a walking meditation. For many this ancient spiritual practice symbolizes our journey of faith. The concentric circles weave and twist, but always carry the seeker to the center, a place of meditation and illumination. The exit path then takes the seeker back into daily life in the world.
Here’s more about the labyrinth and how you might use it.
Ways to Use
There are many ways to use a labyrinth. Here are a few possibilities:
- The maze symbolizes our journey of faith. As you walk inward to the center, reflect on turning points, challenges and times of insight and growth in your faith to this point in your life. Pause in the center, thanking God for walking with you these past years. On the way out, consider attitudes and actions which will help you be more faithful and loving. As you leave the circle, pray committing yourself to specific actions to deepen your discipleship.
- Walk the maze inward – praying for others, self and the world;
Sit on the bench in quiet reflection.
Walk the maze outward – offering praise and thanksgiving to God! - Slowly walk the maze inward, listening for God in silence. Sit on the bench and read a scripture repeatedly & carefully. Slowly walk the maze outward in silence, asking God’s Spirit to help you understand and live the message.
You are invited to use this sacred space to search for identity and meaning and connection with God, the good earth, and others.
Suggestions for Walking
Enjoy your journey! Here are some general suggestions for walking the labyrinth.
Before you begin:
Consider seeking a focus of reflection for your walk. You might offer a silent prayer, reflect on personal concerns, ask God for guidance, or simply invite the presence of God to be with you.
Try to shed distractions and prepare
for a time of meditation.
During your walk:
Maintain silence. Proceed at your own pace, pausing or passing others as you wish.
When you reach the center, feel free to pause for a time. Sitting or kneeling or standing, you may wish to meditate, pray, read the Bible or simply be open to God’s Spirit.
As you depart:
Follow the same path outward. The way in is the way out.
As you exit you may wish to reflect on what you have gained from your experience and what you wish to take back into your life and the world.
Please visit again soon!
History
Earth Day 2014 inspired us to play a more active role in being good and better stewards of the earth. Native trees, shrubs, and a labyrinth with a permeable surface and butterfly garden were selected for priorities of impact and became our big wishful concept. Our dear friend Cindy Creasy had a big smile on her face when she learned about the labyrinth and butterfly garden; but she succumbed too soon to pancreatic cancer in July 2014 before our big wishful concept became a reality.
- Thanks to numerous people, all criteria for our big wishful concept became a reality:
a more earth-friendly front lawn - labyrinth and butterfly garden memorializing our friend Cindy Creasy in an as beautiful and inspiring manner as Cindy lived
- native plants that attract butterflies, birds, bees, and humans
- a place to sit and linger in reflection, gratitude, and joy for God’s many blessings
- native trees for shade over Phideaux Field, the parking lots, and 44th Street
- low growing buffer plantings to capture rainwater runoff
- community outreach with a spiritual message not only for Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, but also for neighbors and churches near and far
- a visible demonstration of FHPC’s hospitality to all
Generous memorial contributions from Cindy Creasy’s family and friends made possible Cindy’s labyrinth, butterfly garden, and benches, all surrounded by pink dogwoods. Red maple, cherry, rose of sharon, and red bud trees from Cindy’s friend Roseann Walling were planted along Phideaux Field and 44th Street.
A row of large red oak trees and pink and white dogwood around the front parking lot were made possible by memorial funds from family and friends for long-term member and elder Maurice Rowe.
Gifts from patrons of Phideaux Field Dog Park enabled the new trees and shrubs along Forest Hill Avenue.
In 2018, a variety of native plants expanding the butterfly habitat were made possible by family and friends for long-term member and elder Virginia Wrenn who was always interested in having a butterfly garden at church.
The design and master plan were penned by gifted landscape architect Drew Harrigan of Four Winds Design (a RiverWise preferred designer). Materials and construction were made possible by the talents of Sneed’s Nursery & Garden Center.
