GULF SHORES, Ala. -- There are five Thursdays in March in which you are invited to participate at the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church (GSUMC) Lenten, Lunch and Labyrinth event.

For an hour each Thursday beginning at noon, starting March 1^st , there will be different Lenten lessons offered by local area clergy, served with a light lunch with an opportunity to prayer walk the labyrinth. The GSUMC Labyrinth Keepers want to share this opportunity with all people and denominations in the surrounding communities.

The area clergy participating in this community wide event are as follows:

March 1^st, Steven Kurtz from Gulf Shores Presbyterian Church

March 8^th, Allen McBride from Orange Beach United Methodist Church

March 15^th, Jim Dane from Orange Beach St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church

March 22^nd, Chris Coats from Gulf Shores Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

March 29^th, Jody Hanna Kranz from Gulf Shores United Methodist Church

The light Lenten lunch will consist of lentil soup, bread and a drink. The cost of the soup and bread lunch will be $4. For reservations, please call the GSUMC church office 251-968-2411 by noon Tuesday of each week you plan to eat at the Thursday Lenten Lessons, Lunch and Labyrinth.

The Gulf Shores United Methodist Church labyrinth is a Chartres style eleven circuit labyrinth which is a replication of the one found on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France, built around 1200, A.D. The labyrinth promotes and invites a worshipful prayer space to all of God's children.

In days of old, pilgrims traveled to the designated European Cathedrals that had labyrinths as a substitute for fulfilling their once-in-a-lifetime “holy obligation” to walk where Jesus walked. This was the next best thing to going to the Holy Land. These medieval pilgrims often walked on their knees while reciting prayers. For us, during Lent, prayer walking on the labyrinth can represent a journey to Jerusalem.

According to Dr. Patricia Brown, an ordained United Methodist minister, in her book, Paths to Prayer, says “the religious community as well as the medical community, is hailing its benefits. Walking the ancient design while praying or meditating is beneficial to spirit and body. In addition to the spiritual benefit of praying, the process of walking the labyrinth calms the mind, relaxes the body and reduces stress.”

During Lent, carve out some sacred time to let go of all that weighs you down. Open, tend and nurture the sacred heart space within. All you have to do is put one foot in front of another to begin the journey. Walking the labyrinth, is one of many trails on the map of Christianity that may lead us to express our needs and yearnings to Him and seek, in silence, for his answer. We approach the Labyrinth as Christians, carrying away whatever we have received, not from the labyrinth itself, but from our relationship with God.

The space and the experience of walking it are also very sacred and powerful and help us feel a greater sense of Oneness. It is a tool for people of all beliefs to come together for a common spiritual experience. Lent is a special time of spiritual preparation. Come celebrate Lent with us.

For more information regarding Lenten Lessons, Lunch and Labyrinth call the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church office (251 968 2411) or Patti Bodenhamer at 251-968-6297 or pattibodenhamer@gmail.com. The GSUMC Labyrinth is located in the Winn Dixie Shopping center next to the Family Dollar Store in the auditorium. Following the Lenten Lessons, Lunch and Labyrinth, the labyrinth will be available to prayer walk until 7 p. m. each Thursday during Lent. Future labyrinth walks will be April 12 and May 10 from 3–7 p. m.