By GENEA NOEL

Freeport News Reporter

After months of hard work by volunteers, Grand Bahama residents will now have a chance to appreciate the beauty of the sacred Labyrinth at the Garden of the Groves.

The Labyrinth will be officially dedicated on Saturday November 1, in a service lead by Rev. Dr. J. Emmette Weir supported by Bishop Sobig Kemp, Chairman of the Christian Council.

According to Barbara Chester, who is headed the group that worked on the labyrinth, it is unique in that it is the first one on the island.

Chester explained that the magnificent piece of art is not just beautiful, it represents creation.

"It is really a path that is as old as mankind and brings us back from where we came from."

Chester said that the labyrinth brings peace and clarity into one's life by walking the circular path which creates a beneficial surge of energy.

She said that a labyrinth has one circuitous path from the outer circle to the centre; thus no linear thought is required and since there are no walls or other restraining physical elements, there is a relaxed feeling of complete freedom and peace.

Noting that labyrinths have been in existence from pre-historical times, Chester said that the first Christian labyrinth was constructed in the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres in France in 1201.

The path symbolically allowed the pilgrims to walk to the holy city in the centre and return by the same path to the outer circle,"

This path, she said, in Chartres is 1/6 mile long and was walked by many pilgrims on their knees.

Chester said the public is welcomed to come and visit the labyrinth and hopes that as the business community begins to fully understand and appreciate the far-reaching value of the labyrinth, more funding will come to cover debts.

She said that the labyrinth at the Garden of the Groves will be listed on the worldwide labyrinth locator as the only Chartres-style labyrinth in The Bahamas.

At the dedication service, entertainment will be provided by the Regency Choir and Paradise Pans Band of the Bishop Michael Eldon School.

Chester said that all faiths are invited to the service to reconnect with God at a place created for healing and peace for the community.

The service begins at 4:00 p.m and donations to the cause and completion of the labyrinth can be sent to GB Labyrinth, P.O.Box F42633, Freeport, Bahamas.