First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud participates in annual Fellowship Retreats at the Warren G. Willis Campground and Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg, Florida.  These retreats provide an opportunity for members of our congregation to grow in their spiritual walk with Jesus Christ.  Each retreat is carefully planned and organized by the respective Retreat Team formed from churches throughout the state of Florida.

If you have never attended a retreat, we invite you to come along and join in a life-changing experience.  If you are an "old-timer", please check this section of the website regularly for registration information, photos and testimony and be sure to invite a friend along to the next retreat!!

ABOUT YOUR PRAYER LABYRINTH WALK...

St. Michael's Prayer Labyrinth is located on the grounds of the Life Enrichment center in Leesburg, where the Annual United Methodist Men's and Women's Retreats are held.  The Prayer Labryinth is one of the many ways the Discipleship Ministry Spiritual Formation Team at Leesburg is working to equip people and congregations to pray.  People who walk the prayer labryinth experience and authentic prayer relationship with the living Christ.  They profoundly, yet playfully, experience the mystery of God's presence in a tangible way.  Lives are being changed and transformed.

OVERVIEW OF THE PRAYER LABYRINTH...

Commonly called an "eleven-circuit labyrinth," this singular path lies in eleven concentric circles with thirty-four turns going into the twelfth circle called the "rosette."  There are no dead ends or false passages, but a winding path that leads unerringly to the center.  After you reach the center, you turn around and walk the same winding path out again.  Walking this ancient design while praying gives double benefit.  It calms the body and reduces stress.  For Christians who walk it, this tool provides a space that guides the mind and heart in prayer. The religious community, as well as the medical community is hailing the benefits of prayer.

PRAYER IN MOTION...

The path is a metaphor for our journey in Christ.  There is nothing "magical" about the labyrinth.  There are no tricks the walker must figure out to walk it.  There is only one path.  The walker sees the design laid out before and throughout his or her walk.  Yet, there is the mystery of prayer; that we somehow communicate with our Creator and our Creator communicates with us!

THREE STAGES OF THE WALK...

Entering the path/Shedding Cares - Walking toward the center, we release cares and concerns while emptying and quieting ourselves before God.  As we surrender to the winding path, we find wholeness and healing.

The Center/Illumination - We pray and meditate within the circle, the Rose of Sharon - the Christ, finding clarity for our lives.  We remain as long as we wish, receiving whatever is there for us.

Returning/Union - As we walk back out to the edge, on the same path, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be more authentic in ourselves in our service to the world.