Greetings from your Deacon ...

Dear Ones,

In the cathedral in Chartres, France, there is a mosaic floor design of a labyrinth. It is like a maze, but you can't make a wrong turn in it. There is only one path that you follow through twists and turns, doubling back and moving forward, until you find yourself in the center.

Many churches, retreat centers, and seminaries have made models of the Chartres labyrinth, for use as a tool for spiritual meditation and prayer. Those who walk the labyrinth with a question in their hearts, or with an openness to God's Holy Spirit, find themselves more fully aware of God walking with them through each step of their lives.

The path of the labyrinth is narrow, just wide enough for one person to walk. It may seem a solitary, meditative journey to the center and back again into the world. But there are also others walking at the same time, and you will inevitably pass one another. At times, the parts of the path are parallel, and two may walk together for a while; but then the routes diverge, and you each take your own part of the journey - perhaps to meet up again later, and certainly to meet at the end of the odyssey. Even though each person takes his or her own journey, there is still a sense of companionship and the solidarity of a shared destination.

In these last several months, I have been privileged to walk part of my life's "labyrinth" in companionship with you. You have welcomed me into your church, into your lives, and into your hearts. We have worked and ministered together. You have taught me much, and I hope I have helped you grow, as well.

On June 23, I will serve for the first time as a priest at the altar. It will be an opportunity for us to celebrate together the important role St. John's has had in my journey toward priesthood. It will be an opportunity for me to say "Thank You" for the joy and privilege of traveling with you. Even though our paths will appear to diverge at the end of June, remember: we are still on the same journey, to the same Center, to be strengthened to serve together in the world.

Faithfully yours,

Lydia Huttar Brown, Deacon