To begin my journey, I used one of my Anglican Rosaries that I had received as palanca during a Cursillo weekend. I entered the labyrinth meditating on the Lord's Prayer. I don't remember how many times I repeated the prayer while using the rosary as a guide, but either by serendipity or dumb luck, I finished my last prayer at the middle of the of the labyrinth.
Placing the rosary in the center of the labyrinth, I paused to receive God's grace. I could see the beautiful cherry trees that were in full bloom and the lovely spruce and pine trees around the St. James' property. With a calm mind, I exited the labyrinth in silence. I know that we cannot enter the Sanctuary, but God's Sanctuary is all around us. In the words of the movie Home's alien character Boov we "can come into the out" and experience God's splendor without fear.
I eventually walked around the grounds, past the barn and over to the roughhewed cross on the hill. I wandered over to the Rector's Garden and even looked at the graves. I even had the pleasure to talk with our own Reverend Patti Sachs+ who, with her dog Diego, had just finished walking up and down the hills at the lower part of the extended cemetery. While maintaining social distancing, Patti+, Diego and I marveled at the beauty of the St. James' property.
There are many things that people love about St. James', maybe it's the historic building or the people that make up the church, but I do love the grounds and now I have a better appreciation for those who painstakingly maintain the grounds!
God's peace, Brenda Boucher
