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Highlands Today

Maze Prayer Garden Winds Its Way To Serenity

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

From left: Church members Ed Graff and Jim Fiedler add block to the outer ring of the labyrinth prayer garden Wednesday at Atonement Lutheran Church in Sebring.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: May 12, 2008

SEBRING — Ed Graff feels a great sense of serenity after walking through the labyrinth prayer garden at Atonement Lutheran Church.

"You walk through the maze and pray as you go, and it's a very moving experience," Graff said. "Your problems just seem to melt away in there."

A few weeks ago the prayer garden was an idea on a sheet of paper and now it is nearly finished and awaiting dedication.

When Graff first mentioned wanting to build a prayer garden, Sheli Gossett said her ears immediately perked up. Gossett and her family were looking for a way to honor their daughter, Kaitlyn Marie, who was tragically killed four years ago when she was trampled by a horse two days before Christmas.

Gossett, of Zolfo Springs, said Kaitlyn and her other three daughters planted a flower garden together while their father, Gary, was deployed to Israel with the Florida Army National Guard.

"In our flower garden, there were three rose bushes, among many other varieties of flowers," Gossett said. "Everyday, when the four girls would travel past the garden to the barn to do their chores, Kaitlyn would literally, 'stop and smell the roses.' Not just one rose, every rose on every bush."

Graff said he found the plans for labyrinth garden, with a 800-foot winding path, on the Internet and began laying stones to build the one-way path through the circular maze with a 50-foot diameter.

There are no wrong turns and only one path leads to the center.

"It was kind of confusing to set up," Graff said. "I got lost a few times myself, but I have it figured out now."

Graff provided the labor and the Gossett family purchased the materials for the garden. The Rev. Jack Biemiller, interim pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church, said he thinks it will make an excellent addition to the church grounds.

"Many people slowly walk through the garden with prayerful minds and meditative hearts," Biemiller said. "When you reach the center, it's a good time to meditate. The whole labyrinth is much like the path of life, with many turns along the way."

The garden, located at 1178 Lakeview Drive, is open to the public. The church will soon host a dedication ceremony.

"There is nothing else like it around, so I hope people will come out and enjoy it," Graff said. "People of all denominations are welcome."

Graff said he hopes to add plants to the garden, and the church is asking for donations of plants.
For more information about making a donation, call the church at 385-0797.

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