Prince George
County, VA

Ivey Memorial dedicates prayer labyrinth


Youth takes project from the classroom to the church grounds

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD — the community has a new path for prayer at Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 17120 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Dedicated on Easter Sunday, the church’s outdoor prayer labyrinth was designed and constructed by youth member Chris Ganoe.

An international baccalaureate student at Prince George High School, Chris was required to complete a capstone project to successfully finish the five-year program. His capstone project was to have community impact and align with a personal passion and interest. Given his strong faith and commitment to the church, it was an easy decision to take the project from the classroom to the church grounds.

With the support and guidance of his mentor, Pastor Anita Mays Lucord, Chris proposed the project to the church council and trustees as a way to enhance the church life of Ivey Memorial, as well as provide an opportunity for community outreach. Once the project was approved, Chris received financial support from various church members and groups, as well as discounted pricing on materials from Lowe’s Home Improvement of Chester.

Project funding and approval was the easy part. Challenged by winter weather and a wet spring, Chris and family members cleared brush and yard debris from the surrounding wooded area, cut tree limbs and removed buried trash. Ditches had to be cleaned for better drainage, and the construction site dug out and leveled. Once a ground barrier was laid, 41 walking stones were patterned in a spiral design that leads to a brick cross in the heart of the labyrinth. Three tons of gravel finished the design and connects the prayer labyrinth to the church’s outdoor chapel. Final touches included a chain perimeter and dedication sign.

Ivey Memorial’s prayer labyrinth is an outdoor space that anyone can use for silent meditation through personal thought and prayer. Prayer labyrinths have been used for centuries by all faiths for personal prayer walks, and have proven to provide spiritual, emotional and health benefits to people. Chris believes the prayer labyrinth is an opportunity for people to experience the power of prayer.

The Progress-Index

Youth takes project from the classroom to the church grounds

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD — the community has a new path for prayer at Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 17120 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Dedicated on Easter Sunday, the church’s outdoor prayer labyrinth was designed and constructed by youth member Chris Ganoe.

An international baccalaureate student at Prince George High School, Chris was required to complete a capstone project to successfully finish the five-year program. His capstone project was to have community impact and align with a personal passion and interest. Given his strong faith and commitment to the church, it was an easy decision to take the project from the classroom to the church grounds.

With the support and guidance of his mentor, Pastor Anita Mays Lucord, Chris proposed the project to the church council and trustees as a way to enhance the church life of Ivey Memorial, as well as provide an opportunity for community outreach. Once the project was approved, Chris received financial support from various church members and groups, as well as discounted pricing on materials from Lowe’s Home Improvement of Chester.

Project funding and approval was the easy part. Challenged by winter weather and a wet spring, Chris and family members cleared brush and yard debris from the surrounding wooded area, cut tree limbs and removed buried trash. Ditches had to be cleaned for better drainage, and the construction site dug out and leveled. Once a ground barrier was laid, 41 walking stones were patterned in a spiral design that leads to a brick cross in the heart of the labyrinth. Three tons of gravel finished the design and connects the prayer labyrinth to the church’s outdoor chapel. Final touches included a chain perimeter and dedication sign.

Ivey Memorial’s prayer labyrinth is an outdoor space that anyone can use for silent meditation through personal thought and prayer. Prayer labyrinths have been used for centuries by all faiths for personal prayer walks, and have proven to provide spiritual, emotional and health benefits to people. Chris believes the prayer labyrinth is an opportunity for people to experience the power of prayer.

The Progress-Index