Our Saviour Lutheran Church holds a "Quiet Retreat" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday April 4.

The "Quiet Retreat" is a meaningful way to mark the beginning of Holy Week, says Pastor Pam Northrup. "At this retreat, you are invited to practice the spiritual discipline of keeping silence as you engage in a variety of activities. Come to pray, reflect, meditate, read, create, write and rest in the presence of God."

The retreat begins with an opening session in Deese Chapel at 9 a.m. and ends with a soup lunch at noon.

"In between, the time will be unstructured, inviting you to move about at your own pace and need," says Northrup. "Suggestions for ways to spend your time during the retreat will be provided when you arrive. You may participate in as much of the retreat as you desire."

While at the "Quiet Retreat," participants are encouraged to pray the labyrinth. A labyrinth is a symbol that represents wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. Unlike a maze, which has many dead ends and false passages, a labyrinth has no dead ends. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The path will lead you to the center and back out again; you cannot get lost. Suggestions for praying the labyrinth will be provided at the "Quiet Retreat."

The labyrinth at Our Saviour Lutheran Church is a canvas replica of an ancient labyrinth constructed around 1200 A.D. in the stone floor of Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. By walking a replica of the Chartres labyrinth, participants are rediscovering a long-forgotten tradition. Long ago Christians were expected to travel to the Holy Land at least once in their lives. Travel was often dangerous and difficult. Making a pilgrimage to one of the great cathedrals that had the design of a labyrinth in the floor was allowed as an alternative to the pilgrimages during the Middle Ages. Christians are now rediscovering the significance of the labyrinth as a spiritual tool for meditation, centering, and healing.

"You may wish to bring your own Bible, devotional materials, and journal for recording your reflections," says Northrup. "If you plan to pray the labyrinth, you will need to wear or bring clean socks."

Our Saviour Lutheran Church is located at 1517 Luther Way in Southern Pines.

For more information contact the church at 910-692-2662. No registration or participation fee will be collected.