The Amazing Labyrinth: a parish story from Collingwood

By The Rev’d Bruce Everett

4 March 2026

Mazes and labyrinths have been used for hundreds of years, from the landscaping of Hampton Court Palace in England to Chartres Cathedral floor labyrinth in France and to films like Steven Speilberg’s The Maze Runner and Harry Potter’s third task in the Triwizard tournament in the Goblet of Fire. 

What’s the attraction and what’s the difference? Mazes are designed to pass through – eventually – after twists, turns and dead ends designed to confuse. Labyrinths are designed to be walked from entrance to centre and back again without confusion, often for meditation. Since 325 C.E.,  Christians have placed a labyrinth on the floor of their church. And pilgrims have walked the labyrinth, letting go and receiving spiritual (and practical) insights for their return from the centre. A helpful verse is: "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy." (Psalm 16:11).  In this way, rather than the maze’s problem to be solved, the labyrinth serves as a metaphor for life. Sure, there are twists and turns in life, but it’s about discovering who we are and who we want to be. It is about learning, and at its best, it can be transformative. 

This is how it’s been at St Philip’s, Collingwood. As part of our Community Partnership with the Judy Lazarus Transition Centre, where near-release male prisoners help with our gardens and other projects, we’ve built a labyrinth together. In the process, we’ve understood how negotiating the justice system can feel like a maze – tricky, confusing, multiple dead ends. People pass through the system, but apart from getting out, what have they learned? Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has no tricks; it’s not a problem to be solved. It’s about accepting our situation; ourselves; and even help where offered.  

The labyrinth at St Philip’s, Collingwood. Image credit: The Rev’d Bruce Everett.

Let me share its effect on one of these men, and on us. It’s the story of a family man, a good man gone wrong, who was judged and spent the past five years in gaol. His nascent Christianity was strengthened as he relied upon, had to rely upon, Jesus. Recently we hosted the JLTC Community Partners lunch and he spoke about his experience and the importance of his being accepted by us. He quoted from Proverbs 11:25: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed", and he thanked us for refreshing him. He spoke on behalf of the other residents who, through acceptance by the various Community Partners, were not only prepared for transition into society, but transformed into respected contributors. We were part of this raising of hope, of refreshing others, and you know what? We too were refreshed. And we’ve done this because? Because of the hope that Jesus gives us that people, that all people, can be transformed. That we can truly live out Christ’s mission in Luke 4 to proclaim good news to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, grant freedom to captives, recover sight for the blind, and set the oppressed free. This amazing labyrinth is proving to be one means to support this transformation.