Peace, Contemplation and Community

IN A DAY AND AGE that seems to be rife with chaos, Cathie Sklenar- Studwell, the reverend of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, began to ponder how her parish could be more of an open space for community and healing.

She wanted to get back to the roots of authentic spirituality but admitted that doesn’t always happen within the walls of a church building.

She had come across a labyrinth while on a retreat—in Christianity, the circular series of pathways has deep significance, representing a journey of faith, contemplation and spiritual growth.

She, along with an outreach discernment team, felt it would be a meaningful addition to St. Bartholomew’s grounds on Sheridan Avenue. The project seemed kismet when lifelong parishioner Austin Hintz came to her seeking a project to complete as part of the requirement to become an Eagle Scout—the highest rank in Boy Scouts of America.

“We want it to be open to everybody,” Sklenar-Studwell says of the completed labyrinth. “The tagline of the Episcopal church is: All are welcome. We wanted to take that to the next level, outside the doors.”

CELEBRATING THE JOURNEY

Labyrinths have a unique appeal that speaks to the human soul, Sklenar-Studwell said, adding that their beauty lies not just in their intricate design but also in the journey they represent.

“Labyrinths can transform a simple walk into a meditative experience,” she says. “As you navigate its paths, you are reminded that the journey is just as important as the destination. With each step, the labyrinth invites you to contemplate, to reflect on the choices you’ve made and the paths you’ve taken. It’s a metaphor for life’s journey where each decision leads you closer to self-discovery.”

Hintz always knew he wanted to work with the church for his Eagle Scout project; it’s a loving community that has supported him throughout his life, he says. He was also proud to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Trevor, who painted the church’s Fellowship Hall for his Eagle Scout project years ago.

After doing some research on labyrinths, the idea appealed to the Scout, 17, and a junior at Northern Highlands Regional High School.

“It provides a great place to practice mindfulness and general religious wellbeing outside of the church sanctioned services and events,” Hintz said. “People don’t have a lot of time; there’s lots going on—it’s giving the greater community a place that they can practice religious faith or general spirituality when they can’t actually get to church.”

Sklenar-Studwell says she had worked with Hintz during his confirmation process back in 2022 and was excited he agreed to take the project on. She was blown away by his commitment.

“I’ve never seen such professionalism,” she said. “He was the general contractor of this project, and it’s phenomenal work.

PATH TO COMPLETION

Hintz said he began the process by watching tutorials on how to build a labyrinth on YouTube to understand what he was getting into.

After meeting with town officials to get any necessary permits in place and survey the area where he planned to build, he made a plan to gather materials, including bricks from Home Depot (which offers a discount to Boy Scouts) and sand from Winters Supply.

The Scout used mathematical equations and CAD (computer-aided design) software to map out the labyrinth and calculate the amount of materials needed.

Along with church officials and members, Hintz decided on a labyrinth that would have seven rings and pathways just under a foot wide, with one entrance and exit that faces the setting sun.

He relied on help from his fellow Scouts to get the job done. They started by using stakes and rope to measure out the pathways then marked them with spray paint. They laid the bricks out to kill the grass underneath and visualize the labyrinth before using an edger and other tools to dig a trench.

Before laying the bricks, they poured carefully measured sand into the trench and patted it down to create a stable, long-lasting foundation. They used a mallet to secure the bricks and poured more sand on top to seal the cracks.

“It was a lot of manual labor, but everyone pitched in to get it done,” Hintz said. “It was a really fulfilling project, and I enjoyed the work and this opportunity to give back to the church.”

A commemorative sign celebrating Hintz’s work was placed next to the labyrinth and parishioners Ghada Harb and her husband Mike Egbert decided to donate a peace pole to the area.

“The last few years, we’ve been hearing a lot about people needing peace,” Harb says. “Anxiety is at an all-time high, and we thought a peace pole that invites the whole community to reflect and celebrates diversity as a whole would be a perfect complement to the labyrinth.”

Harb and Egbert worked with the organization May Peace Prevail on Earth International to create a special 8-foot peace pole for St. Bartholomew’s that includes the word “peace” in 17 languages. Harb, a Palestinian American, says it has been an incredibly tough time for her people, and to her, the labyrinth and peace pole represent hope.

“Peace is what connects us to hope in humanity,” she says. “If you don’t have peace within yourself, you can’t be full of humanity. If we’re able to really give one person peace, it has served its purpose.”

Sklenar-Studwell agrees. St. Bartholomew’s is a church that has long celebrated inclusion and helping neighbors. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has used the building for weekly meetings for many years. The church has a food pantry and Bart’s Closet, where those in need can come for free food and/or clothing. It donates to Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson and House on the Hill, an early childhood and migrant seasonal head start center that provides education, family engagement, health, nutrition and community partnership services.

“We have to be able to expand the church and the meaning of church,” Sklenar-Studwell says. “The labyrinth is in nature where you can breathe the fresh air, and it’s really designed to help you detach from everyday worries and obligations so you can be open to the God of your understanding. We hope all members of the community will come enjoy it.”

For more about St. Bartholomew’s Church, visit stbartshhk.com.

BY SARAH NOLAN