2022-05-25

Lunenburg house of worship unveils project, makes plans to mark 250th birthday

LUNENBURG - The long tradition of the Zion Lutheran Church in this town is being celebrated with special activities, a service and, later this month, the formal opening of a prayer labyrinth in the church garden on Fox Street.

The local church, considered the oldest operating Lutheran house of worship in Canada, is marking its 250th birthday. "It's a big deal for the church," said Gale Fullerton, chairperson of the 250 anniversary planning committee.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the labyrinth is scheduled to take place May 29 following the 11 a.m. Sunday service. The event encompasses a smudging led by a Mi'kmaq elder and comments from community leaders. The public is invited to attend this free event.

The project involves brick pavers, a circular pattern, strips of grass, signage, solar lighting and at least one bench.

"It's an enhanced outdoor space the community is welcome to use," Fullerton said.

"We just want to, instead of inviting people into our four walls, let them start in our garden," she added, with a laugh.

Construction in the church garden began with a ground-breaking ceremony in late April.

"It was a neat idea; it was the pastor's idea, actually," Fullerton said. "We wanted to do something that was not only for the church but for the community."

There will be banners installed to pay tribute to the church, she added, but those eventually come down but the labyrinth will remain for years to come. The project also builds on the town's desire to improve green spaces in the old town district, Fullerton said.

"It's a symbolic thing," she said of the labyrinth. "It's a brick pathway that meanders through the church garden and it symbolizes a person's journey to spirituality. The idea is it's a place for reflection; a peaceful place."

When one journeys back out from the labyrinth, "the idea is they share their spirituality with the world," Fullerton said.

Also in acknowledgment of the milestone is a special anniversary service on June 12, starting at 2 p.m.

"This will be the major event of the year, with Lutherans from around Nova Scotia joining us," Rick Pryce, the church's pastor, said in an email.

"Leadership for the service will be provided by the national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Rev. Dr. Susan Johnson, the bishop of the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC (and) the Rev. Dr. Michael Pryse." The pastor said special music will be provided by a local classical music choir, soloists and others.

"A reception will follow the service, which will be held in the Parish Hall of St. John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg," Pryce said.