Dorothy Prouty, who suggested a labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Church more than a decade ago, works with Stephanie Wallace, Mineral Point High School junior, to raise the stones during Key Club Community Service Day.
The labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Church had people on their knees last Wednesday.
Mineral Point High School students refreshed the labyrinth as one project during Key Club Community Service Day.
“Look at how many people are helping,” said Dorothy Prouty, who first suggested the labyrinth 12 years ago. “Can you imagine how long this would take with just two or three people? We are so grateful for all the help.”
Justice Hendrick created the labyrinth in 2014 as his Eagle Scout project.
Time and plant growth meant the stones needed to be raised. Students dug out the stones, added new sand and then pounded them back into place.
“It was buried, a lot of it,” said Mark Prouty. “They’re doing a really nice job.”
The Key Club, affiliated with Kiwanis, helps plan the event. Mineral Point’s activity is the only one that involves the entire school, said Shayna Sigg, a sophomore.
“It’s nice to get a day off school during testing season,” said junior Violet Renwick. “We can reconnect and help people. Then we go back and play games with our friends.”
The service day tradition signals the end of the school year is approaching and it’s fun to help people, who are grateful, she said. “Last year a lady brought out her cat and it was adorable,” Renwick said.
Near the corner of Church and Iowa streets, a new sign with a QR code will explain the labyrinth’s history and purpose, Dorothy Prouty said.
“We invite the community to come for meditation, for relaxation, for prayer,” she said.
The single, winding path is an ancient way to slow down, reflect and reconnect body, mind and spirit. Walking is therapeutic, she said, and walking the circular path from its beginning to the center is like life: “You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
Students accompanied by teachers worked in groups at about 20 locations all throughout town, including Orchard Lawn and the Mineral Point Dog Park, doing yard work and other chores.
“If somebody needs help, we’ll come and figure out a way to help them, today or any other day,” said junior Stephanie Wallace.