Members of Williamsville (N.Y.) United Methodist Church work with clay in one of seven Lenten prayer centers. From left they are Drew Wishman, Heidi Robertson and Barbara Salterella. Photo by Judy Toone.

Lenten prayer centers
enhance spiritual reflection

Williamsville (N.Y.) United Methodist Church encouraged meditation, prayer and spiritual reflection during Lent with seven prayer centers set in a parlor near the sanctuary.

Each center included a table, candlelight and an activity or focus to enhance spiritual reflection: finger labyrinths, prayer beads, clay, stones, a quilt, art and poetry, and Holy Communion. Instructions guided individuals through the experiences while soft music played in the background.

Church leaders first intended for the prayer centers to be available only for Ash Wednesday in 2006. Members found them so meaningful that they stayed in place until Palm Sunday.

"They seemed to strike a chord with people," said Barbara Weaver, interim director of Christian education who designed the centers to appeal to different learning styles.

Adults and youth used the centers almost daily – before or after worship, committee meetings and classes.

"It had a very positive impact. We were able to show that there are lots of ways to pray," said the Rev. Gail Lewis, lead pastor. "So many people liked it we will probably be doing it again."

Here are downloadable instructions for all of the prayer centers.

Breath Prayer Center:  BreathPrayer.pdf

Clay Prayer Center: ClayPrayer.pdf

Communion Prayer Center: CommunionPrayer.pdf

Finger Labyrinth Prayer Center: LabyrinthPrayer.pdf

Prayer Beads Prayer Center: PrayerBeads.pdf

Stones Prayer Center: StonesPrayer.pdf

Quilt Prayer Center: QuiltPrayer.pdf

–Adapted from the Western New York Conference Web site at www.wnyumc.org.

AT A GLANCE» Williamsville United Methodist Church | 5681 Main Street at Oakgrove | Williamsville, NY 14221 | (716) 634-4800 | wumc@williamsvilleumc.org | www.williamsvilleumc.org | Lead pastor: Rev. Gail Lewis | Average attendance: 300 | Western New York Conference