Back


Woodbridge News

Print this Page

June 17, 2004

MEDIA ADVISORY. . . MEDIA ADVISORY. . . MEDIA ADVISORY. . . MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Mayor Pelzman to attend Labyrinth Consecration at 9/11 Memorial Garden

WHEN: Saturday, June 19, 3 p.m.

WHERE: Trinity Episcopal Church, 650 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge

WHY: Right Rev. George Edward Councell, 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, will consecrate the new Labyrinth, part of the Church's Memorial Garden honoring the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 - which included 2 Trinity parishioners

In the very beginning of Woodbridge, back in the late 1600s, Trinity Episcopal Church sat at the center of town - occupying the village green where the daily drama of community life played out in episodes of sorrow and joy, tragedy and hope.

For three centuries Trinity Church has been an integral part of Woodbridge history. With the consecration this Saturday of the church's 9/11 Memorial Labyrinth, it continues the tradition of linking past, present and future.

The church has constructed a labyrinth in its memorial garden dedicated to victims of September 11, 2001, eight of whom called Woodbridge home. The labyrinth is a landscape pattern popular in the Middle Ages that is specifically designed to encourage prayer and meditation. Composed of 11 concentric circles divided into varying lengths and sectors, the labyrinth invites the visitor to enter and experience the space as one of spirituality and reflection

"This is a very profound way of remembering our citizens who were taken from us that horrible day," says Woodbridge Mayor Frank G. Pelzman, one of the invited guests. "It will be a special area the community can visit to pause and remember."

The Trinity labyrinth includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center Towers. At the entrance, a 9/11 Remembrance Flag flies bearing symbols that recall the events of that day: the Twin Towers located inside the shape of the Pentagon marked with four stars representing the four airplanes used in the attacks.

Construction of the Trinity labyrinth was accomplished by the members of the church's Brotherhood of St. Andrew during the Fall of 2003. Right Rev. George Edward Councell, 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, will deliver a formal consecration June 19 at 3 p.m.

Rev. Robert Counselman, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, cites the labyrinth's value as a tangible prayer site. "Some people come to the labyrinth and say simple prayers, others recite The Rosary or just walk and meditate. As you walk the labyrinth, you may discover that the cares and concerns of your daily life melt away as you grow more centered in the spirit and more detached from the cares of the world."

The 9/11 Labyrinth and Memorial Garden is open for meditation and prayer at all times. For more information call Trinity Episcopal Church at 732-634-7422.