Add prayers for peace to the courtyard of Gary UMC in Wheaton

You are welcome to add ribbons with prayers for peace to the courtyard of Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton.

You can either take a ribbon from the church’s welcome desk or provide your own. Write a prayer for peace on the ribbon, and tie the ribbon to the fence in the church’s courtyard at 224 N. Main St. The church will keep the ribbons on display throughout the month of May.

The church also invites you to walk the labyrinth while you are in the courtyard. Labyrinths have been used for Christian prayer for many centuries.

At the labyrinth, you’ll notice pavers that are a slightly different color than the rest of the courtyard. Those pavers form a spiral walking path.

When you enter, follow the path to the center. When you reach the center of the labyrinth, take a moment with God and say a silent prayer. Then, begin your journey back to the start, remembering that with God at our center we will always find our way home.

The church has celebrated deep roots in the community since 1853. Gary Church has vibrant music, kids, youth and adult ministries, plus opportunities for local, national and global missions. Sunday worship is at 9 and 11:11 a.m. In-between services, there’s Sunday school for all ages, a coffee fellowship hour, plus the chapel is available for prayer and reflection. For more information, go to garychurch.org or contact the church office at office@garychurch.org.