Sanctuary and Grounds
Our sanctuary is located on three beautiful, park-like acres just north of Interstate 12 in Lacombe, LA. There are numerous trees and flowering plants, a memorial garden, a children’s playground, a labyrinth for walking meditation, and many benches for contemplation. The sanctuary seats up to 75 very comfortably. There is a small kitchen used to support after-service activities and events just off the foyer leading to the sanctuary. The former parsonage, which is currently occupied, is located on the grounds just behind the sanctuary.
We welcome individuals wishing to celebrate weddings, funerals, memorial services, or similar rites of passage, and non-profit groups whose activities are consistent with our beliefs and principles, to use all or parts of our facilities. For more information on using our facilities, please contact our office administrator at office.nsuus@gmail.com or print and submit the Building Rental Application form.
Our Open Sanctuary
Designed with spiritual geometry, our modern sanctuary is a contemporary building that harmonizes with its natural surroundings. The open interior allows it to be easily configured to accommodate church services, weddings, art shows, large meetings, and other special events. The floor to ceiling windows at the sides and front bring the beauty of the outdoors into our visual experience.
Gardens and Labyrinth
Our Feng Shui Garden includes paved stone walkways, sitting areas, the Memorial Garden, a labyrinth, a fire pit, and a children’s play area. Our children use the garden for outdoor religious education programs. Our church members use the garden for a variety of special occasions. Our labyrinth is available to all for walking meditation, reflection, and spiritual enlightenment.
The Memorial and Meditation Garden is a place of serenity for memorializing and interring the ashes of those taken from us by death. Under the trees and bamboo in a corner of the church garden, surrounded by shrubs and flowers, it offers repose for survivors as well as the deceased. Plaques are placed on a Wall of Remembrance, and those wishing to bury or scatter ashes of loved ones (church members, relatives or friends) may do so. Having a place to visit a loved one fulfills a natural human desire to be remembered, and offers a focal point for honoring those who have passed on.
Memorial Garden
The brick Labyrinth in the Feng Shui Garden was designed and laid by a few dedicated members of NSUUS. Prayers and intentions of NSUUS congregants were placed beneath many of the bricks. It has been used in Solstice, Equinox and New Year celebrations, wedding and memorial ceremonies, and for personal growth and meditation in adult and children's religious exploration.
The Labyrinth is a tool for spiritual and personal growth that transcends religious differences. It is used for walking meditation and/or prayer. Ancient Labyrinths of various designs have been found on every continent. The Labyrinth has been used for contemplation, spiritual meditation, and celebration by many Earth-centered people throughout history. The Christian church in Europe adopted it as a representation of pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the design of this 11-circuit Labyrinth is found on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. More recently, Labyrinths are used in fields of psychology, medicine, and healing arts for addressing personal as well as social needs.
About the Labyrinth
Walking the Sacred Path
There is one path to the center of the Labyrinth and the reverse path back out. It's easy! Keep an open mind and bring a prayer or positive intention for your walk. In the Labyrinth, as in life, you may feel lost or confident, you may be distracted by other people and/or blessed by their presence, you may find yourself judging or wanting to rush through it to get somewhere else. Notice how you respond to what happens on the Labyrinth, and breathe in and out love and compassion, come what may. You may dance, walk, or in any way make your path to the center. You may pass others; you may rest along the way on any large painted space. As long as you come with respect, there is no wrong way to do it! You are finding your own way, in the presence of others.
Going in: RELEASE. As you go in, let go of anything that would keep you from stepping forward in life - tension, expectations, fears, self-will, old messages, pain, events of the year, etc. Release thinking, planning, judging. Focus on your steps and your breath. Let go with each exhale.
The Center: RECEIVE. Allow yourself to sit or stand in the silence, receiving insight and inspiration. What are the seeds of your dreams? Feel a sense of receptivity. Breathe. Be. Listen. Love. Trust.
Coming out: INTEGRATE. This phase of the walk is about putting it all together. United with Spirit, with intuition, with Divine Love, how will you bring what you've received into your everyday walk? How will you Walk your Talk? Let each step be an intention to manifest your truth in the coming season of your life.