In the fall of 1996, Donna took her first walk on a labyrinth.  Accompanied by Elizabeth Tompkins and Anya Wesseling, they made their way through the snow-covered path at the Episcopal Cathedral in Kalamazoo.  “It really was a trust walk,” says Rathert, who since then has introduced hundreds of people to the labyrinth.  The three women sponsored a labyrinth workshop at the cathedral in May of 1997.  After that they’ve gotten many requests from a variety of groups and individuals wanting to know more about labyrinths.  Sometimes Donna works in tandem with Elizabeth and Anya who’ve mentored Donna in the spirituality of this meditative walking.  In Spring, 2000, Donna was trained and certified as a labyrinth facilitator by Veriditas of San Francisco.  Since that time she has facilitated many labyrinth programs on her own.  She is also an independent contractor with Borgess Integrative Medicine whose canvas labyrinth Donna has used for programs at Borgess and elsewhere.

Here are some of the recent labyrinth programs Donna has given:

            Opening to Gratitude—Borgess Integrative Medicine

            Walking for Peace—4H club

            Garden labyrinths-----Garden Council

            Visiting Nurse Association Inservice

            Wholeness…First Presbyterian Church

            Springfield Middle school staff orientation

Donna tries to walk a labyrinth in every town she visits.  She is a member of The Labyrinth Society, an international association of labyrinth enthusiasts.