A Spirit Walk is an intentional time to be with the Divine with all your senses.
You are invited to take a Spirit Walk any time you like in the next month. You can walk up a mountain, down the street or even around your home. You can walk alone or with a friend (children can make great Spirit Walk partners as they see the world afresh). You may even do your “walk” while sitting by a window or in a local park.
You can join Pastor Kelly Jane for an in-person guided Spirit Walk on Saturday, November 14 at 2:00pm. Children welcomed to participate in this socially distanced and masked worshipful walk on the flat paved trail of the Great River Park in East Hartford at 301 E River Dr, East Hartford, CT 06108. RSVP to Pastor Kelly Jane helpful, but not required (860-351-7420 or revkellyjane at churchcorners dot org).
You are also invited on Monday, November 23 at 7:00 pm to join on zoom for a time of worshipful reflection with the opportunity to share any insights or challenges met on your Spirit Walk.
Tips for Walking:
Bring water and wear comfortable shoes.
Bring a timer to guide you through each portion, especially if doing walk by yourself or with a buddy.
You may like a journal to record your findings – or print out this sheet to record directly on paper.
The Spirit Walk is written to last about an hour, with periods of rest included. Go at your own pace.
Please adapt for your own needs and environment, walking longer if you feel so called or lingering on particular sections as they beacon to you.
November Spirit Walk/Meditation:
Journey with Gratitude
God blesses us in many ways throughout our life journeys.
This Spirit Walk invites you to soak in the Divine as you journey through ups and downs.
CENTERING:
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” – Matt 11:28
Warm up your body and mind by slowly walking or, if sitting, relaxing into a comfortable position. Take this time to transition from the regular day. Let your thoughts ramble and go. If you are with someone, get your chit chat out and then allow for a time of silence. Set a timer for at least two minutes and begin walking and breathing with deep, slow breaths.
GRATITUDE in CREATION
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord.” – Psalm 96:11-13
As you walk or sit in nature, soak in the beauty of creation through all your senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell. As you notice, give thanks to God for each observation. Thank you, God for the red leaf. Thank you, God for the smell of the leaves….
GRATITUDE in JOY
“Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4
As you walk or sit in nature, look about for something that truly makes your heart rejoice. Stay with that object or thought for a while. Let yourself feel the joy in your whole body. Consider a joyful time in your own life and how the Holy was present to you in that time.
GRATITUDE in STORMS
“A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” – Mark 4:37-40
As you walk or sit in nature, notice where there might be suffering in the world around you. What in nature is hurting? Settle on one object for a while. Let yourself feel the sorrow and loss. Consider a stormy time in your own life and how the Holy was present to you in that time.
GRATITUDE in CHRIST
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 -19
As you walk or sit in nature, notice the transformations in the world around you. How is the change of the seasons impacting the trees? The ground? The animals? How have the seasons of your life changed your views, your faith or your actions? What transformations in yourself or the world do you feel grateful for?
GRATITUDE SCAVENGER HUNT
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Before you turn back, take a break to complete this gratitude scavenger hunt shared by Sharon Walters!
What are you grateful for….?
- In nature
- That makes a beautiful sound
- That tastes good
- That smells amazing
- That has been hard for me
- That I would like to share with others
- That is older than me
- That I recently discovered or learned
- That shows a vibrant color
- That has words on it
- That makes me feel strong
- That makes me laugh
- That makes me cry
- That represents my country or culture
- That is someone I love (outside of my group)
RETURN
If you are walking, turn around to return. If you have been sitting, take four minutes to sit in the impacts of your spiritual practice.
How has this time of gratitude meditation impacted your heart? Impacted your body?
What has this practice of gratitude revealed to you about the Holy?
CLOSING PRAYER
Gracious God, may we journey through life in gratitude, giving you thanks and praise through all the ups and downs of life. Amen.
