Holy Hikes
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Father Josh of St. John in the Wilderness (bottom left) with the latest group of Holy Hikers on top of Glassy Mountain at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.
Father Josh Stephens believes that St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock has an appreciation and reverence for the natural world built into its DNA. The church was established in 1832 deep in the wilds of western North Carolina. Now, nearly 200 years later, the church has adopted a new ministry called Holy Hikes to invite parishioners and visitors to once again discover and explore the natural world that surrounds them.
As it turns out, the onset of the pandemic was an opportune time to launch the new ministry. During the initial lockdown necessitated by COVID-19, the church struggled to find ways for church members to stay connected. Parish member Cynthia Easterling, like Father Josh, is an avid hiker and they discussed the possibility of doing something outdoors. They agreed that hiking nearby trails might be a way for people to safely gather. “We decided to offer a hike and then have a prayer when we get to where we are going,” explains Cynthia. She and Father Josh agreed that they would try to organize the hikes once a month and gave the new program a name – Holy Hikes.
The new group soon discovered that Holy Hikes is actually trademarked and that there exists a national organization of that name based out of Colorado. The website describes the organization as:
Holy Hikes® is a network of Christian eco-ministries committed to rebuilding Communion between all of God's Creation. We are committed to a common practice of worshiping God in the beauty of the outdoors and hold liturgical hikes throughout the year to immerse ourselves in what John Muir called God's "first temples".
The church was happy to join the new but growing movement. St. John is now the group’s representative for western North Carolina and Cynthia Easterling is the Volunteer Administrator for Holy Hikes in our region. Although currently based out of the Flat Rock parish, Holy Hikes are non-denominational events and people of all faiths – or non-faith – are invited to participate.
Stopping for a reading at the Sandburg Goat Barn
Reaction to the new ministry has been very positive. The group’s most recent hike up Glassy Mountain at Carl Sandburg was attended by approximately 20 parishioners, visitors, and one reporter from Flat Rock Together. Discounting the youthfulness of Father Josh, the average age of the hikers was well into the 60s with the oldest participant - and perhaps one of the most energetic - being 78 years old. The intrepid group started in the Hiker’s Parking log and complete the 3.5 mile round trip to the overlook and back in about 3 hours.
Father Josh has been gratified by the positive response to the new ministry. “Holy Hikes has become something really sacred. We have a community of people that really appreciates the hikes as a time we can be in fellowship and when we can pray in beautiful places. The hikes offer an opportunity to encounter God in creation in the wonderful locations that surround us.”
Communion is offered at the Glassy Mountain Overlook
The hikes do feature spiritual elements and Father Josh offered prayers, readings, and a bit of Sandburg history at various stops during the hike. Once at the summit of Big Glassy, the group was offered the option to participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Father Josh and Cynthia both stress, however, that the spiritual elements of the hikes are always purely optional. The hikes are open to any interested person and there is no requirement that those who participate be either a member at St. John, Episcopalian, or even practicing Christians for that matter. The primary focus of the hikes is to foster community and allow people to enjoy the sacredness of the natural world.
During the year and a half of Holy Hikes, the group has been to DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest most frequently, with a smattering of other local hikes sprinkled into the mix. Cynthia refers to the selection of which routes to hike as a function of “crowd-sourcing” with participants encouraged to volunteer their favorite hikes and take responsibility for navigating the group along the trail.
The hikes vary in length and difficulty to allow less robust hikers the chance to participate when the demands of the trail are more suited to their abilities. There is typically one hike per month.
Talking to the participants during the Sandburg hike, it is obvious that the chance to experience church in the outdoors is a very powerful draw. Cynthia explains, “I love worshipping here in these mountains, so these hikes allow me personally to enjoy both my loves at the same time - hiking and the church.”
Joey Popp, who assists with communications at St. John, particularly enjoys the opportunity to get to know other parishioners who he might not see at church on a regular basis. “It’s a really good way to get to know the other parishioners in a different way after only seeing them in the church.” He also feels it is another way to experience and share in the majesty of creation. “This is a chance for us to have camaraderie and reach out to nature and be in God’s world. “
Sandy and Al Ragl, both age 74, live in Brevard and enjoy the tranquility of being out in the natural world. “It’s a peaceful way to connect with nature and God,” says Al. Mary Boys, although not the youngest of the hikers, was nonetheless among the most energetic and enthusiastic about the outdoor ministry. She was married at St. John and has transitioned from running marathons to more knee-friendly hiking. “We have more fun. I’ll do anything to be outside in the fresh air and I love being with a group of people.”
Father Josh particularly likes that the Holy Hikes communicate the message that conversations with the holy are not confined to Sundays on the church campus. “We're always at risk of thinking that our building is the church. Especially at such a historic place as St. John. This ministry helps remind us that God is all around us.”
Ultimately, Cynthia believes that people who’ve suffered the rigors of pandemic limitations are just anxious to be doing something and doing it with friends new and old. “After the lockdown people are almost giddy with the chance to get out and be together again so we’ve had great participation.”
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To learn more about Holy Hikes and to find out about upcoming hikes, contact Cynthia Easterling at holyhikes@stjohnflatrock.org.
