JOY’s 7-circuit canvas labyrinth
By Diane Waddell
The Justice, Outreach and Yoga (JOY) New
Worshiping Community is a part of the 1001 NWC
program of the PCUSA. The group gathers in St.
Joseph, Missouri, in a sacred, beautiful space where the prairie has
flourished, offering solace and quietude for the restoration of body and soul.
JOY was birthed from a Laudato Si
understanding of seeking equity in both environmental and social justice.
Leaders and others who are part of the community share opportunities for sacred
connection. We are a Matthew 25 community, seeking justice, and are
particularly grateful for the three recently added “intersectional
priorities” to Matthew 25, including the importance of working as faithful
stewards of God’s Creation to respond to Climate Change.
Our Community meets at least three
times a month. Our spiritual gatherings begin with candle or sage burning,
prayer vigil for local or global needs, and the music of singing bowls. Our
themes have been based on Celtic spirituality which keeps us grounded and
centered in Creation. Alternate months we share and are amazed by the work of
the mystics such as Hildegard of Bingen, who offered an essence of “greenness.”
We have been gifted by one of the
members, Rev. Dr. Krista Kiger, with a 7-circuit canvas labyrinth, and have
been able to share a special sacred time of a labyrinth walk at least twice
yearly. Our hearts, minds, and spirits are enriched by the sacred walk.
We are strengthened and nurtured
in our space and through our community. Our next steps are those in which we
reach out to the wider community — our neighborhood and the wider region to
advocate for the healing of the Earth. (Refuse, reuse, recycle; limit or refuse
single-use plastics; plant native flowers, shrubs, trees; care for our gift of
water, air, earth…)
Indeed, for we ourselves to be healed
and whole, we must nurture and care for this beautiful home called Earth.
Diane Waddell
is Leader of JOY New Worshiping Community.
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