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Holy Hikes

When it comes to creation care, one of the best ways to become inspired to be better stewards of our home is to connect with nature. When coupled with our faith, the realization of the gifts all around us become deeply rooted and impossible to ignore.

Christ Church, Charlotte, has brought together nature and faith with their new offering, Holy Hikes. Weather permitting, a local hike is offered twice in the spring and twice in the fall for those who wish to gather to get some exercise while enjoying nature, fellowship and deepening their faith.

The location varies to ensure options that are accessible to every physical ability and fitness level. The hikes to date have begun with a centering exercise by Mollee Rietz, wellness director at Christ Church. The first offering concluded with a brief Eucharist, while another was guided by the Rev. Connor Gwin, who encouraged participants to engage their senses along the way, sharing at the conclusion what they saw, heard, smelled and generally experienced. All bring together a connection and awareness to the surroundings with an encouragement to let go of daily stresses and be present in the moment.

Holy Hikes are an offering that can be enjoyed by congregations and self-organized groups as well as individuals. If you want to try one, simply find a place that offers a chance to walk among nature, and then take a moment to center yourself before starting. Breathe deeply, think of a scripture passage that has meaning for you or simply say a prayer.

However you do it, what matters is that you are connecting to nature’s gifts and remembering once more what a gift it is, a gift we cannot take for granted.


The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop

    The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson

    Assistant Bishop

    A native of Texas and a graduate of Yale, the University of Texas School of Law and Fuller Theological Seminary, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson’s early career was spent in the practice of commercial financial law. She was ordained in 2009. Following her ordination, she served first for two years as assistant rector at St. Stephen’s in Wimberley, Texas, and then as vicar of Saint Elizabeth in Buda, Texas, until her consecration as bishop suffragan of the Diocese of West Texas in 2017. Throughout her ordained career, Brooke-Davidson’s focus has been on congregational development, evangelism and formation, with a particular passion for developing adaptive leadership capacity in ordained and lay leaders.

    Immediately prior to joining the Diocese of North Carolina as the assistant bishop on November 1, 2022, Brooke-Davidson served as the assistant bishop in the Diocese of Virginia, a position she held from 2019 until 2022. She is no stranger to transition, as part of her role there was working alongside the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, bishop suffragan and the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese of Virginia until the consecration of the Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, who was elected the 14th bishop diocesan ion June 2022. As assistant bishop, Brooke-Davidson served in a full range of capacities, including Sunday and other visitations; oversight of the diocesan regional structures, including the deans; oversight of the Committee for Congregational Mission; support of persons in the ordination process; congregational development; conflict transformation; and work with other diocesan committees and commissions.

    In her role as assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, Brooke-Davidson focuses on Christian formation, church redevelopment and leadership training.

    Brooke-Davidson is joined in North Carolina by her husband, Carrick, an environmental attorney and sports enthusiast. They have two grown daughters, Emma and Kate.

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    200 West Morgan St, Suite 300
    Raleigh, NC 27601

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    200 West Morgan St, Suite 300
    Raleigh, NC 27601

    Contact Us
    (919) 834-7474

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