This fall, we will be exploring themes of the untamable and wild, but simultaneously tranquil nature of God as we embark on short spiritual treks through northeast Georgia. For companions with our morning prayer, we will have such teachers as John Muir, Thérèse de Lisieux, Thich Nhat Hanh, Søren Kierkegaard and Teilhard de Chardin to demonstrate how being in the wild opens a rare view onto one's interior landscape, and how these saints' writings reveal the Divine in nature.

The discipline of hiking in the Appalachians is a metaphor for a spiritual journey. Just as the wilderness offered revelations to the early Desert Christians, backpacking hones crucial spiritual skills: paying attention, traveling light, practicing silence, and exercising wonder.

All hikes will begin on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. If you are interested, please take a moment to sign up here. Once you have signed up, Joe Cash will contact you with meeting locations. Readings will be provided, just bring your water, hiking gear, a snack, and capacity for adoration, the most appropriate human response to what we cannot explain.

Our first hike on October 25th will be Cow Rock at 9:30 for a 1.8 mile in and out hike. The trail parking area is off the Richard Russell Scenic Highway.

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Almighty God, your holiness makes us saints when our day-to-day lives call for us to provide the response Jesus laid out in the challenges of the Beatitudes. Help us and all for whom we pray to follow in his steps – the way of all saints. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our church family and for our parish. Unite us with all people of faith in standing for justice, peace and compassion for all people. We ask your continuing blessings on our presiding bishop Michael Curry, our bishop Robert Wright, our retired bishop Neil Alexander, and our priests Scott and Sue. Bless the Nonnemakers at Virginia Theological Seminary. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

In your mercy, we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives, that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes. We pray for our president Donald, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, that they may compassionately work for justice and peace. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all members of our armed services; protect and defend our troops in deployments in combat zones. Pray for Jamie Davey, Jordan Davey, Brett Turner, Jennifer Parrish, Bart Ziccardi, Robert Rish, Kayla Ziccardi, Frank Caruccio, Joseph Lorenz, Wayne Lovell, Jessica Stephens, Mitchell Stephens, Brandon Richards, Drew Camp and Jason Gregoryk. Guide, guard and protect all law enforcement and first responders, including Don Scalia. Please cover all health care workers with your blessings of protection and strength as they work to save lives, including Dr. William Koeppel, Marika Csatary, JM Kidd, Chloe Gedney, Jackie Hayes, Dr. Barbara Camp, Roxanne Hall, Susie Murray, Susan Smith, and Candler Kimsey. Let our prayers, thanks and love give them encouragement as they face the dangers and the uncertainty of this pandemic. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all people displaced from their homes by war, terror, hunger and climate, including our own West and Gulf coastal regions. Give us grace and wisdom to respond meaningfully where we can and to continue seeking ways back from our carelessness and selfishness of resources. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

This Coronavirus disease that has taken over 233,000 lives, in America alone, deserves our wise attention to public health and safety. Love compels us to respect the health of all the people we might encounter. We pray for them and for the sick, the lonely and their caregivers. Let them experience health and wholeness in your healing presence. Pray for those with immediate needs, including Diane Colleti, Dennis Wydra and Kevin Murray. Pray for those with long-term needs, including Carol Prescott, Helen Schlaefflin, Kelly Smith, Lloyd Mills, Gil Pollit, Jennifer Smith, Kevin LaForce, Dennis Bergin, David Wilkins, Ron Phillips and Chrissy Greer. Pray for family & friends of our parish, including Jackie, Luci, Billy, Gordon Weatherby, Scott Casavant, Emily and Sheila. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for Hannah Kidd Kogel as she awaits the birth of her child. We pray for newborns, infants and children of all ages. Protect them from every danger and sickness. Restore all children separated from their families. In this time, shield all children with safety, love and peace. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

Comfort all who mourn for loved ones lost to sickness, accidents and injustice. We lift to you the lives taken by this pandemic. As we recognize our own fragility, help us to realize and celebrate the sacredness of every life. We remember this All Saints' Sunday those parish members who have died this year: Michael Randall, Doug Phillips, Nancy Lambdin, Helen Greear, Stephen Hall and Bob Kroll. Pray for all who mourn. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

We are joyful and thankful for these among us celebrating birthdays, including Dolores Chandler and Fonda Dodd, and those celebrating anniversaries. Bless their accomplishments and their plans. Give them joy as they celebrate these landmarks in their lives. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.