Worship Together in the Beauty of the Outdoors
People of all ages gather on trails up and down the I-5 corridor for a guided hike and to share readings from scripture, prayers, conversation, and time for reflection. Sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little time experiencing nature in community with fellow travelers. If you have any questions or trail suggestions please reach out to Alex Flannagan, Holy Hikes Coordinator for Western Washington. Holy Hikes of Western Washington is sponsored by the Diocese of Olympia, the Episcopal Church in Western Washington.
Holy Hikes Calendar:
- For a full list of upcoming hikes, please visit the Holy Hikes Western Washington Facebook page.
We hike on Saturdays throughout the year at 10:00am unless otherwise specified.
If you would like to help or if your church/place of worship would like to co-sponsor a hike, please reach out to Alex Flannagan. Thank you!
Our Roots
It has been said that “people will protect what they love.” The ultimate goal of this ministry is to help individuals be renewed in their love-relationship with the earth, the universal church, and with their Creator.
Holy Hikes® brings people together in the midst of creation, and foster an encounter with the Sacred. The environmental crisis today is, at its core, a broken relationship between the human community and the earth. There is legislation being pushed to address environmental issues and advocacy groups working to bring change to our destructive and unsustainable ways. Those are important. History has also proven that a broken relationship is ultimately mended, not by the force of law, but rather by the slow laborious work of rebuilding that relationship. Even in the environmental movement, the earth can be subjugated and treated as just an object that we care for, rather than as a subject with which we are in relationship.
Holy Hikes® was founded by The Rev. Justin Canon in the San Francisco Bay Area
About the Holy Hikes Coordinator for Western Washington
Alex Flannagan, pictured here (far left), founded the Holy Hikes chapter in Western Washington in 2021. He believes the natural world to be full of thin places, where we can tune in to that-which-connects-us, deepen our bonds with Mother Earth, and discover ourselves in the company of fellow travelers. With a background in leadership development, outdoor education, and mental health, Alex has spent 15 years running programs for youth, adults, and vulnerable populations. Highlights include co-directing the Bleeding Disorder Foundation of Washington’s “Camp I-Vy” program for children affected by hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, leading the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia’s youth ministry and summer camp programs, and volunteering for the American Camp Association’s accreditation program.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do I have to be Episcopalian to go on these hikes?
All are welcome to join us for Holy Hikes® gatherings regardless of religious affiliation. - How tough are the hikes?
The hikes are typically 3-5 miles and low altitude gain though it varies trail-to-trail. Check our Facebook page for more specifics on upcoming hikes. - What is a liturgical hike?
We’ll stop periodically along the trails to worship – reading, praying, and listening to the sweet sounds of Creation. It’s also a good opportunity to hydrate. Worship resources will be provided as/if needed. - Are dogs welcome?
Yes, dependent on the rules of the park we hike in. Please keep your dog on a leash, clean up their poop, and have them under control at all times. Aggression will not be tolerated (from dogs or people). - Can I set up a hike in my area?
Yes! Please contact Alex Flannagan for more information.
Holy Hikes® calls us beyond the walls of comfort, to take a step, perhaps even a hike, towards reunion with the earth and all its life and beauty…
Contact:
Alex Flannagan
425-577-1217
