North Shore SING

Our Mission

North Shore SING (Spirituality in Nature Group) provides monthly outdoor events via hiking/snowshoeing, kayaking/canoeing.  Based on the North Shore of Massachusetts and Ipswich River Watershed, we explore beautiful trails and rivers, lakes, ocean.  We offer a contemplative, meditative experience for deepening spiritually in the midst of nature.

Philosophy of SING

We draw upon wisdom from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions exploring the intersection of spirituality, science and our natural world. Our focus: Deepening Oneness with Earth and the Divine.

'Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.'

       ~ John Muir mystic, founder of the Sierra Club

The natural world is a sacred place. As we grow to understand this, we grow in our desire and capacity to learn from and protect the natural world.  This becomes our sacred work, a sacred trust.

Walt Whitman, the great American poet, and mystic, put it this way: ‘I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell.’

An Invitation

If this focus resonates with you, we invite you to gather with other kindred spirits as we form a respectful, caring, curious community. Check out the variety of program opportunities (Program tab). To reserve your place on our next scheduled event: RSVP for SING

What to Expect on a SING

Each SING begins with a welcome and safety orientation to the days event. Events are generally 2 - 3 hours in length. A list of what to bring, where to meet and what to expect is sent via email a few days in advance.  A SING generally focuses on cultivating a contemplative spirit while on the trail or on the water. 

Some events are free and some may have a rental fee for equipment or parking.  Note: While safety is a priority, each participant is asked to read and sign a liability waiver. RSVP via Events/Register. If Full a 'wait list' is provided.

Hikes and paddle events are generally geared to adults and youth. With level of difficulty rated per event: Easy, moderate, challenging.

Family Friendley Events: Some events will be for famiiles with younger children, encouraging a playful and creative spirit.

Meditative Practices for the Trail or Water

On a SING event we seek to slow down, take a deep breath and savor the beauty of nature. SING events may offer a meditative practice. Here are some options we offer:

Option 1:  Lectio Divina an ancient practice of listening to a piece of sacred wisdom, read three times over the course of our hike/paddle.  Each reading includes a question followed by an extended time of hiking or paddling in silence.

Sources of Wisdom, may include: Poets, indigenous elders, mystics (Christian, Jewish, Sufi), Celtic, environmental prophets.

Option 2: Being in the Moment.  Listening, noticing, responding are the essentials of the spiritual life. We may be accompanied by a meditation mantra or Centering Prayer a simple yet profound way to live in the now.  

Each hike/snowshoe or paddle event concludes with a simple ritual of honoring our time together. 

North Shore SING:  Our Home Land and Waters

The North Shore includes the Ipswich River Watershed, a 35 mile river with headwaters in Burlington, flowing to the ocean in Essex.  The watershed drains155 square miles encompassing 23 communities offering beautiful hiking trails and varied waters to paddle.  North Shore follows the Atlantic coastline north of Boston to the New Hampshire border.

Our Guide

 Kent Harrop is an avid hiker and kayaker. Year round he hikes trails of the North Shore or paddles along the Ipswich River, local lakes and coastline. Kent is a recently retired pastor in the Christian tradition with a longstanding commitment to interfaith colaboration and environmental advocacy. He is the volunteer founder of North Shore SING and looks forward to forming a leadership team as the group launches the winter of 2025.   A favorite verse 'Listen and your soul will live.' - Isaiah 55:3

Kent can be reached at kentdharrop@gmail.com