Hi I’m Kent Harrop a resident of Beverly, member of IRWA and founder of a new program called North Shore SING (Spirituality in Nature Group), in partnership with IRWA. Since boyhood growing up along the Blackstone River in Rhode Island, the natural world has been a place of wonder and inspiration. I became a member of IRWA soon after moving to the North Shore in 2014. I am inspired by the holistic way in which IRWA advocates for the health and sustainability of the Ipswich River. My goal is to kayak the river year round, short of being iced out. The river always inspires and renews me!
As an adult I’ve immersed myself in nature, finding renewal in my garden and the places I backpack, kayak, snowshoe. For me nature is a sacred place, a place of meeting with the Creator. I recently retired as a pastor in the Christian tradition with a longstanding commitment to interfaith collaboration and environmental advocacy.
North Shore SING provides monthly outdoor events via hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking/canoeing. Based on the North Shore of Massachusetts and the Ipswich River Watershed, we explore the regions trails, rivers, lakes, shoreline. We offer a contemplative experience for deepening spiritually in the midst of nature. North Shore SING is partnering with IRWA, believing that our focus is complementary.
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.
The premise of NS SING, is that as our connection to the earth deepens so too does our commitment to the sustainability of our ecosystem. This good work becomes a sacred trust. John Muir, environmental prophet and mystic put it this way: ‘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.”
If you’d like to learn more check out our website: NS SING Or, check out the Events tab on the IRWA website to reserve your spot for our next monthly event. Hope to see you on the trail or on the water!