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Unity
Trail Gazebo and Pond
Our Church, Unity of Roanoke Valley has 26 acres, 19 of
which are wooded. We are in the process of building a system of trails to help
us access and use this wonderful part of our property in our spiritual quest to
connect with God and nature. Our trail is not only for spiritual use but also
is a joyful place to learn about, observe and interact with nature. And for
those who walk it regularly, it becomes a source of physical health as well as
for exercising our legs and hearts. The main trail behind the church buildings
is 900 feet long and the five meditation and prayer trails branching off from
the main trail and leading to benches where we may quietly hold up our spiritual
connection with God in the midst of natural surroundings add another 600 feet
giving us 1500 feet of trails to explore our wonderful woods.
We began with the surveying of a main trail to connect with the fire
pit and the barbeque pit in December 2003. Our board of directors approved the
idea in January 2004. March 27, 2004 was our first official workday when we
began to line the newly cut trail with logs. Herb Detweiler designed our
35-foot "Walking with Spirit" Bridge, which we completed in July. The bridge
represents the many crossing over experiences in our lives from one level to
another, as we slowly ascend towards a higher spiritual connection with God in
our lives.
In 2005, we began a 12-foot wide gazebo over looking yet set back from
our church pond. To be completed by April of 2007, it is a wonderful addition
designed and built by Christopher Page and our first covered structure on the
trail. A sanctuary from rain on inclement days, and one of our meditation spots
to sit and enjoy nature, pray and meditate with God. This year, 2007, we will be
working to improve and support nature on our pond. We will be adding more plants
such as flowering water lilies, perennial bog plants, and marginal plants to
enhance our pond. Each day brings us a new challenge and a new way to interact
with God's creations.
Each day brings us a sense of amazement and awe. We are filled with
God's blessings as our trail takes shape through the all-volunteer hands from
our church. We give thanks to God for what he has given us for our use. Thank
you wonder filled and joyous God, we look forwards to what you bring us around
the corner for our many blessings in our lives.
I invite you to come walk our trail; come commune with God each in your
own way.
Namaste, ("The Christ in me sees and honors the Christ in you")
Keith
Edmondson
Unity Trail Coordinator .
Gazebo
- Photo by Keith Edmondson
Bill Sapp improving Gazebo trail
-Ph oto
by Keith Edmondson
Unity Trail descending down a switchback
Bill Sapp and Rose Wyatt using grape hoes
towards the now completed bridge to cut and
level a path"
- Photo by Wayne Scank
-Photo by Keith Edmondson
The Building of "Walking with Spirit" Bridge
Paul Brooks and Keith Edmondson use a lug hook Eric Sapp and Clarence Lunford
preparing a shim
to maneuver the first telephone pole in place,
for use on the bridge structure
which supports the bridge from underneath. Rose Wyatt and Herb Detweiler look on.
– Photo by Danny Myers
– Photo by Wayne Scank
The final 35’ bridge, "Walking with Spirit" Bridge has been
dedicated to
the memory of Rev. Diane Clevenger’s mother, Hope Price.
-Photo by Keith Edmondson
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