Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Journey of Faith Labyrinth by Luminaria

Amid the noise and rush of holiday preparation, this is a unique opportunity to celebrate the journey through darkness towards the light of the mystery of Christmas. At 7 p.m., on December 4, take time for a calm breath in the crisp winter air and a short walk to contemplate the blessings and opportunities of the Christmas season. 

As the winter solstice approaches, this free and family-friendly event is a reminder that darkness is overcome by light. The Creator’s gift of light shining in the darkness is a guide on the journey towards a new birth of hope, peace and love. Attendees are asked to dress warmly for the outdoor labyrinth walk and are invited to enjoy warm refreshments inside afterwards.  

This moving service of worship demonstrates how the light of hope guides one’s journey even when the path is not obvious. Participants will leave the candle-lit labyrinth walk with divine promises ringing in their ears, a simple, encouraging song on their lips and comfort in their hearts.

The Journey of Faith Labyrinth is open daily dawn to dusk. Information about labyrinth walking is available on the church’s website.

Location: Christ Church, 1600 Washington Valley Rd., at Crim Road, Martinsville. Participants may park in the lot off of Crim Road and meet inside the church doors. For more information, call Reverend Susan Joseph Rack at 908-722-2080, email [email protected] or visit ChristChurchEmerging.org. 


In-Print, Community News Briefs
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook