Spokane Standard

Whitworth introduced a new study-away program this Jan Term, Backpacking with the Saints!

Assistant Professor of Theology Samantha Miller and eight students traveled to Arizona to study at the Holy Trinity Monastery Center near Tucson and backpack in the Paria Canyon in northeast Arizona.

“This course is about Christian wilderness spirituality: We looked at why Christians have gone to the wilderness to meet God and how wilderness as a spiritual practice draws people closer to God,” Miller says. “Students lived simply and in community, imitating some of the practices of ancient Christians who lived in these ways as we studied them. In backpacking we especially learn things like dependence, playfulness, community, simplicity and quietness. Students came back not only with laughter, new friendships and great stories but with more grounding for their own faith and practices and a deeper sense of God’s love for them.”

Participant Elissa Gruszynski ’23 says, “I really enjoy backpacking and spending time in the wilderness with God, and to get credit doing both of those things sounded like the best opportunity! A highlight was the unique locations where we were able to have class. Having the opportunity to learn the history of desert fathers while both at a monastery and in the Paria Canyon was amazing!"

Original source can be found here.