LETTER FROM KATIE • June 10, 2026

Justin Randolph Thompson and Bradly Dever Treadaway, Baby Needs New Shoes, 2021. Photographic transfer on wood with antenna and rag, 20 × 13 × 2 in. Via Art & Theology Blog

Dear Holy Comforter,

From our gospel reading for this upcoming Sunday:

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. - Matthew 10:5

A number of you have asked, with curiosity but sometimes concern, what our summer prayer walks will look like.

For some, the idea of a prayer walk may bring to mind experiences that felt uncomfortable or intimidating. If that's true for you, be assured that our focus is not on approaching strangers or putting anyone on the spot.

Our prayer walks will begin with noticing. We will walk slowly, observe carefully, and ask God to help us see our neighborhood through the eyes of Christ. In many ways, our prayer walks are an invitation for God to help us learn to love our neighbors. 

Look

As we walk, we’ll observe what languages, cultures, religions, generations, and communities are present in our neighborhood. 

If we walk past businesses, we’ll notice which ones appear to be thriving and which ones seem to be struggling or have closed. Where do we notice signs of economic strain? What might be contributing to this?

As we walk through residential areas, we’ll notice the homes, yards, green spaces, signs, and decorations and ask what they reveal about the life of the community.

And what boundaries and meeting places do we observe? What encounters happen here?

Bless

We’ll pray for God to bless the people, homes, businesses, institutions, open spaces, and situations we encounter. And we’ll have a set of collects for our common life to guide us here. 

Listen

We’ll allow moments of silence for God to speak and to appreciate the noises of our neighborhood.

Feel

We’ll let our emotions become a way of entering more deeply into the life of our  community.

We’ll lament places marked by fear, loneliness, injustice, or brokenness.

We’ll give thanks for signs of beauty, resilience, hospitality, and hope.

We’ll notice what stirs compassion, gratitude, concern, or joy within us.

Reflect

And then after the walk, we’ll take some time to pray and reflect. 

What did we learn about the neighborhood?

What surprised us?

What did we find engaging or challenging?

Where was God's presence especially apparent?

Did any words, images, memories, or passages of Scripture come to mind as we prayed for our neighbors?

On Sunday, we’ll have prayer walking guides available for you to take home and use with your household and we’ll have our first CHC prayer walk in Hyattsville on Sunday, June 28 from 8 to 9:30 am. 

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns about our prayer walks or anything else. I’m happy to meet with you to talk and pray.

With much love,

Katie