News-Record.com

Marjorie Donnelly has a ministry in Greensboro called InnerWalk.

One way to describe InnerWalk is an inward, quiet journey one takes to find God's leading and purpose for life. This inward journey can help lead a person on an outward journey of discovery and perhaps service to God and mankind.

Donnelly has had a lifetime of preparation for her current spiritual walk and her work with others, including advanced training in retreat facilitation, small group leadership and as a spiritual director.

Additionally, she has 26 years of teaching and counseling experience in public education, community and church settings, and in Greensboro's Servant Leadership School at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where she is a member.

In 1998, Donnelly was a stay-at-home mom, looking after the needs of her husband and six children.

She realized her children were growing up, and she wanted to expand her focus beyond her home, church and community volunteer work. With God's leading, she wanted to be directed to a new ministry. She had no idea what her new ministry would look like.

By the spring of 2000, she attended a retreat led by Anne Bosch in Winston-Salem entitled "Be Still and Know That I Am God."

It changed her life, as she discovered the importance of walking and - most importantly - listening.

At the retreat she was taught to walk mindfully, slowly concentrating her full attention on simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Then she sat under the shade of a tree and began writing in her journal. The name InnerWalk came to her, and she felt it was inspired by God. It conveyed both the inner and the active nature of one's spiritual journey.

"Like the name InnerWalk," Donnelly said, "I intuitively knew the labyrinth was the right symbol for my new ministry. Little did I imagine on that day in 2000 how the labyrinth itself would become such a central part of my ministry, but I am confident that God knew and was smiling.

"My experience has been that all things do eventually work together toward good for those who love God and are called according to God's purposes," she added. "Not that every life event is considered good at the time it happens, but that all of life's ups and downs are working toward good."

Donnelly believes everyone has had the experience of looking back on life's disappointments or seeming disasters and later realizing they were the tipping points that led to many positive changes.

Donnelly describes herself as a lifelong student of spirituality, psychology and creativity whose faith is grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition and contemplative awareness and practice.

In 2000, Donnelly was certified as an enneagram teacher, and in 2007 she completed advanced enneagram training specifically for spiritual directors.

The enneagram is a system of nine personality types that combines modern psychology with traditional spiritual wisdom, which helps people create powerful and lasting change in their lives by overcoming inner barriers, realizing their unique gifts and strengths, and discovering their deepest direction in life, according to Donnelly.

In 2002 Donnelly received training with Christina Baldwin and Ann Linea in small group leadership using the circle format.

Now she facilitates two spiritual growth groups per year, with a maximum of 12 participants each, at the InnerWalk office. The next group, entitled "The Cup of Our Life" and based on the book by Joyce Rupp, will begin Sept. 18 and meet for seven consecutive weeks.

In 2006 Donnelly went to Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to attend labyrinth facilitator training. She was certified in 2007.

She returned from the training with a burning desire to transform Holy Trinity's seldom-used labyrinth into an energized and vibrant one.

"The labyrinth is an ancient tool for walking meditation and a way to put feet on your prayers," Donnelly said.

The labyrinth at Greensboro's Holy Trinity Church is a replica of the one found at Chartres Cathedral in France.

Donnelly said her involvement with the labyrinth has grown by leaps and bounds. With the approval of her rector, Tim Patterson of Holy Trinity, and that of Ruth Anderson, director of the Servant Leadership School, she is now the coordinator of Holy Trinity's permanent outdoor labyrinth, which is near the center of downtown Greensboro and open to the public. Some people believe this beautiful labyrinth is the best-kept secret in Greensboro.

If community or church groups want to learn more about walking meditation using the labyrinth, Donnelly said she will bring InnerWalk's portable canvas labyrinth to their indoor location and facilitate labyrinth workshops customized to the group's specific needs and desires.

InnerWalk offers two yearly weekend "Circle of Quiet" retreats at Saint Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville. The next retreat is for Dec. 5-7.

Donnelly is also available to customize and facilitate a retreat for churches or community groups.

She works with each individual group to create a retreat experience tailored to a group's unique needs.

"Hospitality for the Soul" is Donnelly's most recent motto for her InnerWalk ministry.

She is married to Gerald Donnelly, an ordained minister.

To contact Peggy Longmire, call 288-9040 or e-mail her at rlongmire@triad.rr.com