In July 2011, Rev. Scott McKirdy was appointed to the United Methodist Church in Spearfish, South Dakota. Pastor Scott and wife Colleen left the community of Dickinson, North Dakota, where they had served for 11 years. When Colleen moved to Spearfish, she never imagined that she would be leading a ministry for women in the community.

Colleen McKirdy leads yoga ministry in the Spearfish UMC sanctuary on a recent Friday morning. Photos by Doreen Gosmire.

One of the things that she had enjoyed in Dickinson was yoga classes. There were several classes in Spearfish, but none that fit into her schedule. Colleen felt called by God to use yoga as a tool for ministry and outreach.

“After taking yoga classes in Dickinson, I found I missed it when I moved to Spearfish. I realized if it was going to happen, I would need to lead the classes,” said McKirdy. Colleen made the leap and took formal training as a yoga instructor. Then at Spearfish UMC, she began leading a small group of women in devotions and yoga. The yoga experience grew into a community ministry.

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there are 20-25 women who pull out their yoga mats throughout the sanctuary and stretch their souls and bodies.“ We had to move from the nursery, our original location, to the sanctuary,” said McKirdy. “The sanctuary gives us more space and has a calming atmosphere.” Each session begins with a devotion, led by McKirdy. She chooses the devotions from various places to fit the needs of the participants. The sessions are enhanced by music.
 

Mats are distributed throughout the Spearfish UMC sanctuary as Colleen McKirdy leads the group in devotions and yoga.

“Some people just come and sit to listen, breathe, and connect,” said Colleen.

Participants expand their reach and souls by giving back to their community. Anyone coming to yoga can give a financial gift by dropping it in a box that is set out during the sessions.

“Participants donate whatever they can, then every few months we give the money to charities in the area,” said Colleen.  “Among them are the local domestic violence shelter, alcohol rehabilitation programs, food assistance, the local free clinic, free legal services for youth, and a homeless shelter.

Yoga began as a practice of Hinduism, but as a yoga purist would agree, in its purest form, yoga is simply a combination of breath work, meditation and physical movement. Yoga can be a way to invite believers and non-believers to grow in faith.

There are several members of the congregation that participate in the yoga ministry but about one-half of the participants are from the community. Most of those attending are women, but you will find Pastor Scott and granddaughter, Maren participating when they can. “It is for the community, and we have a wide group of participants. It is really fun to connect with each other this way,” said Colleen.

McKirdy has led yoga retreats at Storm Mountain. She sees yoga as a way to connect people to God and hopes to continue leading the ministry.