What does it mean to walk with the Spirit? This month’s Garden Gathering, Walking the Way of Salt and Fire, invites you to explore the sacred path of purification and presence. Together, we’ll reflect on how each step we take is both preserved by salt and refined by fire — symbols of God’s covenant to be our guide. Through sowing seeds on the theme of Spirit Steps, contemplative journaling, mindful walking, and a shared fireside feast, we’ll learn to walk with the Spirit in patience, purpose, and power. This isn’t about rushing forward but about walking with God — step by step, with every step counting toward something greater.
About:
Location: Christian Michelsens gate 47, 0568 OSLO, apartment H0301
Date: Wednesday, 18th of December 2024
Time: 18:00-22:00
Winter Theme: Spirit Steps
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
December Topic: Walking the Way of Salt and Fire
Exploring the walk of purification (salt) and presence (fire), being led by the Spirit.
The Garden Gatherings are part of The Garden membership that gives access to gatherings, guides, community, coaching, and chat. We have new themes every quarterly season. You are invited to bloom beyond yourself into a personal and collective communion with the sacred (God) through contemplation, connection, and contribution. Together, we turn our stories from graves into gardens.
Read all about The Garden: bloombeyond.com/garden
Contributors:
Martine Sorthe (27) is the founder of Bloom Beyond (bloombeyond.com) and facilitates The Garden Gatherings. She is a creator by heart — a NOW BLOOM certified Christian Life Coach and a Clinical Psychology Student at the University of Oslo with interest in the overlap between psychology, theology, and art.
Natalia Sagmo Sivertsen.
Emilie Næss Karlsen.
Join:
Join The Garden for monthly membership: bloombeyond.com/garden
Max 12 spots for this gathering. (8/12 reserved).
Raja
Henrik
Jacek
Natalia
Archie
Aleksandra
Rafa
Chelsea
RSVP your spot in The Garden Chat (join The Garden to get access).
Overview:
18:00-18:30 — Greeting and Intro
Focus: Heartfelt Hugs, Connection
Activities: We will begin with a warm welcome, offering heartfelt hugs and introductions to create an atmosphere of openness and community. Each participant will share their name and one word or short sentence that reflects what thoughts come to mind about salt and fire. Martine will introduce the theme Spirit Steps and the evening’s topic, Walking the Way of Salt and Fire, framing how the themes of trust, refinement, and divine guidance will weave through the gathering.
Purpose: This time is designed to foster connection and establish a sacred space for reflection and growth. By sharing personal insights and grounding the evening in the significance of salt and fire in Scripture, we set the stage for a journey of trust and transformation led by the Spirit.
Contributor: Martine Sorthe
18:30-19:00 — Footprints of Faith
Focus: Sowing Scripture, Contemplation
Activities: Martine will guide The Gardeners in exploring Scripture passages centered on Spirit Steps, reflecting on how our lives can be walked with the essence of salt and refined by fire. This time will include reading and sharing Bible verses related to the topic of Spirit, Steps, Salt, and Fire. Participants will consider what it means to walk in step with the Spirit and how salt and fire symbolize divine guidance, led by purification (salt) and presence (fire) in their own journeys.
Purpose: To establish a sacred, calming atmosphere that invites The Gardeners to slow down and center themselves in God’s presence, opening the evening with a heart of stillness and contemplation.
Contributor: Martine Sorthe
19:00-19:30 — Stepping Stones in the Spirit
Focus: Journey Journaling, Contemplation
Activities: Natalia will guide The Gardeners through a reflective journaling practice that builds upon the themes explored in Footprints of Faith. Participants will be prompted to explore their personal journeys with Spirit Steps, reflecting on how the principles of salt and fire manifest in their lives. Questions and prompts will help them uncover areas where they feel called to deeper trust, refinement, or preservation in their walk with God.
Purpose: To encourage introspection and provide a tangible practice for processing the spiritual insights gained during the gathering. This session aims to deepen personal understanding of Spirit Steps while fostering a sense of intentional growth.
Contributor: Natalia Sagmo Sivertsen
19:30-20:00 — Steps in Sync
Focus: Wonder Walk, Contemplation
Activities: Emilie and Martine will lead The Gardeners on a mindful walk to Salt Restaurant — walking and taking the public transport — encouraging them to tune into the presence of the Holy Spirit with each step they take and with wherever their feet abide. As they move together in silence, participants will be invited to reflect on the rhythms of their journey, noticing how their surroundings—the sounds, sights, and sensations—speak to the themes of salt and fire. Periodic pauses will provide moments for guided reflection and shared insights.
Purpose: To embody the practice of Spirit Steps by aligning physical movement in any space with spiritual mindfulness. This session aims to cultivate a deeper connection to the Spirit’s guidance, fostering a sense of unity with creation and with one another.
Contributor: Emilie Næss Karlsen & Martine Sorthe
20:00-20:30 — Fireside Salt
Focus: Family Feasts, Contribution
Activities: Gather around a warm, crackling fire at SALT restaurant, for a shared meal, where participants will grill their food and enjoy the communal atmosphere. As everyone eats together, the focus will be on savoring the moment, sharing stories, and reflecting on the evening’s journey. This unhurried time will encourage open-hearted conversations and a sense of belonging, with the fire symbolizing the refining and unifying power of the Spirit.
Purpose: To conclude the gathering with a tangible expression of fellowship, warmth, and nourishment. This shared experience fosters deeper connections among participants, reinforcing the evening’s themes of walking together in step with the Spirit and embracing the refining presence of salt and fire.
Contributor: Martine Sorthe
20:30-22:00 — Outro and Farewell
Focus: Heartful Hugs, Connection
Activities: Concluding the gathering with a moment of gratitude and reflection. Participants will share one key takeaway or insight from the evening, creating a final opportunity for connection and encouragement. As the gathering comes to a close, heartfelt hugs will be exchanged, reinforcing the bonds formed throughout the evening. Martine will offer a closing blessing, sending everyone off with a sense of purpose and unity, encouraged to carry the themes of Spirit Steps and the refining presence of salt and fire into their daily lives.
Purpose: To provide a meaningful and loving closure to the evening, allowing participants to leave feeling seen, supported, and spiritually enriched. This final moment emphasizes the community’s commitment to walking together in step with the Spirit, even beyond the gathering.
Contributor: Martine Sorthe