Touched by the Spirit
A Journey of Calling, Creativity, and Connection: A Tactile Meditation on the Stations of the Cross
When a person feels a deep and undeniable call to serve God, it can lead to life-altering decisions. For some, this leads to paths of ordination, teaching, or missionary work. But what happens when unforeseen challenges, such as health struggles, prevent someone from following that path? This is the question Kendra Lacy faced when her health began to deteriorate, making it impossible to attend seminary. Heartbroken, she was wondering what to do next. With a deep calling to serve and help others experience God's presence, she searched for a new way to live out her calling.
Rather than feeling defeated, she found hope and purpose through creativity. A graduate of Miami University in Ohio with a B.A. in Creative Writing and Literature, she actively sought ways to fulfill her passion. Writing became a means of expressing her personal spiritual journey, and to date, she has published over 55+ books that focus on themes of hope, nature, prayer, photography and meditation.
However, it wasn’t until an unexpected idea arose that she found a new way of expressing her spiritual creativity. One day, while browsing through home decor, she noticed plaques and wooden decorations that encouraged a tactile engagement. This simple observation sparked a vision: what if there could be a creation that invited a deeper, interactive engagement with Christ’s story?
Thus, the concept for the tactile Stations of the Cross was born.
A Tactile Experience: The Art of Touching the Divine
When most people think of art and spirituality, their minds often go to paintings, sculptures, or stained-glass windows—pieces that are admired from a distance. But what if there was an opportunity to create something that invites interaction, something that calls individuals to engage physically with it, helping them experience God’s presence in a new and profound way?
“I wanted to create stations that you could interact with, that you didn't have to be afraid of touching.”
Through simple wooden objects: plain spherical balls representing Jesus, pastel painted stacking stones to represent the women, and hand crosses to symbolize the ongoing burden of Jesus’ journey, each piece—whether a simple sphere or a stone—carried layers of meaning, inviting people to touch and reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice.
For Kendra, one of the most abstract and powerful stations in this tactile meditation was Station Six: Veronica’s Veil.
“It’s a thin place where she's able to see his true divinity through her simple act of compassion.”
Touching the veil makes the presence of Christ feel more tangible, almost like breaking through a veil into the very heart of the sacred story.
Creating a New Way to Experience Holy Week
Holy Week is a time for deep reflection and spiritual growth. Kendra shared her love for the rituals and prayers used in the Episcopal Church and feels they provide a sense of consistency and peace. However, for some, these familiar practices can lose their impact over time. She hopes that the installation of all 14 Stations of the Cross will offer something to encourage a deeper, more visceral connection to Christ’s journey.
”What I love about the Episcopal church is that people are so open to new experiences. They jump right in and say, "show me, I want to learn, I want to experience.” She believes when people touch something, when they physically engage, it forces them to slow down and reflect more deeply.”
Tactile spirituality, therefore, can be a powerful tool. It’s not just about creating something "cool" or "different." It’s about allowing individuals to have a more embodied experience of God’s love and sacrifice. It’s about offering new ways of experiencing familiar stories and prayers, and ultimately, giving people space to have their own unique encounters with the divine.
An Invitation for Others
Reflecting on this journey, Kendra is filled with gratitude for those who supported her along the way. Especially the Monday Morning Prayer Group and the ever joyful encourager - Ceilia Mathew.
Spiritual journeys are not meant to be taken alone. God calls individuals to serve, to love, and to create spaces where others can experience His presence. We will be installing all 14 stations so that our church family can explore these tactile Stations of the Cross. Kendra encourages you to touch, feel, and engage with the story of Christ’s final journey. Whether coming from a place of faith, curiosity, or longing for something deeper, she hopes this experience brings individuals closer to God in a way that is profound and meaningful.
We are so grateful to Kendra for sharing her gifts with us and hope that you will find a new way to walk with God this Lenten season.
“When you give your life to serving God, you have to leave your ego at the door. It cannot be about you. We are wired to be egocentric in what we do. And when it comes to serving God, it can't be about you, it has to be about how God is using you to help other people. If only one person is touched by this experience, it will have been enough.” ~ Kendra Lacy
Meet the Artist during Holy Week as she guides us through this Lenten tradition in a brand new way.
Monday, April 14 @ 11:00 am
Wednesday, April 16 @ 8:00am & 7:00pm