ECO Wellness- Next Event, Saturday, September 20th
ECO Wellness Ministry helps to connect us with God in the most basic of ways…through outdoor physical activity, exploring the outdoors in fellowship with friends and family, and becoming good stewards of God’s gift of nature.
Our next event will be a morning airboat ride on the St. Johns River. Be prepared to see alligators, birds, and riverine wildlife with a guided tour. At the end of the tour, there are baby alligators and wildlife to see up close. Come and Embrace Christ Outdoors(ECO-Wellness) by experiencing the beauty of nature and the thrill of an airboat adventure. Please send an email to ecowellnessmpb@gmail.com to let me know if you plan on coming, so we will have a headcount.
Date: Saturday, September 20th
Time: 9:00 am
Location: 28501 East Colonial Dr., Christmas, Florida 32709
What to Wear/Bring: Water, sun protection, binoculars
Cost: $53 per person, which can be paid the morning of the event. (Be sure to say you are with MPB ECO Wellness Group)
The link below provides the details about the midway airboat rides. https://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/
If you have any questions, please email ecowellnessmpb@gmail.com.
We hope everyone enjoyed the hike this past Saturday morning, April 26th, along the Florida National Scenic Trail. Many thanks to Tim and Siobhan O’Malley for guiding us through the beautiful forest and the presentation on controlled burns.






We would like to give a big THANKS to Tim and Siobhan O’Malley for Embracing Christ Outdoors with us these past few years. You have beautifully expanded the vision our founding Pastor, Bishop Stephen Parkes, had for this amazing ministry twenty years ago, and we hope to continue that legacy with our new facilitators. Beginning in February, your new ECO Wellness Ministry leaders will be:
Kelli Thomazin- Health/Wellness & Excursions
Bo Abney – Hiking
Dianne Rosensweig – Excursions
First Hike of 2025
The cold and rainy start of the day did not deter our 33 hikers and 3 dogs that joined our first ECO Wellness hike of the year this past Saturday. We took to the Seminole Ranch on the Florida National Scenic Trail once the rain stopped and kept warm by walking. The terrain was flat but had lots of roots, so everyone had to watch their step. The canopy was a beautiful wetland forested hammock. Thank you, Theresa, for kindly leading us in prayer and providing the hikers with handmade rosaries.
Nature is filled with love…
These words are the beginning of a reflection by Pope Francis on how our busy lifestyle can create an imbalance in life. Being in nature and caring for our environment is one way to recover this serene harmony with creation.
Forty ECO Wellness parishioners did just that on Saturday, October 19th on the Indian River Lagoon as a Certified Naturalist educated us on the many species and habitats that call the intercoastal waterway home.
Our next event is a hike on Saturday, November 16th. The location will be posted closer to the hike. We hope you can join us!
Contact us at ecowellnessmpb@gmail.com if you have questions, or to sign up for email reminders.










Always bring water, and wear closed-toed shoes. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ecowellnessMPB@gmail.com
Walk with a DOC – Healthy Living Series – Laughter. Click here to learn more.
A recap of last month’s walk:
Mindfulness is being aware in the moment: One highlight from last month was the 4,7,8 breathing techniques and the importance of tapping into our relaxation response when needed. Here is a link to an instructional breathing option: https://youtu.be/p8fjYPC-k2k. If any questions, please call Kelli at 402-276-2886 or email at kkthomazin@outlook.com.
What is Walk With A Doc? An opportunity to focus on health and wellness. Meet for a 5-7 minute discussion on healthy lifestyles, then we will walk for 10-60 minutes. This is not a race, we are simply enjoying walking outside for our health
Click HERE to learn more about this wonderful program.
Questions: Please call Kelli at 402-276-2886 or email us at ECOWELLNESSMPB@GMAIL.COM.
We always have a great time at our ECO Wellness Events!










Here are some photos from our amazing kayaking excursion in August!




May 7, 2022 Hike – Florida National Scenic Trail



