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‘Creative Sunday’ – The Pilgrims Walk
30th May 2021
Creative Sunday 30th April
Close your eyes and follow your breath to the still place that leads to the invisible path that leads you home – St Teresa of Avila
This Sunday we will be continuing the Cuckmere Pilgrim Path – started last month (near Alfriston approx. 40 min drive) which is a circular route stopping off at 7 small churches! The whole route is 11 miles and is a fair commitment. However, you can choose to do part of the route and plan your pilgrimage accordingly. There are short, medium or long walks to suit all. There are several places to stop and rest and even the odd pub or two!
Here’s a video from Johnie & Andy, talking about a Pilgrims walk!
Take a bit of time to look at the route, plan your journey, your companions and also plan your pilgrim reflections. http://cuckmerepilgrimpath.org.uk/
The current government guidelines mean that we can now walk in larger groups (up to 30 people). Family group leaders will be able to liaise with people to make sure those who want to walk with others can do so.
The train from Brighton goes to Berwick so that would be a great place to start for those who do not have access to cars.
A pilgrimage is simply a journey that has religious or spiritual significance, usually to a significant place.
Whether you are driving to Berwick Church to sit in the quiet or taking a longer walk, make this an opportunity to intentionally spend time with God.
It will be tempting to use the time to catch up and chat, there is so much going on for many of us! Try to start the pilgrimage with your chosen reflection and take some silent time to be aware of yourself, God and creation around you. You can use the end of your time to eat/catch up and share your experience of the walk.
For those unable or who prefer not to walk, why not visit Berwick Church (St Michael and all the Angels). https://www.berwickchurch.org.uk/ You can drive and park at the church which is open and beautiful. The surroundings abound in wonder! The Cricket’s Arms is nearby but will need to be booked for lunch. https://www.cricketersberwick.co.uk/
You can see the full route and the range places of interest here:
http://cuckmerepilgrimpath.org.uk/
Here are some suggested activities which you can pick and choose from. Feel free to adapt, add to or amend:
- Pause, ponder and pray. Be intentional about finding places to pause. Look around and stop when your interest is arrested. Be on the lookout for a splash of awe and wonder! See Christ in all and everywhere. Listen out for others praising and singing God’s praise! The birds are a blaze! When you hear one, listen, marvel and celebrate.
- Take a passage to walk and recite. Maybe it’s a poem, maybe it’s a psalm, maybe a story or parable. Find it, take it, walk it through… see where it leads you. See below for inspiration.
- Journey for part of the walk in silence.
- Journey for part of the walk carrying someone in prayer. You might find it helpful to carry an object or pick up a stone that represents a person or a prayer.
Hope you enjoy the day and find a way to celebrate Christ coming again and again into our hearts, lives and communities.
Afterwards, let’s share pictures/ reflections on the members Facebook page/ send them to the office (office@nullcitygatechurch.org.uk)
Suggested passages for reflection:
Here are some reflections that might help on your pilgrimage. You can carry them for yourself or for the person you hold in mind as you walk.
You may want to take one from the list and read out to your group at the end. You can share anything that you noticed or that spoke to you on the walk. Let’s make the most of the time and use it intentionally to journey with Christ and each other.
(take a line or two from this to walk with and mull over)
Lamentations 20-25
My soul still remembers and sinks within me
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him”
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
Psalm 132:2
Surely, I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 142
A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
1 I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.
3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
people have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
5 I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
Psalm 23: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
2 Corinthians 12.9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Transformation
I haven’t written a single poem
in months.
I’ve lived humbly, reading the paper,
pondering the riddle of power
and the reasons for obedience.
I’ve watched sunsets
(crimson, anxious),
I’ve heard the birds grow quiet
and night’s muteness.
I’ve seen sunflowers dangling
their heads at dusk, as if a careless hangman
had gone strolling through the gardens.
September’s sweet dust gathered
on the windowsill and lizards
hid in the bends of walls.
I’ve taken long walks,
craving one thing only:
lightning,
transformation,
you.
Adam Zagajewski
As Kingfishers Catch Fire
