For this pilgrimage, we have chosen to follow the story of
creation as we journey through the historic sites of the United Kingdom. Celtic Spirituality is a very large part of
the culture in Scotland and that has played a very large role in the creation
of our spiritual itinerary. Finding and
encountering God in new and wonderful ways is central to Celtic Christianity;
finding the goodness in all of God’s creations.
As we journey through the United Kingdom, our eyes will truly be opened
to the goodness of God’s creation.
Below is an overview of each day along with the chosen
scripture for that day. Please keep us
in your prayers as we travel and experience God in a whole new way.
Day 0: In the Airport…..
John 1:1-5
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As we begin our journey, we
will gather to read scripture for the first time in Newark during our
layover. During our time in Scotland we
will be following the stories of creation.
Tomorrow, God will begin his work creating the world around us but also
within us. Tomorrow marks the beginning
of creation, but in the beginning, the Word was already there.
Day 1 - Tuesday, May 31 – Genesis 1:1-5
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As we get our first glimpse
of Scotland, we will reflect on the first day of creation. We now can finally see the beautiful
landscapes of Scotland and see and celebrate the wonders of God’s
creation. But it also says that God
created the heavens, or anything that is beyond earth. The more we travel, the more we will realize
that we are in a “thin place”, something beyond earth. Where do we see God’s light shining through
in this “thin place?”
Day 2 – Wednesday, June 1 – Genesis 1:6-8
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Night and Day – In life,
there are guaranteed times that we will experience both night and day. We will have our ups and downs. Some of you may be in the middle of the
darkest night and some of you may be enjoying the most glorious day, and that
is ok for everyone. Wherever you are, in
whatever place, remember the concluding line from the airport…. The darkness
did not overcome it. There will be
darkness, but it will not overcome God.
(We will be visiting Durham/Norman Castle, which is the only castle
which NEVER suffered a breach by Scottish invading England. This also served as the Bishops seat. The castle itself has experienced darkness,
but it was never overtaken.) When have you experienced God in time of night and
when have you experienced God in a time of day?
Day 3 – Thursday, June 2 – Genesis 1:9-13
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God creates seas and dry
lands and islands….as we travel by boat to visit the Farne Islands. I mean, pretty perfect. We will see the goodness of God’s creation as
we explore both land and sea. Where did you see signs of God bearing fruit
through Farne Islands?
Day 4 – Friday, June 3 – Genesis 14-19 (planned spontaneous
Eucharist day- ask a chaperone to preach?)
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God creates night and day
and puts a dome in the sky to give “light to the world”. Lindisfarne was the center of Christian
missions in northern England and had a significant impact on the life of
Britain. How can we be the “light of the
world” when we return home?
Day 5 – Saturday, June 4 - Genesis 1:20-31
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God creates the animals,
birds, and sea creatures. Perfect for a
coastal hike to witness and enjoy all of these creations. Once we return home, how can we remember to
stop and enjoy the goodness of God’s gift of creation?
Day 6 – Sunday, June 5 – Genesis 2:1-3
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Sabbath. God rests.
We go to church! Why do we go to
church on the Sabbath? What do we do to
“rest” from the daily grind? Why is
Sabbath important? When we stop to rest,
our hearts become truly open. We realize
that even during the darkest days, we are never in this alone. Here, we have our fellow pilgrims, at home we have
our parents, we have our church, and when we say church, it is larger than just
CHC or the Diocese of West Tennessee, or even the United States. This morning we will worship the EXACT same
way, saying the same words and prayers as we do at home, even though we are
thousands of miles away. It shows the
great Anglican community that we are a part of and that we are never alone.
Day 7 – Monday, June 6 – Genesis 2: 4b -9
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God nurtures and waters the
earth so that it may grow. Then God
forms man of the earth. Do we allow
ourselves to remain connected to the earth that brings us life and nourishes
us? How can we find ways to connect with
the land from which we were created by God?
Day 8 – Tuesday, June 7 – Matthew 17:1-8
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Just as Jesus and the
disciples experienced a very thin place at the top of a mountain, today we will
ascend Arthur’s seat. From here we will
be very close to God as we look out over the entire horizon of Scotland. Have you ever had a “mountain top”
moment? Did things look different as you
returned to the ground?
Day 9 – Wednesday, June 8 – Matthew 17:9-13
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When coming down, Jesus
remarks that they should not share what they had seen until after the Son of
Man has been raised from the dead. After
having their faith reaffirmed in the transfiguration, now Jesus is saying he
will die. This baffles the
disciples. As we prepare to leave, we
may be near the end of our journey here, but just as Jesus is always with the
disciples, so will this trip be with us.
How will this pilgrimage form your journey forward?
Day 10 – Thursday, June 9 – Matthew 28:16-20
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Before returning to our
families, we will charge them to take what they have learned and keep it with
them, but also share it what they have learned with others. Before returning to our families and friends,
we are commissioned to go forth and spread the Good News we have encountered
with others. Be patient and kind with
those who have not been on this journey with you, and allow God’s light to
shines through your continued pilgrimage of faith.
Yours in Faith,
Matthew
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