Walk with Me

An invitation to Pilgrimage

Why Pilgrimage?

A pilgrimage is a sacred journey undertaken for a spiritual purpose.  Those purposes might include a desire for:

·       A closer relationship with God

·       Guidance or peace in a difficult situation or transition

·       Vision for the future

·       Discernment around holy discontent in the present

While historically pilgrimage routes generally cover long distances ending at a holy sight, a pilgrimage can be any sacred journey that moves a person from one place to another, physically and spiritually.  Unlike leisurely walking, pilgrimages ask something of us.  They take us out of our usual routine and require some sacrifice of time and energy.  They often stretch our limits of what we think is possible, both in the walking, and in what God shows us along the way of who he is and who he wants us to be.

My Sabbatical

This spring, I will be taking a sabbatical leave.  The goals for my sabbatical are:

·       Personal renewal through walking, prayer and writing;

·       Discernment of the next chapter of spiritual formation ministry at FBC

As a part of my sabbatical, I will be making a pilgrimage on the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury, England to Rome.  For centuries, pilgrims have sought God’s guidance and direction, for themselves and for the Church.  I am excited to walk in that long and holy tradition as I, too, seek discernment and renewal.

I will be walking the Last Stage of the Via Francigena from Viterbo, which is north of Rome, to St. Peter’s Square.  It is a journey of approximately 100 km that Wes and I will make over 5 days, April 24-28.

 

Pray with Me

Each day along the pilgrimage I will stop to pray at 12:20pm local time; that is 6:20am ET.  I invite you to pray with me each day, April 24-28, at 6:20am.  I will stop to pray with you each day 12:20pm local time.

·       Pray for me as I walk.  Pray for:

o   An openness to God’s Spirit

o   Eyes to see all that is around me

o   No blisters!

o   Endurance and perseverance

o   Safety along the way – protection from injury, weather, etc.

o   Joy in the journey

·       Pray for FBC as we discern together the next chapter of spiritual formation ministry.

Walk with Me – An Invitation to Pilgrimage

Experience your own pilgrimage, your own sacred journey as you walk with God.  Assume the posture of a pilgrim – one who walks in obedience, open to what God will show you, longing to experience God’s presence in every step along the way.  It is a journey of discovery.

Jesus said, “Come and see.”

“The road emerged only as I walked on it.” – Jurgen Moltmann

 

Walk with me each day – literally.  Commit to a walking practice.

·       62 minutes a day,

·       6.2 miles for the week,

.       1 mile a day for 62 days

.       62 miles in as many days as it takes to complete

·       Whatever distance that you can commit to daily.

·       Can’t physically Walk with Me?  Pray each day as you pilgrimage with me in spirit.

 

How to Pilgrimage:

·       Decide how will you journey?  Where/how will you walk/pray?

.       Register for the Walk with Me Experience

.        Log your daily mileage and track your progress virtually along the same route Jayne is traveling.  

.         Open your personal tracking map to see the same views and sites that Jayne will be seeing

.        Actual pilgrims on the Via Francigena collect stamps on their pilgrim’s passports.  Collect virtual stamps along the way as you 

·       As you walk/pray, consider the following reflection questions: