Blog (Latest News, Info and Updates)
On Holy Mountain
Tuesday 12th March 2019
Cate Macfarlane
Vast, immovable, haughty in her grandeur, the mountain drew us towards her. Soft and rough, grey and green, she revealed more of her great expanse as we climbed ever upwards. Reciting Brendan's Prayer, we remembered fellow pilgrims who had conquered different trails on the towering rock. Mount Brandon, on the south-west coast, in Dingle, Co. Kerry, is the second highest mountain in Ireland, 953 metres high. In June 2004 I travelled as group leader with fellow pilgrims from Pilgrim Adventure. The ruins of St Brendan's Oratory mark the summit of the mountain. The legend is that the navigator saint climbed the mountain with his seafaring monks to prepare them physically and spiritually for their journey to the promised land of…
Oh Small Cross
Saturday 9th March 2019
Ryan Smith
O Small Cross O small cross between land and sky Connecting earth and heaven, bye and bye. How you change the landscape, as you portray Christ's choice to the sons of men Everything for me or all for you, nothing more or less That is the choice you offer, O small cross of Lindisfarne Written along 'St Cuthbert's Way' (Image courtesy of www.lindisfarne.org.uk)
Latest News
Wednesday 6th March 2019
Dave Gleed
A few updates from the Journeying team: Day Walks The first walk of spring... Tintern and the Wye Valley, Saturday April 13th Holiday Programme news: We have a few places available on this year's programme: Exploring West Cornwall Rievaulx Abbey and the North York Moors We are also have an additional pilgrimage journey for the Way of St David, Pembrokeshire, Wales: Saturday 17th - Friday 23rd August: Way of St David
Night Prayer
Wednesday 6th March 2019
Cynthia Spey (with introduction by the editor)
1991 on the banks of Loch Sunart. The weather had been perfect with clear blue skies by day and wonderful sunsets by night. On one particular night, but I'll let Cynthia tell the story... "We stood in the customary circle on the shore, on the night of the full moon, reiterating our constant desire for a quiet night and a perfect end. A moon of huge and astonishing proportions suddenly appeared, filling the whole sky with its presence and painting a blinding path across the sunset-coloured loch from the mountains on the horizon to the waters gently lapping at our feet. It was an awesome sight and the total silence and stillness created a magical scene that was quite uncanny.…
Isle of Skye
Sunday 3rd March 2019
Paddy Allen
View from on top the Quiraing and a solitary thistle. Paddy lives in Scotland and has been leading holidays with Journeying since 2018. Both drawings were painted during our Isle of Skye holiday, 2018.
Lundy Island
Thursday 28th February 2019
Janet Wilkes
My first 'Journeying', 6 years ago, to Lundy Island, was memorable. Not just for the epic sea voyage getting there and the swathes of late bluebells and black rabbits but for a unique relief inside St Helen's, Lundy's Parish Church. Similar to other churches of its age there was, behind the altar, the Ten Commandments. But to its right, instead of the Creed, there was a relief of Aaron putting on the head of a goat the sins of the people before releasing it into the wilderness. This concept of forgiveness I have never seen elsewhere. And, in an urban setting, it could well be lost. But on Lundy Island, with its vast sweeps of lonely land, the symbolism seemed perfect.…
Candlelight
Monday 25th February 2019
Hilary
Candlelight circles hallowed stones, embraces the expectant. Prayer emptied out until silence listens for the Unseen. Surprised by wordless Wisdom. Simply enfolded. God being present. Written following a service in Iona Abbey ... Hilary went on to say, 'The Sunday evening Abbey service was one of quiet reflection. In the stillness, I came to the end of my questions to God. I gave Him space.'
God in All Places
Thursday 21st February 2019
Paul Heppleston
I wonder how many of you can remember Pilgrim Adventure. That's how Journeying started (it was about 10 years ago that the name was changed). There's quite a bit of overlap between what is meant by 'journeying' and what is meant by 'pilgrimage'. And these days they can almost describe the same thing. We can think about the journey of life as being a pilgrimage with the ultimate destination being God; the paradox is that God is also on the journey with us - and was there encouraging us when we set off at the start.....God being at our beginnings, accompanying us through life and waiting for us at the gate to new life. It's the journey and the destination. As Christians…
Pilgrim Adventure
Monday 18th February 2019
Carole Hodgkins
The hills of grey-blue erstwhile were green, The pilgrims walked onwards through heather's mauve screen. Some changed, some silent - over rocks and bog plough While their spirit soars heavenward knowing that Heaven is now! Ragged robin and orchid bring joy to the eye, Mosses, so green and springy 'neath our feet lie. The deer on the hillside, the stags on the brow, Convince me more strongly Heaven is now! The mysterious water hides Neptune's dark world, The whale and the o er glide 'neath ripples froth-furled. The Lord shares our travail, this I avow, And His glory in flowers and His people reveals - Heaven is now! Carole travelled for the first time with Pilgrim Adventure in 1996. The above was written on the island of…