Exploring pilgrimage together at the Rural Forum

More than 150 people from across the diocese attended this year’s Rural Forum which took place at Bagley Baptist Church. The day focused on pilgrimage and its place in the life and mission of rural churches.

Clergy, lay leaders and others involved in rural ministry considered how churches could create pilgrimage routes in their communities, to give people opportunities to walk together, talk about faith and pray.

The forum offered space to share ideas and experiences, explore the challenges and to hear from speakers about the possibilities pilgrimage offers for local ministry and mission.

The Revd Canon Dr Sally Welch, from the Diocese of Hereford, has years of experience of pilgrimage and has written several books on the subject. She spoke about the contribution pilgrimage can make to church life, drawing on her own experiences.
She said, “I am a pilgrim, I have done many pilgrimages, with many people, in many different ways.”

Sally spoke about her own pilgrimages and the routes created in her benefice. She explained how her church community has worked with others to share these routes and walk them with parishioners and visitors. She described how pilgrimage could offer opportunities for “discipleship in a new rural way.”

Seeing God in the ordinary was also shared in a video message from the Revd Canon Dr Trystan Owain Hughes, author of To Hell’s Mouth and Back: Pilgrimage, Suffering and Hope. Trystan shared how pilgrimage is more than travelling from one destination to another: it is about embracing the journey and opening our eyes to glimpse God’s kingdom in the ordinary moments.

The Revd Gill Sakini, a pioneer priest in the arts, also joined the forum. Gill drew on the Bible and art to explore the theology of pilgrimage, discussing with those gathered about the relationship between journeying and faith.
Reflecting on the day, Rob Walrond, Bath and Wells Rural Adviser, said, “Today has given us time to learn from our speakers and one another, and to look afresh at the possibilities for pilgrimage in our own communities.

“For many of our rural churches, the next step is to consider how local paths and places could become an invitation to explore faith, including for people who might not otherwise come through the church door.”

After lunch people were invited to take part in one of a number of workshops on offer. There were opportunities to explore accessible pilgrimage through a labyrinth workshop, pilgrimage and creating societal change, and artful pilgrimage in ‘Taking a line for a walk’. Another session focused on exploring outdoors with children, young people and families.

Speaking about the day, one of those who attended said, “It’s been useful to have time to think about and discuss pilgrimage with others in a similar situation to us. I’m going home with ideas to share and explore with our church. The mix of talks and workshops helped me consider what we might actually do in our parish.”

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