In May the Athelney Benefice is planning a Rogation Walk using St Athelwin as their focus. St Athelwin was a hermit who came to The Isle of the Mallows in…
In May the Athelney Benefice is planning a Rogation Walk using St Athelwin as their focus. St Athelwin was a hermit who came to The Isle of the Mallows in the seventh century and lived the rest of his days as a spiritual focus for the area. He is thought to be buried on the Isle of Athelney. Today the mallow flower (shown above) is a recognition of his presence.
Revd Dr Simon Bale, Vicar Athelney Benefice, says “One of the important things with any benefice is that we can see each one another as part of the same benefice and St Athelwin will help with this. We are of course one church, far more than a single benefice. Jesus encouraged us to think this way and for some time I have considered the Athelney Benefice as ‘One Church: Four Locations’.
“A Rogation Walk is all about walking around or through the area of a parish or benefice, and it seems a good opportunity to combine Rogation with Athelwin. St Athelwin was more than “simply” a hermit. He came to our neck of the woods at a time when our ancestors were flipping back and forth between paganism and Christianity. St Athelwin forced the issue and during his lifetime and, probably due to his presence, the Athelney area and beyond became firmly Christian.”
On 11 May the walk will begin in Lyng Church where where Athelwin arrived first into the area, and then travel via the Alfred Monument, to Burrowbridge, Stoke St Gregory finally arriving in North Curry for the May Fair. The group will pause at each of the benefice churches for a short act of worship.
Those who are unable to walk are invited to travel by car and join the act of worship at each location. Revd Simon says, ‘The important thing is that we take the opportunity to recognise the unity and also the diversity of our four parishes. Just as the four Gospels tell the same story of The Good News in different ways, each of our villages and parishes has something unique to say about our faith today.
“The Athelney Benefice is a wonderful example of God’s presence in the world. The walk won’t be one long prayer meeting, but there will be chance to observe and reflect upon the geography, the people and the abundance of goodness.”
If you would like to find out more about the Rogation Walk please visit the Rogation and St Athelwin website
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