In May 2007 the Community made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in the company of a group of friends. The excuse was to celebrate Carl's 60th birthday. The walking pilgrims walked 112km of the Camino from Sarria to join the single centre pilgrims at Santiago who had been having day excursions to places like Lugo and Pontevedra. Our final day in Santiago was Ascension Day, which included a big local fiesta. It was a great privilege to follow in the footsteps of so many pilgrims over so many centuries, and the Cathedral of the third city of Christendom was something else! It has certainly whetted our appetites for more. Here are our photos, and feedback from some of the pilgrims.
I know that this will not have been the most rapid reflection to come your way - but then its me and the fact that thoughts are hitting paper (well the screen) is a minor miracle - as was indeed my eventually getting to Santiago to which you are to be greatly thanked.
The reason I didn't give up was because I said I would do it and so really tried to but also because for me it was something that was being done together and I wanted to try my hardest to do it with all the other folk. One of my reflections is simply of a group doing something together - alongside the various groups over the centuries who had done something similar although for very different reasons probably.
In fact part of the delight of the group was the variety of personality and view and yet we were in whatever small way on a shared journey. I found particularly interesting the varied conversations with folk as we wandered - sometimes only brief as different folk came along or whatever but often each very important with all kinds of things being shared. There are perhaps folk I will not meet again, and the pilgrimage will turn out to be a brief encounter, but who have shared something of their journey with me and vice versa - to get theological or even biblical it is interesting to note that that actually was the nature of most of Christs interactions in the Gospels - a difference made in spending time with folk most of whom he was never to see again. Difference made by showing them something of the kingdom or the nature of God, by inclusion care, healing or whatever.
All that was part of the journey the other week - I found myself thinking that sharing in a faith almost made sense that maybe there was room for all sorts on the pilgrim way that the church might have a nugget of value and something important to offer. The only catch to that is on getting back to good old blighty we learn that ++ Rowan hasn't invited Gene Robinson to Lambeth - the pilgrim way isn't big enough after all and also the liturgy we experienced in the cathedral at Saintiago that left everyone cold. God was still alive and well in the delightful dance her spirit shining through oversized heads and the roaming bands and the leisurely lunches - the impromptu drunken (for some) meals out and all the fun of the fair.
No idea if the above makes sense or is what carl or you were wanting but there it is.
Can I also say that it was great to spend time with Sarah Hilly, Carl, Susie and Jan away from Sheldon and all relaxed (that's a relative term) and all being looked after as it were by others.
It was also really nice for me (I hate the word nice but its late and I'm tired and I go on holiday tomorrow) to be asked to do the eucharisty thingy because as I said at the time it is always a delight to do that in a Sheldon context - the only downside is that it always seems to emphasise the gap between what I consider real religion and what the institution does - but hey whats new.
Hope getting back into work hasn't been too much of a struggle for you all.
Take care, Lots of love Phil.
PS only through Sheldon could I be persuaded to walk 60 miles from a to b in order to go round in circles on a big wheel when we get there.
Challenge-training- perseverance - a sense of achievement Great people to walk and talk with Lovely wild flowers and scenery Good food and wine ,showers after a long walk The beauty of some village churches and the grandeur of Santiago It is a cliche but true that life is a pilgrimage where, at times there is movement forward, at others a standing still to take in, to observe, to charge one's batteries and there are occasions when steps are retraced as the wrong path has been followed A recognition that walking alone is good, maybe for a time, but it is helpful to have friends and colleagues alongside, to encourage when the going gets touch, and to share the joys of life too. It's good to remember that God is always with us, on the journey, often walking alongside and at other times carrying us. He too shares our joys and sorrows. Norma.
Dear All,
A wonderful week with friends old and new. Many Thanks to Sarah for
organizing it, and to Sue Lee for leading us so well.
My Truobadour CD is superb - lovely music and singing - I take back all that
I said abour "him" !! Love Jean.
Dear All,
Many thanks for a wonderful time in Galicia. I met many new friends both within Sue's group and the walkers. Memories of my time in Higher Ashton (mid 50's !!) and knowing the area around Sheldon, helps me to understand why Sheldon is an ideal place for the centre.Thank You Sarah for your superb organizing of the pilgrimage, and a special thanks to Sue for leading a very friendly and welcoming Single Centre Group, and also supplying sunshine when required !! (Yes, thinking about those "photo's" again) Along with Jean, I look forward to visiting Sheldon again in the not too distant future. Best Wishes John.HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARL - Love Jean and John
Dear Sarah and all the Sheldon Family, thank you so much for including me on the Camino!! It was great and I so enjoyed myself. All aspects of the trip were an adventure and all taken in good part so there were no "horrid" moments, some awkward ones but as I said all taken in good part. I thought that Christina was an excellent guide, fun, very knowledgeable but not in the least bit boring!! I learnt a lot about Galicia, my fellow travellers and myself and have come home refreshed and rearing to go! THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! Sorry there are no photos from me but my camera went haywire. I shall enjoy yours instead. See you all soon, love Susiewol.
Brilliant - inspiring good walking companions Hotels so comfortable Scenery reminded me of Derbyshire/Romania Brought back so many memories of times past, especially time of reflection on the past at the Eucharist. Eucharist on the Wednesday evening summed it all up for me - about Christian life and Christian fellowship Loved and fascinated by the eucalyptus trees and also the pollarded oak trees Wonderful sense of achievement battling through the rain and the wind on the Sundahy What a lovely helpful lady was Eva Fascinated by the history and culture and language of Galicia - Eva a true patriot, loving her country Amazed how we had no problems with our feet - and grateful that we were able to complete the course at our advanced age. Loved the wild flowers in the hegerows - and old fashioned meadows The churches were too gaudy and extravagant - personlly wouldn't be comfortable worshipping in them Santiago as a whole - breathtakingly beautiful - though many of the buildings could do with some weeding! could go on and on with reflections - but this is enough for now Roy
Thank you for a really great time in Santiago and for all the work done in organising the trip. Thoughts on the single centre pilgrimage: Our lovely guide Christina and her charming accent "This moonck, he say" (on being shown round a freezing monastery by a monk). The winding old streets of Santiago, its lovely squares and shops and the bustling market place plus the floodlit Cathedral and the atmosphere this created. The pong from the chicken and paper factories at Pontevedra; the sea front and statues at Coruna and the overall life and colour of the Spanish towns. Finally company and closeness of the group - getting together for dinner in the evenings and occasionally for lunch and coffee breaks in the day. With our love Mike and Ann (photos may follow!)
I returned physically tired but emotionally & spiritually greatly refreshed. Thank you everyone. Freda
To walk a length of this centuries old pilgrim path has been a desire I have cherished for many years. For various reasons the opportunity has never presented itself until, towards the end of February this year, a place in the Sheldon Group became available and was offered to me. Something for which I shall always be most grateful. Having had a few days now to reflect on the experience there are various facets and elements which have etched their way into my mind and heart and which bring a great sense of joy and fulfilment:
- The company with whom I shared the week. Though I had never met any of the pilgrims before I never at any stage felt a stranger. From the first day I was made to feel that these were my friends. And for that I am so grateful. How could the pilgrimage be anything but a success when we walk together in that spirit?
- The walk itself - the villages and homesteads we passed through - the little churches - the lush vegetable gardens - the quaint little buildings for storing vegetables - the beautiful scenery - the wild flowers and eucalyptus forests - the encouragement and sense of admiration gained from seeing the elderly, the infirm and the blind engaged in the same pilgrimage - the inspiration gained from the realisation that we were actually sharing in an amazing, rich and romantic portion of history as we walked paths which pilgrims' feet had trod for centuries - enriching conversations along the way and the opportunities simply to look, think and pray in solitude - the powerful symbol of all walking in the same direction.
- The thrill of arriving at Santaigo and seeing the Cathedral for the first time - wandering the streets of the Granite City - enjoying the fun of the ferris-wheel at the fair - the disappointment of not seeing the great censer in action in the cathedral was replaced by a fascinating and interesting tour of the building with Eva - a magnificent organ recital - Spanish folk music and dancing outside the cathedral - and a return trip with Phil to give St. James a hug on the morning we left Santiago.
A wonderful walk with wonderful people. Thank you to everyone for helping to make it a most exciting and memorable experience.
John Bown - the 'teetotal' High Chapel Methodist
