Thus saith the lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6,16
15th April: At Portreath Geoff, Richard and Beth from the Godrevy Team joined Bishop Chris on the last two days of his Cornish Celtic Way pilgrimage around Cornish Churches. We shared reflections around Bible reading. In each church Bishop Chris prayed that we, in all our different ways, might reach out to enrich, serve and strengthen our local communities.
Following Bishop Chris, Richard, Geoff and Rev. Caspar from Portreath took the coastal path from Portreath to Gwithian along with two other pilgrims from Portreath who turned back halfway to create their own circular route.
At Gwithian we enjoyed a big welcome from our Rector, followed by delicious soup, good company, and time to relax.
It was so lovely being greeted as we approached Phillack, the cup of tea was much needed. Bishop Chris is a keen gardener, and in every church he left seeds from the wildflower garden originally created by monks at St Germans. Bishop Chris loved the glorious variety of the planting along King George's walk and enjoyed meeting people on our way to St Elwyn's. Time to relax, chat, and have refreshments there before walking to St Uny. Great care was taken of our Bishop on this pilgrimage, that was certain. Although there had been no preparatory planning with churches, this time there was a cream tea for everyone, and meal and bed for the night for Bishop Chris.
16th April: An early start was the order of the day. We three from the Godrevy Team left one car at Ludgvan first, and drove on to St Uny for 8.30 croissants and coffee .
A fit looking gentleman came to be with us in the morning at St Uny. He regretted that he could not walk well enough for the walk. There would have been many more pilgrims if the churches involved had organized those who could not walk much to ferry people from the pilgrimage stopping points to their chosen form of transport.
As a prelude the enlarged group of walkers visited the church of St Ia in St Ives, before following St Michael's Way to Ludgvan. Pasties were appreciated there, and an even larger group then walked to Marazion.
After our climb, there was a very special service in the chapel at which Penny led cheerful singing to her guitar accompaniment. It was led by the Rector of Ludgvan Church who will soon be completing a book based upon the Cornish Celtic Way. A new website provides updates of Cornish Celtic Way walks.
Lord and Lady St Levan invited us all for tea. The views or the garden under the balcony were a delight. Time to walk down and be ferried across to Marazion .
The day ended with a welcome to Marazion Church, a Taize service and food, glorious food once more.
All in all, an unmissable and very spiritual experience, in the best of good company; just wish we had organized ourselves to take part from the beginning!
September, 2017: a Friday walk on the celtic way from Ludgvan to The Mount.
The little carved pilgrim above Ludgvan Church porch set the mood. It was absolutely delightful walking down through the fields towards Marazion, and chatting too, at times.
Others were taking photos for The Cornish Celtic Way website. The walk along the beach gave me time for quiet reflection before we entered Marazion Church for Lunch.
What a welcome from those who offered the food, with groups of tables and chairs looking most inviting. We sat next to a couple who were on holiday from London. Delicious soup, bread, fruit and splendiferous samples of baking accompanied by conversation for a relaxing hour.
After a simple Taize service we left Zoe's St Michael painting, crossed the causeway and climbed up via the Pilgrim Steps towards the glorious view right over to our starting point.
Enjoy more Adobe Spark pages: Lichens, The Botetoe Bridge Walk and Christmas Tree festival 2016 are all to be found at gwinearparishchurch.org.uk