To be a pilgrim…..is to be blessed by the hospitality of strangers. The Diocesan Pilgrimage brought our two lovely parishes together as both pilgrims and hosts; linking us geographically as we walked from Chaldon to Whyteleafe and linking us in forms of mission and discipleship that became immediately apparent as soon as we set foot outside the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul.

As we walked, conversation flowed, we shared our stories and we had people join us along the way … Derek who chose the flat section on Kenley Airfield as an achievable distance, Leonie and her friends who popped up at intervals along the way where she could gain access on her mobility scooter. Helen who had to find a way to link up because she came by public transport and couldn’t be there at the start, and several who came from their morning worship to join in the lunch stop at St Luke’s.

Then there were the encounters with stranger and with friend – familiar faces surprised to see us or new faces curious to know what we were up to. Walking from Chaldon to Whyteleafe on the first Sunday just a week after saying a sad farewell to Rev Annie it was a powerful affirmation of the two parishes with their diverse gifts but also reminding us of our interconnectedness.

This grass roots sense of connection built throughout the ensuing week, as in parish after parish we were welcomed and given rest. The overwhelming take way from a week of ‘walking into the heart of creation’ was that in every square mile of our Diocese there are good and faithful people caring for creation and caring for their community.

These folk were not clergy, they were the stalwart parishioners who make up our church communities and at least 4 of those we visited were in vacancy like us. Just like the first century Christian communities that Paul was writing to in Thessaloniki and across the Mediterranean we are called to follow in the way shown to us in Jesus Christ, live by God’s commandments and share our stories.

As we journey together through this next phase of our two parish life we are called to love our neighbour as ourselves and to encourage one
another. My experience of the diocesan pilgrimage was a powerful confirmation that this is not only possible, it is life giving and life affirming.