A Journey of the Soul

Dear Sisters and Brothers, my Diocesan Family

I invite you, each individual and congregation, to join me and others across the diocese in making our Second Way of the Spirit Pilgrimage. This year it is to  Ascension Episcopal Church in Twin Falls in September. We’ll begin on Friday, September 26, and conclude on Sunday, September 28.

For centuries, people of all religions, including Christians, have made sacred journeys to sacred places. This is an opportunity to grow in your faith, with people from across our diocese. It will be a road trip and retreat. A time of laughter and a time of spiritual refreshment.

The registration link with the event schedule will be posted in the next few days. Please block these days in your calendar to celebrate faith, friendship, and have fun with the rest of the Diocesan Family from September 26-27. You don't want to miss it.

To help us begin to prepare for this pilgrimage, I encourage you to:

1. Pray for the pilgrimage that God will use it to bless your home & our diocese
2. Pray about going yourself and having a group from your congregation go
3. Read the book, A Pilgrimage of the Heart” by Fr. Kevin Goodrich OP.

Click here to get your copy. The book is short, introducing readers to the medieval practice of pilgrimage and some of the classic English mystics, like Julian of Norwich, who sought to make an interior spiritual pilgrimage. It includes helpful exercises and questions for small group discussion.

Buy the Book In Preparation for the Second Annual Pilgrimage. 

Ideas for Making Pilgrimage
 Lift-up a prayer intention daily or regularly from now until the pilgrimage. Trust that God will answer your intention in some way through this pilgrimage
experience. Be open to how the Holy Spirit manifests and works in your daily life through this time.

 Read the Bible daily or regularly from now until the pilgrimage. You could use a devotional such as provided by Forward Day by Day or a Bible app. You might also consider reading through a particular book of the Bible from now until the day of the pilgrimage. If you’ve never read or it’s been a while you may wish to read one of the four Gospels about the life of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

 Read Fr. Goodrich’s book, A Pilgrimage of the Heart: Walter Hilton and the English Mystical Tradition. You can read it on your own or consider doing it as a study in your local parish or group of parishes in preparation for the pilgrimage. The book is short and includes questions and spiritual exercises that will strengthen your faith and your pilgrimage experience in September. The book is
available digitally and print.
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 Choose one of the five mystic-saints from Fr. Goodrich’s book to be your companion in the faith over these next days. Use the time before the pilgrimage to learn more about this mystic and saint. The five mystics are Walter Hilton, Richard Rolle, Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, and the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing.

 In your parish add the list of pilgrims, those who will make the pilgrimage in September, to your Prayers of the People each Sunday. Pray that their journey will be safe, transformational, and that their prayer intentions will be answered.
 
 On Sunday, September 21, do a blessing in the liturgy for all those going on the pilgrimage. You could have pilgrims share what their hopes are for the pilgrimage. Alternatively, or in addition to, you can send off the pilgrims, with a circle of blessing in the church parking lot when pilgrims depart on Friday, September 26. Related to this idea is encouraging the group to carpool together
down to the pilgrimage. Regardless, make sure to pray on your own or together before leaving on 9/26.

 Have pilgrims share about their experience of pilgrimage on Sunday, October 7 as part of worship, also consider ways they can share parts of their pilgrimage
experience in writing and on social media with others.

 Minimize use of phones and devices during the start and close of the pilgrimage