It was delightful and awesome (in the old-fashioned sense) last Friday, to meet such interesting, energetic and creative people, doing all they can with all they have, within their communities, and refreshing to bond so quickly and feel affirmed by the enthusiastic members of the small group – though sad not to have a chance to say “goodbye” when the group time was over…..

Questions…..

David Whyte’s “YOU were more marvellous in your simple wish to find a way… than any destination”, John O’Donohue’s “may you travel in an awakened way…that you may not waste the invitations” and Osheta’s “Who hurt you?” spoke to me while Jer’s talk of leaders being seduced into imperialism resonated.

“Becoming the hopeful alternative” – I wonder if there’s a chance?

The pace of the day was testing….might I be too old and be wasting a place on the pilgrimage…..?

Slowing down to “walk” the labyrinth felt better! What will I call God on this journey? My heart replied immediately – “Mother”!

My inspiration

I remember feeling overwhelmed when facing my first “retirement” job…

The task of co-ordinating a new Churches Homeless Night Shelter seemed challenging enough, without having to negotiate hidden and conflicting agendas around self-promotion and proselytising…!

I wasn’t brought up to venerate saints, but I came across Celtic Christian history and liturgy just at this point, and St. Hilda, who was called to set up a monastery (for men and women) at age 62 (the same age as me at the time) offered an inspirational model – the daily devotionals based on her story seeming written just for my situation! Hilda hosted the council of Whitby, bringing the two sides of the British church (Celtic and Roman) together, and graciously sacrificed her own opinions, for the sake of encouraging the growth of faith.

I began to draw strength from contemplation, using materials from the Northumbria and Corrymeela Communities (Celtic in cultural heritage), in parallel with mindfulness practice. Naturally anxious, I’ve learned to value lament and to focus on the breath/spirit, in these turbulent times. I discharge my anxiety through activity and am increasingly engaged with nature – developing helpful routines and practices for both body and soul.

The elderly Irish pilgrim Canaire (d. 530AD) is my inspiration for this journey. She resolutely walked 182km. to “the place of her resurrection” (the all-male monastery on Scattery Island, where the missionary Aidan would later be anointed) and refused to be turned away by its founder, St. Senan, for being female. She assertively reminded him that Christ came to redeem women no less than men, and that women and men will all enter the heavenly kingdom.

So, as I start my part of this pilgrimage, I’m focusing on remembering God’s faithfulness, being truly present, listening, being curious, “doing the little things” (as St. David advised) and not wasting any invitation, while praying “Come Lord Jesus”.