Archbishop Stephen's visit to Chester Diocese

The event was compered by Lesley Currie the Assistant Archdeacon of Macclesfield  and included contributions from young pilgrimages from Farndon who have walked through various regions including Devonshire, Conway and the Snowdonia range and are nearing Bardsley Area.  Chaplain, Rev Hana Amner introduced a choreographed piece by  ‘Pneuma’, a dance group of students from Bishop’s Blue Coat High School. Prayers were led by Karen Hellewell.

Bishop Mark reflected on the theme of pilgrimage using his experience of motorbike adventures called ‘Small Bikes, Big Adventures’ including a route he took with an old friend and fellow biker, journeying from Hamilton Square, Birkenhead to Marble Arch in London. He explained that every pilgrimage is a journey but not every journey is a pilgrimage because at the heart of pilgrimage is the search for a place of peace, ultimately for Jesus Christ.

In his address, Archbishop Stephen drew parallels between Jesus’ journey to the cross and the pilgrim’s journey through life. He emphasised the importance of travelling light, both literally and metaphorically, and the value of slowing down to appreciate the journey rather than just the destination.

In his personal anecdotes about talking the Camino way to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of the hospitality of strangers and the inner stillness found through movement.

He encouraged churches to embrace the Pilgrim Places initiative to deepen faith and share the gospel.

It was an early start for the Archbishop who attended a breakfast for civic leaders hosted by the Bishop of Chester at Bishop’s House before meeting schoolchildren taking part in workshops exploring pilgrimage.

They learned about St Werburgh through a costumed storyteller at Chester Cathedral, and created unique clay pilgrimage symbols to remind them of their engagement with the day. Wearing caps marked with the scallop shell, the children then joined the archbishop on a mini‑pilgrimage through the streets of Chester, before participating in a singing workshop led by Nick and Becky Drake from Songs for Schools. They concluded the morning by stamping their pilgrim passport which they took back to school to help them to reflect on their experiences. 

Wearing caps bearing the clam shell symbol of pilgrimage, the children took part in a mini pilgrimage led by the Archbishop of York through the streets of Chester.  Their morning ended with a singing workshop with Nick and Becky Drake from Worship for Everyone.

The Parish Church of Tarvin hosted an afternoon tea for churches to find out more about the Faith in the North initiative. Here, the Archbishop encouraged churches to embrace the opportunity to tap into the huge interest in pilgrimage in our culture – and to ensure our buildings speak to visitors of the story of Jesus Christ, to be better translators and intepretors of our holy spaces.

For details of the Faith in North resources go to Pilgrim Places - Faith in the North