In the seven months since it was launched, over 500 churches have signed up to become part of the FaithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. in the North PilgrimPilgrim 1. In the New Testament and Christian thought, someone engaged in the Christian journey through life towards heaven. 2. Someone who journeys to holy places (such as biblical sites or shrines of the saints) to seek God's help, to give thanks, or as an act of penance Place network, welcoming people into a peaceful, safe space which offers time to relax and reflect on faith, life, and our journey through it.
Churches are finding that by making small changes and offering resources to take away, people are taking the opportunity to explore their buildings. Using simple trail leaflets for example, visitors can spend time reflecting on the meaning of symbols and architecture, learn about the history and heritage of the building, taking time out of the ‘ordinary’ to think about their journey through life.
Any church, in any setting, can become a Pilgrim Place — providing beautiful, peaceful, meaningful, safe spaces full of stories, in which people can take a breath, reflect, and find forgiveness, healing, and strength.
The Revd Chris BishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain, VicarVicar (Latin vicarius 'substitute') 1. A substitute, representative, or proxy. 2. Title given to priest responsible for caring for a parish. In the Middle Ages many rectors (who had the right to the income from a parish church) appointed vicars to care for the parish in their place. Now also used of a priest who is a member (team vicar) of a team ministry. of St Lawrence Church, Hatfield, which is now a Pilgrim Place said, “The Pilgrim Places resources are helping us shape the building in a way that feels more intentional. We are creating quiet corners, simple prayer prompts, and improving all our signage. I think being a ‘Pilgrim Place’ is helping us to communicate that church is open not just for services, but for anyone who wants to wander in, breathe, and discover God afresh. We are growing in confidence to welcome visitors, and being a ‘Pilgrim Place’ is renewing our sense of missionMission 1. A group of people sent out to share religious faith. 2. The task of sharing faith..”
Theo Sheridan-Watts, Programme Manager for Faith in the North said, “We have been amazed by the interest from churches to become Pilgrim Places. It’s a really simple thing to do and yet it can make a huge difference to making churches accessible and welcoming. People feel able to enter a building that they may have walked past for years, and are discovering a place for rest and refreshment, sorely needed in our world today.”
Working with partners, Faith in the North has developed a new set of easy-to-use resources. These encourage visitors to explore church buildings and other sites, to engage with the stories they tell, and so enhance their own journey through life.
The resources include: Pilgrim Place signage; ‘Being a Pilgrim’ Prayer Cards – offering simple ways to pray about everyday life; illustrated, reflective trails – suitable for any church building and designed for visitors of all backgrounds; and Pilgrim Explorer Cards – a resource for children and young people to explore the church building and its stories. There are still limited free sample packs of prayer cards and leaflets for places which join the network.
Read more and find out how your church can become a Pilgrim Place by visiting https://faithinthenorth.org/pilgrim-places/