Rev. Sister Judith of The Order of the Companions of Martha and Mary (OCMM) writes ... in November 2018 Rev. Michael Hampson, who is Vicar of Saint Margaret's Hornby; Saint Michael the Archangel Whittington; Saint John the Baptist Arkholme; Saint John the Evangelist Gressingham in the Lune Valley ran a successful Peace and Justice week. 

Following on from this, the local communities wanted to ensure that peace was a priority in our world, in our communities, in our churches and in our hearts.

Lune Valley Peace Pilgrimage, Saturday 27th July 2019, 10am to 4pm

Printable copies of the Itinery and route and the Peace Displays leaflets are available here.

As part of my IME2 training I need to complete a project on witness (which is a key part of the Diocesan Vision 2026). The heart of what we must do as Christians is to pray following the example of Jesus who constantly ‘went away to a quiet place to be with his Father’.

The main focus of the day will be to invite people to pray for peace.

Further information from: sisterjudithocmm@gmail.com Tel: 03330119563

The Churches

The following churches will participate by having a theme for the day and this display will remain in the churches during the following week. (27th July to 3rd August). The themes of the churches are as follows:

• St Joseph RC Kirkby Lonsdale – Strangers in a strange land (the refugee crisis)
• St Michael the Archangel – Whittington: War and Peace
• St John the Baptist – Arkholme: Inspirational People of Peace
• St John the Evangelist – Gressingham: From Darkness to Light
• St Mary RC – Hornby: Brokenness
• St Margaret Hornby: Healing of the Nations

Other elements to the day:

• A pilgrimage passport will be available to collect from the first church visited and this will then be stamped at each church.
• A candle with the above logo will burn throughout the day in all the churches
• The prayer of St Francis, ‘Make me an instrument of your peace’ will be said on the hour in each of the churches throughout the day.
• An act of worship will begin and end the day.
• A children’s activity table in each church

Pilgrimage Walk

Beginning at St Joseph Kirkby Lonsdale at 10am a group will walk through the Lune Valley to St Margaret Hornby. It is hoped they will arrive by 4pm.

The route will mainly be along the river but will pass through the villages of Whittington, Arkholme and Gressingham.

The walkers will visit each church with time to see the display and have refreshment. On the hour throughout the day the walkers will pray the prayer of St Francis.

Note: As this walk passes through farmland and our churches have a policy for only guide dogs, dogs on this occasion will not be allowed.

Further information from: sisterjudithocmm@gmail.com Tel: 03330119563