Last Wednesday, forty two of us went on a day pilgrimage to The National Gallery, where we looked at Christian art, in particular eight selected paintings. It was wonderful to walk around and hear the conversations of everyone.......here's a comment from one of those who came.
'I valued having time to explore the detail of each painting and reflect on the intention of the artists and the impact on me. Your booklet worked really well in helping us find the paintings in the complex layout of the Gallery, and connect with the history and detail of the pieces.'
It may seem strange to you to think we were on a pilgrimage, but pilgrimage at it’s most basic is a journey in which we seek God. So, whatever form it takes, pilgrimage begins with choosing what to take with us, and as we set out for our day we paused for a moment to consider what we might need to let go of and leave behind?
If we are able to let go, it enables us to have more inner space to receive and helps us to intentionally set our hearts and minds on seeking God, and his presence with us.
We prayed that through the art we saw, the people we spoke to and the service we worshipped at, that we might all encounter God, and that we would be open to noticing him at work in us and in those around us………..
We worshipped in St. Martin in the Fields at the 1pm sung communion service, it was a delight to have Rev. Richard Carter leading and presiding at the service. We also had the most beautiful and sublime sung music, here's another comment from one of our group. 'The service was serene and those voices, well, how fabulous were the duet?
After the service we returned to the gallery, spending more time looking at the art and for some, they even found time for a cup of tea!
Well begun Sharon!