Pilgrimage

What is the difference between a pilgrim and tourist?  A poignant question. Lauren Artress shares in her book Walking a Sacred Path, "I sat in a church in Prague contemplating this question.  Watching people enter the church, I observed that tourists take pictures.  Pilgrims may also, but they go farther: they sit and meditate, some kneel in prayer, some light candles."  Lauren has studied and created labyrinth spaces all over the world, in and out of churches, a  long time host, inviting others into the sacred art of walking.  She notes, "The pilgrim participates. The tourist observes."   If we approach lent as a pilgrimage, we are invited to travel as pilgrims.  Can we make this shift in our mind? "The shift from tourist, who comes with an interested eye, to pilgrim, who comes with a searching heart, makes all the difference in the world."   Come let us journey the path together, Pastor Pam

A prayer for On the Way...

          God, help us to practice faith in our inner lives that we might

become generous in service, giving without counting cost, mindful

of the Spirit and your desire:

          Overflowing with grace centered in the One who gave everything

that we might reveal the power of love in a wounded world and share the 

beauties of God's dream.

          Make us faithful people, ready to take our part on stage in the great 

drama of your vision for this world.  Amen.

                                              - Barbara Brown Taylor from A Beautiful Year