Everyday Pilgrimage – 27/8/23
Hybrid Service: ‘Everyday Pilgrimage: on Wandering, Getting Lost and Finding your Way’
Musical Prelude: F. Schubert: Der Pilgrim, D.794 (played by George Ireland)
Opening Words: ‘Travellers on Life’s Journey’ by Andy Pakula (adapted)
We arrive travellers on life’s journey. Seekers of meaning, healing, and truth …
Numerous are our origins, paths, and destinations.
Yet happily – our ways have joined together today.
Spirit of life, Source of love, may our joining be a blessing;
May our time together bring comfort to those in pain,
hope to those in despair, peace to those in fear;
May it bring wisdom and guidance for all of our journeys…
And though this joining be for just a moment in time,
May we embrace this and every instant of our lives.
Words of Welcome and Introduction:
These opening words – by Andy Pakula – welcome all who have gathered this morning for our Sunday service. Welcome to those of you who have gathered in-person at Essex Church and also to all who are joining us via Zoom from far and wide. A special welcome to our friends from Meadrow Chapel, Godalming Unitarians, who are joining us this morning. Whoever you are, however you are, wherever you are, you are welcome here this morning just as you are. For anyone who doesn’t know me, my name is Jeannene Powell, and I’m currently chair of this congregation (and I’ll soon be taking on the role of Community Development Coordinator).
This morning’s service is titled ‘Everyday Pilgrimage: on Wandering, Getting Lost and Finding Your Way’ – a theme chosen by our guest preacher, Rev. Sheena Gabriel – who is joining us via Zoom. We’re delighted to have you with us again, Sheena, and looking forward to hearing your reflections.
But before we go any further let’s take a moment to get settled and centred and ready to worship. We make this hour sacred by our presence and intention. We’ve each set aside this time to be here, together, and attend to the life of the spirit. We’ve temporarily laid down our to-do lists and put away everything else that is clamouring for our attention. So let’s take a few slow breaths and be here now.
Chalice Lighting: ‘Journeying Together’ by Adam Slate (adapted)
Let’s light our chalice flame now, as we do each week. This simple ritual connects us in solidarity with Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the world over, and reminds us of the proud and historic progressive religious tradition of which we are a part.
(light chalice)
As we travel the paths that our lives reveal to us,
We are often not sure of the way, the distance, or destination.
Nevertheless, we have each other.
Let us look to one another for wisdom,
grateful for each other’s companionship,
And seeking support when we have lost hope.
We light our chalice this morning to signify that we are willing to take the journey together honouring the inner light within each of us.
Hymn 360 (grey): ‘Here We Have Gathered’
Let’s sing together now. Our first hymn is number 360 in the grey book, ‘Here We Have Gathered’. For those joining via Zoom the words will be up on your screen to sing along at home. Feel free to stand or sit as you prefer as we sing.
Here we have gathered, gathered side by side;
Circle of kinship, come and step inside!
May all who seek here find a kindly word;
May all who speak here feel they have been heard.
Sing now together this, our hearts’ own song.
Here we have gathered, called to celebrate
Days of our lifetime, matters small and great:
We of all ages, women, children, men,
Infants and sages, sharing what we can.
Sing now together this, our hearts’ own song.
Life has its battles, sorrows and regret:
But in the shadows, let us not forget:
We who now gather know each other’s pain;
Kindness can heal us, as we give, we gain.
Sing now in friendship this, our hearts’ own song.
Candles of Joy and Concern:
Each week when we gather together, we share a simple ritual of candles of joy and concern, an opportunity to light a candle and share something that is in our heart with the community. So we’ve an opportunity now, for anyone who would like to do so, to light a candle and say a few words about what it represents. This time we’re going to go to the people in the building first, and take all of those in one go, and then I’ll call on the people on Zoom to come forward.
So I invite some of you here in person to come and light a candle and then if you wish to tell us briefly who or what you light your candle for. Please do get up close to the microphone as that will help everyone hear (including the people at home). You can take the microphone out of the stand if it’s not at a good height and have it microphone pointing right at your mouth. And if you can’t get to the microphone give me a wave and I’ll bring it over to you. Thank you.
(in person candles)
And if that’s everyone in the room we’ll go over to the people on Zoom next – you might like to switch to gallery view at this stage – just unmute yourselves when you are ready and speak out – and we should be able to hear you and see you up on the big screen here in the church.
(zoom candles)
And I’m going to light one more candle, as we often do, to represent all those joys and concerns that we hold in our hearts this day, but which we don’t feel able to speak out loud. (light candle)
Time of Prayer & Reflection: based on words by Thomas Rhodes
And let’s take those joys and concerns into an extended time of prayer now. This prayer is partly based on some words by Thomas Rhodes. You might first want to adjust your position for comfort, close your eyes, or soften your gaze. There might be a posture that helps you feel more prayerful. Whatever works for you. Do whatever you need to do to get into the right state of body and mind for us to pray together – to be fully present here and now, in this sacred time and space – with ourselves, with each other, and with that which is both within us and beyond us.
Spirit of Life, God of All Love, in whom we live and move and have our being,
we turn our full attention to you, the light within and without,
as we tune in to the depths of this life, and the greater wisdom
to which – and through which – we are all intimately connected.
Be with us now as we allow ourselves to drop into the
silence and stillness at the very centre of our being. (pause)
Holy Spirit of Life and Love,
You who are our source and ultimate destiny, Lead us this day on a crooked path.
Often we are in so much of a hurry
Taking the direct route to our goal,
Not allowing ourselves to be distracted,
Sometimes too direct with one another
in all we seek to do, to be, and to have.
But we see that no river takes a direct path to the sea.
Trees and bushes sprout crooked limbs,
Birds, beasts and insects meander in their search
for food, shelter, or a mate.
We lose so much when we take the direct route –
The interstate which bypasses the quaint town,
The chance to stop and say hello, how are you,
And really listen to the reply.
So lead us on the crooked path
Past wandering streams and crooked trees,
Following our hearts’ desire,
Not just duty’s demands,
For the crooked path also leads us home. (pause)
Spirit of Life and Love,
be with those who are lost this day;
be a companion to all who travel far from home.
Be a guide at the crossroads, breath in weariness,
Protection in danger, shade in heat,
Be consolation in discouragement,
A song in the heart, and courage in dark places.
May all who traverse winding roads, find sanctuary and refreshment,
So that through your strength, those who wander may arrive safely at the end of the road,
And enriched with grace, find a home-coming filled with peace. (pause)
And in a quiet moment now, let us look back over the week just gone, to take stock of it all –
the many everyday cares and concerns of our own lives – and concentric circles of concern
rippling outwards – ‘til they enfold the entire world and all those lives which touch our own.
Let’s take a while to sit quietly in prayer with that which weighs heavy on our hearts this day.
(pause)
And let us also take a moment to notice all the good that has happened in the past week –
moments of uplift and delight; beauty and pleasure; all those acts of generosity and kindness.
The hopes and dreams and possibilities that are bubbling up and reminding us that we’re alive.
There’s lots to be grateful for. So let’s take a little while to sit quietly in prayer and give thanks. (pause)
Spirit of Life – God of all Love – as this time of prayer comes to a close, we offer up
our joys and concerns, our hopes and fears, our beauty and brokenness,
and we call on you for insight, healing, and renewal.
As we look forward now to the coming week,
help us to live well each day and be our best selves;
using our unique gifts in the service of love, justice and peace. Amen
Hymn 106 (grey): ‘Who Would True Valour See’
Let’s sing again. Our next hymn is number 106 in the purple book, ‘Who Would True Valour See’, more commonly known as ‘To Be a Pilgrim’. The words will be on screen as usual. Feel free to stand or sit as you prefer.
Who would true valour see, let them come hither;
One here will constant be, come wind, come weather;
There’s no discouragement, shall make me once relent
My first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset me round with dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound; my strength the more is.
No lion can me fright, I’ll with a giant fight,
But I shall have a right to be a pilgrim.
No word of foe or friend can daunt my spirit;
I know I at the end will life inherit.
Then fancies flee away; I’ll not fear what they say;
I’ll labour night and day to be a pilgrim.
Reading: by Rebecca Armstrong – quoted by Phil Consineau in ‘The Art of Pilgrimage’ (read by Sheena)
In the spirit of the trickster, theologian Rebecca Armstrong relishes the advice given by the mythologist Jospeh Campbell to a pilgrim one cold day in January 1972, after a lecture in Chicago. Armstrong’s family would offer him hospitality whenever he was in town, and he would reciprocate by taking them out for dinner. This is Armstrong’s account:
“…The heartiness of the beef bourguignon had improved everyone’s spirits, and we fought our way cheerfully through the snow to the rather shabby WMCA. That evening Joseph Campbell lectured to a small but enthusiastic audience on the nature of the goddess. After the lecture he was besieged by those who had pressing questions. He listened and answered graciously to all. I was lingering nearby, still trying to digest the immense ideas from his lecture, as well as the remainder of the dinner, and overheard the following encounter.
A woman in her late thirties/ early forties approached Joe and, speaking very rapidly, with great emotion, began to outline her plan for going to Greece to “find the spirit of the goddess that you spoke of tonight”. She pulled out a notebook and showed Joe her itinerary. She had made precise calculations of the best times to visit every major cultural attraction and where and when she would make her salutations to the various deities who statues remained. “Do you think this is sufficient?” she pressed. “Do you think I’ll find the spirit of the goddess?”
Joe had been staring at her while a parade of mixed emotions played over his features. Now he took her one free hand in his and with great kindness and solemnity said, “Dear lady, I sincerely hope that all does not go as planned.” With that he slipped into his overcoat, and we left the building. Sitting in the back seat of the car on the drive home, I could barely contain my curiosity.
Finally, mustering all the courage of my 17 years, I leaned over… and said, “Mr Campbell, that woman going to Greece – why did you tell her that you hoped things did not go as planned?” Joe paused… then threw back his head and laughed with a mystic’s glee. “How will the gods ever find her when she has done everything in her power to make sure that they never will?!” he exclaimed. Then, very soberly: “Unless you leave room for serendipity, how can the divine enter in? The beginning of the adventure of finding yourself is to lose your way!”
Meditation: ‘Lost’ by David Wagoner
We’re moving into a time of meditation now. I’m going to share a short poem by David Wagoner – it’s called ‘Lost’ – and it’s based on Native American wisdom – guidance for moments when we feel lost in the forest of life. The poem will take us into about three minutes of silence which will end with the sound of a bell. Then we’ll hear some music from George to continue the meditative mood. So let’s each do what we need to do to get comfortable – adjust your position if you need to – put your feet flat on the floor to ground yourself – close your eyes. I invite you to get settled into the body… and to watch the rhythm of your breath. As we always say, the words are an offering, feel free to use this time to meditate in your own way.
‘Lost’ – by David Wagoner
Stand still.
The trees ahead and bushes beside you are not lost. (pause)
Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known. (pause)
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you. (pause)
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren. (pause)
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. (pause)
The forest knows where you are.
You must let it find you. (pause)
Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell
Musical Interlude: R. Vaughan Williams: from The Song of the Leaves of Life and the Water of Life (adapted from The Pilgrim’s Progress). (played by George Ireland)
Address: ‘Everyday Pilgrimage: On Wandering, Getting Lost, and Finding your Way’ by Rev. Sheena Gabriel
The first service I ever gave at Godalming Unitarian Chapel – perhaps 24 years ago – included that reading about Joseph Campbell, with the punchline: “Unless you leave room for serendipity, how can the divine enter in? The beginning of the adventure of finding yourself is to lose your way!” Now those of you who are intrepid walkers or travellers, may have exciting tales to tell of wandering off beaten tracks and the adventures that awaited. Me – I’m an armchair traveller – even on holidays sticking to short, ‘safe’ paths. I’ve rarely gotten lost in a ‘big’ way when walking, and only a few times driving – simply because I don’t venture far!
But… there are certainly times when I’ve been lost on my journey through life: When I left the path of my child-hood faith, I wandered in the wilderness for years, until the winding path led me to Godalming Unitarians… Leaving my first marriage, was as terrifying as being lost in an alien landscape…. I’ve lost my way navigating illness, enduring dark nights of the soul, when moving on from jobs…. And at such times I’ve generally found those words of Campbell to be true – at least in retrospect.
At the last service I led for Kensington folk – nearly a year ago – I spoke of waiting for the invisible tug of a ‘slender thread’ to lead me on, as I try to discern the shape of future ministry, and where me and hubby Rob might move to. I’m still waiting for that ‘tug’ and having to accept that sometimes, prolonged periods of feeling lost, are part of life. As inner pilgrims we can consult our ‘maps’ (whether sacred scriptures or the guidebooks of other pilgrims). We can prepare for storms and hone our spiritual muscles. But sometimes, despite careful preparation, we find ourselves lost in that dark wood described by Dante at the start of his Divine Comedy (Inferno Canto 1):
“In the middle of the journey of our life, I came to myself, in a dark wood, where the direct way was lost. It is a hard thing to speak of, how wild, harsh and impenetrable that wood was, so that thinking of it recreates the fear. It is scarcely less bitter than death: but, in order to tell of the good that I found there, I must tell of the other things I saw there. I cannot rightly say how I entered it. I was so full of sleep, at that point where I abandoned the true way.”
Dante spends a fearful night in darkness, then finding himself at the foot of a hill bathed with sunlight tries to continue his journey. He is confronted by 3 beasts – a leopard, a lion, and a she-wolf – who block his way and drive him back. Just as Dante is losing hope, a figure approaches – the poet Virgil – who tells he cannot continue on that path and offers to be his guide. Sometimes, when we’re lost, or the way ahead seems blocked – like Dante, all we can do is wait to be guided by another.
Joyce Rupp in her book ‘Dear Heart, Come Home: The path of Midlife Spirituality’ talks of getting lost as a common feature of mid-life, when our usual pattern of navigating no longer works. She recalls a wilderness retreat where a forest Ranger named Ferguson, offers the hikers this advice; “If you get lost… don’t try to keep finding the way out. Go a short way off the trail by a tree. Wait for someone to come and show you the way home. Whatever you do, don’t panic.” The ranger assured them, that he and his colleagues knew the paths well and would find the explorers.
Rupp found this advice challenging, but years later realised its wisdom – not only for hikers, but for midlife journeyers: “I have gotten lost in the mystery of who I am. I have needed a wise companion to help me find the way home to my true self. I had to learn how to trust another with my lostness. Sometimes this wise companion was a close friend, sometimes a skilled therapist or spiritual director. Always it has been a turning to my wise companion, God, the One who says to me when you get lost, stop, wait, trust. I know the way and I will find you and lead you out.”
Our natural default when lost is often to keep moving – but this may just perpetuate our lostness…. And sometimes we have no choice but to stop and wait. Perhaps you’ve seen the film based on Bill Bryson’s book, ‘A Walk in the Woods’ – about his decision in his 60’s, bored of his predictable life, to hike the Appalachian trail, running near his home in New Hampshire. His wife objects, citing calamities befalling others on the trail – but she finally concedes, on condition he find himself a travelling companion.
All Bryson’s friends decline – except Stephen Katz – an unfit, recovering alcoholic, as little prepared for trekking as him. These two unlikely pilgrims set off and have many adventures. Three months in, not yet halfway along the trail, they wander into a restricted area for “experienced hikers only”. Bill trips and pulls his companion off a steep, rocky cliff. Perched on a ledge with no way up or down, all they can do is spend the night there and hope to be found. As they wait, they reflect on their lives and mortality. Getting lost can propel us to ask the ‘big’ questions and reassess what’s most important in life. In the morning, they are rescued by experienced hikers. Just so, in our dark nights, sometimes all we can do is wait for the dawn – holed up with our travelling companions (perhaps as clueless as we are!) – and trust that help will come.
There are many ways we get lost: we meet the love of our life and end up divorced. We live a healthy lifestyle and get sick. We pursue our dream job and end up redundant. We search for God and find only silence…. As a society, a nation, a world – thrown off course by Covid 19 and all that’s unravelled since – the climate crisis, war in Ukraine, political and social upheaval. As a human species we have surely lost our way… In this time of collective crisis, we might rightly say it’s not enough to sit back and wait to be rescued. We need to take decisive action to try and find a way through our predicament… … But we should not be afraid to admit feeling overwhelmed, nor ashamed to ask for ‘directions’ – whether from wise elders – or spiritual forces – which I believe can come to our aid if we but ask with true humility.
What is it about our seeming reluctance to ask for directions? It’s a gender stereotype, but a newspaper article a few years ago, suggested only 6% of men surveyed would ask for directions, or consult a map when driving. With satnav there’s less need to ask – though of course satnavs are not infallible! Both road maps and satnavs need updating, just like our inner ‘maps – as familiar routes and landmarks are bypassed or demolished.
When we’re lost, we can wait for help and ask for directions … and we can remember that we’re in good company. Barbara Taylor Brown writes in ‘An Altar in the World’: Finding the Sacred Beneath our Feet’ about ‘The Practice of Getting Lost.’ She reminds us from Hebrew scripture that “God does some of God’s best work with people who are truly seriously lost.”
Abraham and Sarah, in old age willingly set off for a strange land “equipped with nothing but a promise”…. Their descendants, rescued from slavery in Egypt “needed 40 years in the wilderness to learn the holy art of being lost” … The prophet Elijah lost and despairing in the desert, heard the still small voice of God… Jesus of Nazareth spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his ministry …. In Celtic Christian tradition, getting lost was actively encouraged. ‘Perigrinatio’ meant leaving ones’ homeland and wandering for the love of Christ. Celtic saints set forth in small boats called coracles, without oars, rudders, or a clear destination – trusting the ‘currents of divine love’ to take them where they needed to be.
Getting lost may lead to new discoveries and serendipitous encounters, but we need to be willing to leave safe paths. Barbara Taylor Brown, observing the predictable behaviour of the herd of cows she shares her land with, in rural Georgia, writes: “With a hundred acres at their disposal, they had worn narrow paths to their favourite watering holes, shady spots… When they wanted to get from one place to another, they lined up single file and followed the tracks they had made…. some no more than 8 inches wide.
Barbara Taylor Brown realised these cattle tracks marked the shortest route from A to B – and that she too, took the shortest route, when driving or running errands. Perhaps most of us do? Brown decided to override this default behaviour by deliberately taking detours. In her words:
“Leaving the known path turns out to be a boon to my senses – a remedy for my deadening habit of taking the safest, shortest route – the liberating proof I am still able to leave the thin paths I have worn out with my frugal, fearful hooves… If you do not start choosing to get lost in fairly low risk ways, how will you manage when one of life’s big winds knocks you clean off your course… literal lostness is a good place to begin since the skills are the same: managing your panic, marshalling your resources, taking a good look round to see… what this unexpected development might offer you.”
Though I’m not a natural wanderer, during lockdown I took to walking a few streets near my home whilst ringing the changes – taking a short cut down an alley, walking the same route in reverse, simply slowing down and being mindful. With the right intention, the shortest stroll can become a mini pilgrimage or ‘shamanic’ walk’; where something as simple as a flower growing from a crack in the wall, can offer wisdom for our lives. A not-for-profit venture called ‘Street-Wisdom’ offers a secular equivalent, with the premise that “the street is an invisible university, if you know how to look.” https://www.streetwisdom.org/
Inspired by this concept, me and Rob offered our own version at FUSE (Festival of Unitarians in the South East). In Worthing, just before Covid struck, we invited people to wander the streets and sea front, asking them to hold an intention or question in mind, and be guided by intuition. I took a stroll – pondering what I’d been reading on ‘the wisdom of the heart’ and how this might play out in my life and ministry. Having almost got blown over on the beach, I sought shelter in a park. I encountered a friendly squirrel… then a woman appeared and offered me a knitted heart! She was part of a church group ‘spreading love’. After my musings on the heart, her gift felt touchingly serendipitous.
On our return, we shared our stories. A teacher, pondering if his vocation had been worth-while, had ambled into a coffee shop, where a woman came up who turned out to be the mother of a former pupil. She told him what a positive influence he’d been for her son, and still was, years later. The chances of that teacher meeting the mother of an ex-pupil miles from home, and hearing a message of encouragement he needed, was a powerful reminder of how the divine can find us – when we let go our fixed agendas.
So, in the coming days and weeks, when you feel lost without clear direction – remember the advice of Ferguson the Ranger: don’t panic, stand still, trust that help will come. Remember Bill Bryson: find yourself a travelling companion – you don’t have to do it alone. Remember the Celtic saints: let yourself be guided by the currents of Love. Remember the words of Joseph Campbell: “Unless you leave room for serendipity, how can the divine enter in? The beginning of the adventure of finding yourself is to lose your way!”
We all get lost, but as Barbara Taylor Brown reminds us, “Others before you have found a way in the wilderness, where there are as many angels as wild beasts, and plenty of other lost people too. All it takes is one of them to find you. All it takes is you to find one of them. However it happens, you could do worse than to kneel down and ask a blessing.”
And perhaps even us timid folk can sometimes dare to wander off the beaten track – taking ‘the road less travelled by’ – and opening ourselves to the blessings that await….
To conclude with words of Moya Cannon:
Some of what we love we stumble upon—
a purse of gold thrown on the road,
a poem, a friend, a great song.
And more discloses itself to us—
a well among green hazels,
a nut thicket —
when we are worn out searching
for something quite different….
Hymn 295 (grey): ‘Sing Out Praises for the Journey’
Thanks Sheena. Time for our last hymn, number 295 in the grey book, ‘Sing Out Praises for the Journey’, it’s not one we sing often, but it’s a lovely tune, so let’s give it a go and sing up as best we can. I’ll ask George to play the tune in full before we sing. The words will be up on your screen too.
Sing out praises for the journey,
Pilgrims, we, who carry on,
Searchers in the soul’s deep yearnings,
like our forebears in their time.
We seek out the spirit’s wholeness
In the endless human quest.
Look inside, your soul’s the kindling
Of the hearth fire pilgrims knew.
Find the spirit, always restless,
Find it in each mind and heart.
Touch and hold that ancient yearning,
Kindling for a new found truth.
Stand we now upon the threshold,
Facing futures yet unknown.
Hearth behind us, wayside hostel
Built by those who knew wild roads.
Guard we e’er their sacred embers
Carried in our minds and hearts.
Sharing of News, Announcements, Introductions
Thanks to Sheena for being our guest preacher today. Thanks to Jane for tech-hosting and Liz for co-hosting (a last-minute stand-in). Thanks to George for lovely music. Thanks Juliet for greeting and Marianne for doing the coffee. For those of you who are here in-person, please do hang around for a cuppa and a chat and some pear and ginger cake after the service – it’s served in the hall next door. If you’re joining us online hang on after for a chat with Liz.
We have various small group activities throughout the week. Heart and Soul is back this week, this is our contemplative spiritual gathering online, it’s a great way to get to know people more deeply. Send Jane an email if you want to sign up for Sunday or Friday at 7pm. The theme is ‘Small Acts’.
Looking further ahead the in-person poetry group will be back on Wednesday 6th September – this is a lovely chance to bring along your favourite poems to share – speak to Brian to find out more.
Next week, on 3rd September, we’ll be having our ‘Gathering the Waters’ service – this is a traditional ‘regathering’ after some of us have been gallivanting over the summer months – if you’ve collected any water from your day trips and holidays please bring it along (if not you can always bring some from your kitchen tap instead). Jane will be leading the service next week.
Details of all our various activities are printed on the back of the order of service, for you to take away, and also in the Friday email. Please do sign up for the mailing list if you haven’t already. The congregation very much has a life beyond Sunday mornings; we encourage you to keep in touch, look out for each other, and do what you can to nurture supportive connections.
I think that’s everything. Just time for our closing words and closing music now.
Benediction: based on words by Cliff Reed
In company we make a pilgrimage, to places hallowed by our journeying and by our sharing along the road.
As paths meet and merge and separate then meet again, may we be conscious that through space and time we travel in a mighty company, the cavalcade of humankind.
The quest is to a fabled goal that few may reach, and yet their vision leads us on – through a landscape of wonders. Let us notice these wonders, open up to their message and, maybe, by unexpected routes, we will attain to more than we ever dreamed.
May it be so for the greater good of all. Amen.
Closing Music: F. Liszt: adaptation of Vallée d’Obermann from Years of Pilgrimage (played by George Ireland)
Rev. Sheena Gabriel and Jeannene Powell
27th August 2023
