I had the honor and blessing of participating in a youth pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in July and August. The trip was sponsored by Kanuga Conferences and Province IV Youth Ministries. We spent two weeks learning, praying, reflecting, sweating, marveling, hiking, and drinking lots of water. (That's me in the middle on the right after hiking up The Masada!) As I reflect on the pilgrim experience I continue to realize a deeper and deeper appreciation for this time apart; this faithful journey into our religious history.

 

Our time was well spent as we were safely and knowledgably guided from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, the Judean Desert, The Galilee, the Dead Sea and more. Our course of study was offered by former dean of St. George's College in Jerusalem, The Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, and St. George's Canon Iyad Qumri, a certified guide. Former Archbishop Lord George Carey and his wife, Lady Eileen, were our spiritual guides. Cookie Cantwell, Province IV Youth Ministry Coordinator, assembled an outstanding team of adults who helped prepare, accompany, and care for us on the journey.

 

I will be assembling some guidelines for pilgrimages that I hope will serve as a helpful template for those of you who have planning responsibilities in this area. It truly was a fantastic experience that I trust will continue to resonate within my soul for a long time to come. Traveling to that holy cradle of the world causes scripture to come alive in a very different way. Our interactions with the people of the land expanded our cultural awareness and caused us to think as political and global citizens as well as compassionate Christians. Thank you Cookie, Kanuga, and Province IV!!!

 

Blessings,

Bronwyn

Bronwyn Clark Skov

Youth Ministries Officer for The Episcopal Church

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