National Youth Pilgrimage to Walsingham

“yeah, it’s a long way, but when we get there it’s such a laugh”

Imagine camping for a week with nearly a thousand other young people
Imagine joining in worship which is both traditional and yet radical, new and exciting
Imagine praying and playing, eating and dancing, sporting and laughing with your friends and making new friends from all around the UK
Imagine visiting somewhere which for more than 950 years has been one of the most special sacred places in England

The National Youth Pilgrimage has become one of the highlights of the Church of England’s year: a diverse gathering of young people from across the UK camping together (but better than just being in a field – there are showers and proper toilets!) and sharing a special week.

There’s a cool café to hang out in, Mass each day in a Big Top with the amazing band CJM, Bishop Lindsay’s Bible Studies, BBQ & Disco to open the Pilgrimage, and a last night disco and karaoke; an amazing and powerful All-Night Liturgy in the middle of the week, and a great Workshop afternoon with crafts, dance, sport, drama, music with CJM – and inflatables!

This year’s theme is a nod towards our Swedish friends as well as prayer in a Pilgrimage called “ABBA Father”, so expect a few Eurovision Classics alongside cool liturgy, worship and explorations of the many different forms of prayer… and what does that prayer Jesus taught us actually mean?

Last year the theme was based on Dr Who and it was amazing

Exeter Pilgrims leading Worship

Worship in a Big Top

Walking the Holy Mile, as Pilgrims have done for centuries

Practical Stuff

When is the Pilgrimage?

We leave early on the morning of Monday 27th July and get back late on Friday 31st July. It’s the first week of the Summer Holidays… The Plymouth pilgrims will spend Saturday 25th and 26th in Teignmouth before joining the Pilgrims from Exeter, leaving quite early on the Monday morning and we hope that other young people from across the diocese will come & join us.

How much is it?

The cost of the whole week, including transport and food is only £120, which is a real bargain! We do need a £10 deposit to secure your place, and it would be great if payment is complete before the middle of July.

Where is it again?

It’s a small place in Norfolk called Walsingham. It is a long way away, but the journey itself is part of the Pilgrimage and such a lot of fun

Who’s Going?

We are a group made up of a number of Parishes from across Devon, from Plymouth to Exeter and all points in between. Come with a friend or two, or come and make new friends. The group is led by Fr. Robin Eastoe and his daughter Alice (who spent a whole year working with young people at the Shrine giving a Year4God). There are other Church youth leaders on the team and everyone has the appropriate training and CRB paperwork so you can be safe and well looked after.

What will I need?

You’ll need a tent, some wellies (it rains almost as much in Norfolk as it does here!) and some party clothes besides your normal clothes. We often go to the beach which is very nearby, and so you might need swimming gear. There is also the final night Eurovision ball, so you might want to pack your tuxedo or ballgown as well. There’s a Café selling everything from the most tasty Hot Chocolate in Europe to enough chocolate to give you the energy to give you that X-Factor.

A full kit list will be available closer to the time. We will need to know your T-Shirt size before the 8th July to get you a T-Shirt

Okay, I’m interested… How do I book

Why not complete the consent forms attached and send them to either:

Fr. Simon Rundell SCP	Fr. Robin Eastoe SSC
S. Mary the Virgin, Bickleigh	S. Michael & All Angels, Heavitree
The Vicarage	The Vicarage
33 Leat Walk, Roborough	10 Victoria Park Road
Plymouth, PL6 7AT	Exeter, EX2 4NT

Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage 2015