Purpose of the Pilgrimage:<o:p></o:p> - To explore other traditional and alternative ways of worship in the places where they’ve originated
- To learn about the history of the Christian church, with some emphasis on Anglican sites
- To take a spiritual journey by thinking about the historical sites and the worships that we attend
Age Requirements:This pilgrimage is intended for young adults between the ages of 18-30 years of age. There will be some space for adults ages 30+. The nature of this journey requires responsible individual decisions, physical activity and adherence to an itinerary.
Individual Planning for the Pilgrimage:<o:p></o:p>
- Passport: In order to enter the U.K. and France you will need a valid passport. It is your responsibility to get one ASAP. It can take up to 4 months to get a passport issued. Applications are available from your Post Office.
- Health Insurance: It is imperative that you get coverage for the time you are out of the country. This can be purchased a month or so prior to the pilgrimage when all the details regarding dates are ironed out.
- Luggage: There will be a considerable amount of foot travel (up to 1km at a time). It is strongly advised that you look into either purchasing/borrowing a good solid backpack. This too is not urgent, but something to think about.
- Cost: I’m sure this is uppermost in your mind. Details are just beginning to be worked out and these costs are tentative. We are subject to the rise and fall of the dollar against the pound and euro, so these are just estimates. And do not include amounts that you will want for spending money or travel extras. The projected costs are: Age 18-21 $2000
Age 22-25 $2200
Age 25+ $2500
I am doing as much as possible to keep costs down and there are many factors in figuring out prices. To help with any amount over $2000, we will fundraise and apply for grants. A good thing about planning this far in advance is that everyone has at least one birthday and Christmas before the journey… get the word out that you are saving for this.
Travel: <o:p></o:p>
· Tickets for an individual right now are between $850-950. I will be looking into buying group rates to land in Glasgow and leave from London when the numbers are figured out. The cost of the tickets are most likely going to decline by approximately $75.
· Britrail 8 day pass $300.
· Ferry costs $50
· Coach to Taize $100
Accommodation:<o:p></o:p>
Young Person (18-21) and Low Income Rate $235.
Adult $491.<o:p></o:p>
- 2 Nights in Carlisle $100<o:p></o:p>
- Week 2 : Oxford $200<o:p></o:p>
- Week 3 : Taize $100<o:p></o:p>
- Additional night in London: $60
Itinerary (tentative)<o:p></o:p>
· August 5th Evening departure from Pearson Airport
· August 6th Morning arrival in Glasgow. Train from Glasgow to Oban. Ferry from Oban to Mull, Coach across Mull to Iona ferry. Check-in at Macleod Centre. We will spend close to a week on Iona; taking part in the worship life at the abbey, taking part in a round the island pilgrimage, and just plain “hanging out”. Life on the island is simple and quiet, with plenty of time to contemplate the carved stone Celtic Crosses, the ancient buildings and monuments…
· August 12th Most of the day will be spent travelling from Iona to Oban and then to Carlisle where we will stay for two nights. We will take in opportunities to see Hadrian’s wall, visit the Carlisle Castle and Cathedral.
· August 14th Travel to Oxford, where we will spend close to a week, taking day trips to London, Canterbury and a few other places, as well as having some individual time.
· August 20th Spend all day travelling to Taize.
· August 21st Arrive in Taize, near Lyon France. Taize was set up by an ecumenical group of Brothers after the Second World War to be a community of reconciliation. It has grown into a world-renowned centre of pilgrimage famed for its contemporary music and liturgy. The program for the week consists of Morning and Evening worship and hanging out with 5,000-6,000 young adults from all over the globe.
· August 28th Depart Taize
· August 29th Arrive in London
· August 30th Depart for Toronto
· August 31st Arrive in Toronto
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N.B. We may be travelling from Paris instead of London. This may make it easier/cheaper… we will see.
