The local Church Action on Poverty group in Sheffield will be holding their seventh annual pilgrimage on Saturday 10 October. This annual walk is a chance to discover inspiring church projects working to support their local communities.
We asked the group to share their plans for 2015.
This year sees the Pilgrimage heading to the south of the city, starting and finishing at St James’ Norton, completing a circular route through the neighbourhoods of Norton, Batemoor and Lowedges. Along the way pilgrims will visit church projects making a real difference to their local communities, such as Grace Food Bank, which not only provides food but also hosts cookery classes, and the Terminus Initiative, a community café and food growing project that supports vulnerable people including asylum-seekers, drug users and people with mental health needs. Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley, will join the pilgrims for lunch and a discussion at St Peter’s Church, Greenhill. The Pilgrimage will end with a gentle stroll through Graves Park where pilgrims can reflect on what they have witnessed.
In previous years, these Pilgrimages have offered an enjoyable walk, friendly company and an opportunity to learn about how Christians are working within their communities to make Sheffield a better and fairer place. Paul Blomfield MP (Sheffield Central), who joined the Pilgrimage in 2011, commented “These Pilgrimages are important as they help to raise awareness about poverty.” Other pilgrims have said that the Pilgrimages “have been excellent and thought-provoking”.
All are welcome to join us on the day. The pilgrimage begins at 9:30am and will be finished by 3:00pm. The route is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, there are plenty of opportunities for toilet stops, and refreshments will be provided along the route. There is a lunch stop, but please note food is not provided so bring along a picnic lunch. Our walk is not sponsored but we would encourage pilgrims, if they so wish, to make donations to any of the places we visit. As our walk includes a food bank we would also ask that pilgrims consider bringing an item of food to donate.
We anticipate this event to be a hopeful and inspiring experience and an opportunity for discovery and fellowship.
To join the pilgrimage please contact Sarah Baker: sarahbaker17@live.co.uk or 07949 682 050.
