Newark Congregational Church pilgrims walk from Navenby to Lincoln to promote the Inclusive Church movement
Pilgrims have taken part in a challenging trek to promote the church’s importance message of inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
The group, from Newark Congregational Church, walked the 11 miles from St. Peter’s Church in Navenby to Lincoln Cathedral, with the aim of not only enjoying the countryside, but to also have a time for reflection and to promote the Inclusive Church movement that the church is part of.
The Inclusive Church believes that anyone should be invited to worship in church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.
Six pilgrims walked the whole of the route, each wearing the specially designed Inclusive Church t-shirts, while others joined for part of the route.
The walk called in at seven other churches on the way through the Cliff Villages, and the group challenged itself to remain in silent reflection during one 1½ mile leg of the walk —with mostly successful results.
As the group arrived at St Michael’s Church in Waddington, no sooner had the walk leader commented on what a beautiful autumn day it was, than as they left, they opened the door to a thunderstorm but carried on to Lincoln in the rain.
Upon arrival at the Cathedral, the group received a great welcome and joined in with Choral Evensong at the end of the day, which Mark Taylor, minister of the church, said was “magnificent”.
“Everyone who took part in the walk said it was a wonderful experience,” he said, “We are already planning another pilgrimage next year.
“One of our main aims in undertaking the pilgrimage was to draw attention to the Inclusive Church Movement that we became part of last year.
“We are a church that celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. In particular we welcome people from the LGBT+ community. We were proud to wear our t-shirts to proclaim our message in the glorious setting of the cathedral.”