SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE 2 - 5 MARCH 2009

An opportunity to experience the grace and majesty of the Murray River, and the meandering of the Goulburn River,as you walk and contemplate the beauty of God’s handiwork through Celtic Spirituality themes.

A CELTIC PILGRIMAGE AND SPIRITUALITY

Celtic spirituality both affi rms and challenges. It calls us to the solitary life with the question, “Unless we learn to live with ourselves, how can we live with others?” It resonates with the feeling of social instability and or alienation that permeates contemporary society. In the totality of the encounter there is dark as well as light, harshness and severity as well as beauty and tranquillity. Solitude is not idealized but recognized as a place or state of mind in which the individual is likely to encounter and be particularly vulnerable to dark forces and destructive invitations, as Jesus himself experienced in the wilderness of Judea immediately following his baptism. It is not the
solitude of escapism or self-preoccupation, but rather a solitude that “becomes a means of empowering and refreshing their engagement with the world.”

Throughout the time together in corporate gatherings, in quiet observation of the rivers and the forest and refl ecting on the divine
presence of God, it is our hope that you will take from the pilgrimage a sense of empowering and refreshing for re-engaging in
life in God’s world.

The Pilgrimage is encouraged by the combined churches of Echuca Moama.

This Pilgrimage is part of a Celtic Festival of music and dance being held in Echuca Moama from Friday 27 February through to 8 March 2009. The Festival will commence on Friday evening 27 March with a Gathering of the Clans Dinner. On Saturday there will
be a variety of activities culminating with a Twilight Concert. Sunday will be a continuance of the dancing and music
and featuring a morning open air ecumenical worship gathering. On Monday afternoon, those taking part in the Pilgrimage will be transported to the starting point for the fi rst overnight stop. The pilgrimage will be over the next three days fi nishing in Echuca for a
thanksgiving service and farewell.

On Sunday 8 March the Festival will conclude with a concert by the Australian Male Welsh Choir. Echuca is situated on the Murray River
approx 2½ hours drive from Melbourne at the cross roads of the Northern and Murray Valley Highways. It is easily accessed by bus or train. Apart from the Festival it offers many other historical and modern

THE PILGRIMAGE

Monday:
4.00pm assemble for transport to Morning Glory River Resort and Conference Centre.
6.00pm Dinner
7.30pm Celtic Spirituality, worship and preparation for Pilgrimage.

Tuesday:
7.00am Breakfast followed by devotion.
8.30am Transport to Barmah for meeting with Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Elders.
10.00am Walk along the Murray River to Morning Glory. Lunch will be provided along the way.
6.00pm Dinner at Morning Glory followed by a time of refl ection on the day’s walk.

Wednesday:
7.00am Breakfast and preparation for the walk.
8.30am Walk along the Murray River and the Goulburn River at River Bend Caravan Park. Lunch will be provided along the way.
6.00pm Dinner followed by refl ections of the day’s experience.

Thursday:
7.00am Breakfast and preparation for the day’s walk.
8.30am Transported to the starting point for today’s walk into Echuca. Lunch to be provided along the way.
3.00pm Arrive at Aquatic Reserve, Echuca for concluding time of worship with others from the local community.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Yourself and an openness to God’s delight.
Clothing, shoes and walking aids, suitable for bush walking and bathers for swimming.
Water containers and snacks for along the way.
Night time wear, toiletries and any medication.
Writing material. A hand book for the walk will be provided
Sleeping bag or sheets and pillowcase for Wednesday evening.

Transport will be provided from Echuca to Morning Glory and to River Bend for items you don’t need to take on the walk.

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