photo by Maksim Shutov on unsplash

What is a Pilgrimage? A pilgrimage is an intentional journey into an experience of unknowing and discomfort for the sake of stripping away preconceived expectations. The Latin root of the word pilgrimage, peregrini, means “strange” or “stranger.” The journey to become a pilgrim means becoming a stranger in the service of transformation (Christine Valters Paintner). While COVID didn’t come to us by choice, in times such as these, we have choices about how to respond to the current conditions of the world. These times offer a unique look at our world and ourselves, so it is a ripe time for pilgrimage.

A pilgrimage can be a physical journey . . . but even a physical journey of many miles is not a pilgrimage without the inner journey, which is the way of this pilgrimage series. The series is designed for individuals to set aside time for each retreat.

Two weeks after each retreat is published, Karen Hollis will host a zoom gathering where people can share about their experiences. The retreats will be published on the second Wednesday of May, June & July with zoom gatherings to follow.

The first pilgrimage, “Beginning” will be available for download on Wednesday May 12.  With the download, you will receive an invitation and zoom link for an online gathering with Karen Hollis, for Tuesday, May 25 at 7pm.  If you are unable to download, contact us at info@gabriolaecumenical.com. 

Walking” will be available for download June 16; zoom gathering June 29.

Coming Home” will be available for download July 14; zoom gathering June 27.

Rev. Karen Hollis has been the minister at Christ Church Gabriola and on the board of GES for over 3 years. She has served in a number of ministry contexts both in Washington State and British Columbia. She has been a spiritual seeker all her life and celebrates all the ways God shows up in the world and all the ways humans respond. 

Bookings

Bookings are closed for this event.