Summer 2011 saw the publication of a collection of essays on John Calvin, whose life and thought will be part of the theme of Pilgrimage 2012.
Edited by Richard Topping and John Vissers, Calvin @ 500 is a very readable collection of essays, that were originally given as papers in the Conference at St. Andrew’s Hall in September 2009, to honour John Calvin’s 500th birthday. Continue reading
Check out the “Resources” section for suggested reading and films to prepare for Pilgrimage 2012.
Programme leader, the Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton was recently appointed Archdeacon of Capilano by Bishop Michael Ingham. Now properly addressed as The Venerable, she is happy to be known as Lynne.
Page from 1613 Bible, from the exhibition of old and rare Bibles
Pilgrimage leader, Gerald Hobbs is having a very busy fall for the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, 1611-2011. He has spoken on the subject twice in Europe, at Cambridge and Strasbourg. Those of us living in BC have had the opportunity to hear Gerald lecture on the KJV at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Bible Society at Christchurch Cathedral in Victoria, and at the Vancouver School of Theology. He also spoke at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George.
Gerald gave the lecture for the official opening of the exhibit of rare and old bibles at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia. During the two month exhibition, Gerald gave personal tours through the collection of splendid artifacts brought together from public and private libraries within Vancouver.
The exhibit focused upon the striking trajectory from the Latin manuscripts of the Christian Bible still appearing in the late 1400’s, to the appearance of the King James Bible in 1611-13. Tracing the scholarship and the individuals whose religious beliefs drove them onward, often suffering great personal hardships, even death, through the items in the exhibition served to broaden our understanding as to who we have been, socially and religiously.
The 2012 brochure is now available for downloading. In claiming our spiritual heritage, Pilgrimage 2012 has a theme of Exploring the Reformed Heritage, in France, Switzerland and Scotland. Dates are July 2-22, 2012.
This journey is lead by The Rev. Dr. R. Gerald Hobbs, The Rev. Dr. Lynne E. McNaughton and The Rev. Dr. Roberta Clare.
The brochure is full of details on the trip and the leaders. Application forms can be downloaded on our Reserve page on the website.
Woldy Sosnowsky (pilgrim 2007) will be ordained Sunday October 2 at West Vancouver Presbyterian Church for appointment to the Presbyterian Church Salmon Arm. (Pilgrims are taking over Salmon Arm, as Juanita Austin is the United Church Minister there 
!) Gerald and Lynne have been invited to lead the Fred Kaan hymn “Let us Talents and Tongues Employ” at the service. Congratulations and best wishes for your new life, Woldy and Cathy!
One of our pilgrims, Bob Burton, from Winnipeg, documented his pilgrimage by sketching and painting along the way. He submitted this painting of the shore and skyline of Nice. 
At this point in a pilgrimage there are mixed feelings of satisfaction of an accomplishment, the appreciation of our own and other’s spiritual growth and the realization that we will not be this way again with our fellow travelers.
The past two days have been rich with a journey back to France to the Plateau d’Assy and a visit to the World Council of Churches in Geneva.
Eglise Notre-Dame de Toute Grace, Plateau d'Assy
Seeing the Invisible has been our theme for the past two weeks and we have been exposed to many sacred spaces that enhance the image of God’s presence, or as we learned on pilgrimage, glory is a synonym for God’s presence.
From the Plateau d’Assy one can see Mont Blanc Massif, the highest mountain in Europe. The weather was perfect with its brilliant summit visible for most of the day. We had come to see the Church of Notre Dame de Toute Grâce for the extraordinary art that was commissioned for the building.
Chagall Baptistry, Notre-Dame de Toute Grace
Christ aux outrages, G. Rouault
The church was consecrated in 1950 as a chapel to a sanatorium. A Dominican priest, Pierre Courturier, was convinced that religious art was staid and hearkened back to the 19th century and before. He had a vision of a church that would have 20th century art to exemplify the glory of God. Attempting to make a long story much shorter, it is enough to say that he had connections with some of the greatest artists such as Chagall, Rouault, Bonnard, Matisse and Lipchitz. These artists and others were commissioned to provide the decorations in this exquisite mountain chapel.
Notre-Dame de Toute Grace, Interior
When you enter the space, the impression is that it is a very dark space but as the eyes become accustomed to the light, the stunning stained glass, tapestry and tiled art come alive. I could write about each work but I will include a few photos instead.
The visit to the chapel made a nice book-end to the beginning of our pilgrimage, when we visited the Chagall museum in Nice.
Our final day was in Geneva at the World Council of Churches. Worshiping in the the space where so many Christians worship made me aware of the vast number of denominations and expressions of Christianity there are in the world.
Worshiping at the World Council of Churches
A Parting Pilgrim Blessing
Our final night party was a celebration with wit and wisdom of all we experienced together.
We wish all the pilgrims a safe journey home.
We left Autun for Geneva today via Fontenay Abbey and Chardonnay.
Fontenay Abbey was founded by a nobleman, Bernard of Clairvaux in 1118 and was active in the 12th and 13th centuries but plundered in the Hundred Year’s War. The site was plundered again in the 1600′s and was closed. The buildings fell into disrepair until it was bought in 1820 to be turned into a paper mill. The buildings were ultimately purchased by a wealthy family who restored the abbey allowing us to see the magnificent Romanesque buildings as they were when it was an active Cistercian monastary. Fontenay is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Fontenay Abbey Church, interior
Bernard de Clairvaux felt that there should be no added decorations to the buildings, that the simplicity and light was all that was needed to glorify and focus on God. The construction of the church was based on mathmatical principles. Walking through the abbey buildings, one could almost feel the Cistercians presence as they worshiped and worked. The light coming through the windows created patterns on the walls and floors, constantly changing with the movement of the sun.
Fontenay Abbey Church, Interior
On the way to Geneva we stopped in Chardonnay to taste the lovely white, red and bubbly wines of Burgundy.
Tasting at Cave de Lugny, Chardonnay
We are now at our final destination, Geneva, at the John Knox Centre. Our rooms are simple and adequate with forest behind the buildings. The centre is in a neighbourhood of large buildings belonging to major Non-Govermental Organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
Roman Wall (recontructed), Bribracte
Why Pilgrimage?
Lynne McNaughton and Gerald Hobbs presented a lecture that was a good reminder as to why one ventures out on pilgrimage. Lynne outlined the elements of pilgrimage which include a physical journey, undergoing an ordeal (No, the lack of good coffee doesn’t count!) chanting or singing creating a connection between the physical and spiritual and being in community, not just with those with whom we travel but also with those who have come before us and those who will be here after us. We are not alone on the journey. Pilgrimage becomes a lived metaphor that we can feel in our body, moving to new things, making transitions.
We visited the archaeological site of Bribracte,a large Celtic or Gaulish town on the top of Mount Beuvray in the heart of Burgundy. Julius Caesar completed the writing of his “Gallic Wars” while here. Bribracte was one of the most powerful Celtic cities at around 52 BCE. A few years after the Roman conquest, Bribracte was left in favour of the town of Autun 25 km away, where we are currently staying.
The site is immense, about 135 hectares and is only partially uncovered. It is in the midst of a beechwood forest and teams of archaeologists are continuing their work of discovering this very important Gallo-Roman site each summer season.
We reached the top of Mount Beuvray for a picnic with a splendid view of the valley below.
Pilgrims walking up Mount Beuvray
A picnic on Mont Beuvray
Cedric, our bus driver serving tea and coffee on board.
