Exploring Worship in Pilgrimage
Saturday 5 July 2025,
10.00–16.00, Exeter Cathedral sacristy.
Keynote Speaker: The Revd Helen Bent.
Helen has led many different pilgrimages in both city and rural settings, including Walsingham, Salisbury city centre, Dunblane Cathedral, village multi-church benefices and a pilgrimage tour of Angel Roof Churches in East Anglia.
Pilgrimage has been growing in popularity in recent years for those of faith and none. This ancient tradition resonates with the deep searching of the human soul and the human need for spiritual meaning in an increasingly unpredictable world. Both journey and destination can be significant. But what turns a walk into a pilgrimage? How does a physical pilgrimage relate to a spiritual journey of faith or the journey of life? And where does worship fit in?
Helen’s significant experience in liturgical teaching and training will assist us as we revisit the concept of pilgrimage, offering pilgrimage liturgies, poems, symbols and music. Come and experience worship in pilgrimage for yourself as we share a pilgrimage walk around Exeter city centre churches (0.4 miles), pausing to reflect and pray at strategic points. and discover resources to create a ‘worship pilgrimage’ round your own church or community.
Helen is author of Grove booklet W244, ‘Exploring worship in pilgrimage’. She is a respected author and speaker, who combines her love of worship with her knowledge of the Bible and church history. She also has a passion for mission and finding new ways of engaging with those on the margins of the church.
The fee for the in person event at Exeter is £20, or £15 for affiliates. Please contact Paul Kingdom (revpaulkingdom@gmail.com) to register your attendance.
Speaker
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Helen BentWorship Consultant for ‘Transforming Worship’Helen Bent is a Worship Consultant working with Transforming Worship and Associate Priest in the Walgrave Benefice, a group of four rural churches in Peterborough Diocese. Helen is a gifted
communicator, worship leader, musician and respected author. Over the past two years, she has been writing Beyond Consumerism worship resources for the Arthur Rank Centre, which supports Rural Christians and the agricultural community. Materials reflect on food production, sustainable agriculture, our carbon footprint, our care of the environment, and social justice. Helen is also a member of the Group for Renewal of Worship and a member of the Leading your Church into Growth national team.