First the “What”, then the “Why”!   After the pandemic, we are really glad to be getting pilgrimages with Coracle back up and running!  We are planning these now for 2024 and would love for you to consider joining us for one of these transformation travel experiences.  More information will be coming, but for now if you are interested in one or more of these pilgrimages, let us know what trip you’re interested in via email and we’ll be in touch with you!

• Guatemala and the US/Mexico Border–Spring
• Mt. Everest Base Camp trek, Nepal–May 5-19
• Maryland Slavery pilgrimage–Date TBD
• Virginia Slavery pilgrimage–Date TBD
• St. Cuthberts in England – June 23 – July 3
• Iona in Scotland – July 6 – July 12

That’s the What, here’s one of the Why’s:

One of the great joys for me over the past ten years has been embracing space for pilgrimage in the company of kindred spirits, both present and those who’ve preceded me.

I’ve long been captured by the tales of Patrick, Brendan, and Brigid; Columba, Aidan, and Cuthbert; Hilda and so many more.  They were eager to follow in the footsteps of the early disciples of Jesus and of the desert fathers and mothers.  They would inspire countless others in the centuries to follow.

They relished literally walking and traveling by boat with Jesus in the company of Anam Cara, soul friends.  Beginning in 2014 I have had the opportunity to walk in their footsteps in Ireland and then Scotland and Northern England.  I’ve followed Columba from Ireland to Iona and Aidan from Iona to Holy Island Lindisfarne and been nourished in the journey by the companionship of fellow pilgrims hungry to be with Jesus.

My heart is full of anticipation as I think of the opportunity to return to Iona and Holy Island next summer (2024) with those God is drawing to make the space in their lives to slow down and journey in God’s presence in the beauty of His creation.

Traversing St, Cuthbert’s Way to Holy Island offers the opportunity to walk at a leisurely pace amidst the beauty of the Scottish Borders.  A week traveling to and lingering on Iona offers the opportunity to settle into sacred community off the West Coast of Scotland.

Each of these pilgrimages offers extended time to slow down, bask in God’s presence, and come together with companions of the Holy Spirit as we embrace rhythms of prayer and conversation through the day.  Might God be stirring you to join us?  My spirit is quickened by Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s reflection that opens each month in Celtic Daily Prayer:

It is a difficult
lesson to learn today,
to leave one’s friends
and family and deliberately
practice the art of solitude
for an hour or a day
or a week.
For me the break
is most difficult…
And yet, once it is done,
I find there is a quality
to being alone that is
incredibly precious.
Life rushes back, into the void,
richer,
more vivid,
fuller than before!