Presentation for Church Parish Councils
This section has an interview with a Church Warden of Dorstone Church, one of the first churches to cater for ad hoc overnight pilgrims, a slide presentation, and information that we hope is helpful to Church Wardens considering providing overnight sanctuary for pilgrims.
Walking as Worship; Churches as Sanctuaries
What are Church Sanctuaries for Pilgrims
Simple overnight rest stops for walking pilgrims. These consist of, (For one night only)
Place to unroll bed mat, in the church or church building (e.g. church nave, church hall adjacent or specially made bothy)
Access to a toilet (can be outside, can be compost toilet)
Access to drinking water
Nothing more ...
Why should churches offer sanctuary for pilgrims?
Because they can, in a way no other institution can
It will bring new people to the church, they will use the church in a different but still worshipful way
It is the chance for the church to give to people, walking is, always has been, always will be, very popular. The great problem for people wanting to walk for more than a few hours is where to say at night. B and Bs are expensive, beyond the reach of most, and anyway are few and far between. Churches are everywhere and easy to find.
The church will become more relevant than they already are to the health and well being of the people, in mind, body and spirit
If people use the church as a focus, they will come to see the whole landscape in the way the early Christians dis, as a manifestation of God in the world, it will expand their spiritual life
While the church cannot ‘sell’ accommodation within the church, some people will donate
The church can use the concept of sanctuary for pilgrims to obtain funding to install toilets (compost outside), water points and keypad locks which can be used for all church gatherings.
How can churches do this?
Tell your insurers what you intend to do, we have found premiums do not go up, but insurers want to know
Place a small notice in the church, for insurance purposes (see example Risk Assessment ). The notice to inform where lights are, toilet is, water is, when they must leave by, where to put the bed mats.
If the church is locked, provide a telephone number pilgrims can text – either to get the key, or for the code for a keypad lock (to a box to store church key, or door access to the church)
Let people know, put information on the website, this one, your own one, the Diocese one
Nothing more is necessary, but you can do more if you want. e.g. information about shops, pubs, places of interest, prayers, spiritual practices. Some churches provide bedrolls, camp beds, tea making facilities, but this is not necessary.
Are Churches Already Doing This?
Yes. The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way in west Herefordshire is a six day route which encompasses five over night stops in churches for pilgrims, where pilgrims can lay out their bed roll and sleep for the night (see description this site).
Doddington Church in Shropshire welcomes pilgrims.
There are many other pilgrim routes in the the UK. The Via Beata way has accommodated pilgrims in churches by pre-arrangement over its 340 mile route and is now working towards making this available to all. Watch this space.
Why is pilgrimage different to long distance walking?
Pilgrimage is carried out as a way of finding a deeper truth and meaning to life, of finding God (however s/he/it is conceived) in silence without the distractions of daily life and therefore done in a quiet contemplative way, allowing God to speak to the pilgrim. Many find God through walking in the landscape feeling the weather, earth, rocks, trees and the lives of people who live here now and before, whose lives shaped the fields and paths. Pilgrims broadly plan the route but let events, where to eat, to rest, meetings with others, happen
How can churches enable pilgrimage
Churches are central to our landscape, the first elements to be built as the country became Christian back in the 6th to 9th centuries AD. The local lord established a village unit and put the church in its centre, because it was a religious age and life was governed by God's laws. Every village in England has the church at its centre, generally you can walk from one to another in three hours or less, often you can see the next church in the distance. The church is the tangible presence of God in the landscape and in the history of the countryside.
Just being there, open to the pilgrim is the first way. Churches can also develop spiritual resources and practical resources.
Toilets
Outside toilets need both Planning Permission and Faculty Permission, even Portaloos. There is much advice available, in your own Diocese and elsewhere, but generally,
Place the compost outside toilet away from the church, not attached to the church
Compost toilets, e.g. Natsol, require two adjacent small pits, broadly 1 sq m x 0.6m deep, this may require an archaeological watching brief, a professional archaeologist may volunteer
Natsol cost about £5k, plus the building above
Church Walking Pilgrimages can donate £5,000 towards the cost of a toilet or other facilities to enable churches welcoming pilgrimages
Frequently Asked Questions?
Insurance: Will the premiums go up, how will it affect our insurance. Churches on the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way have found it has not affected the insurance. They are required to tell the insurers the new use of the church, and put a small notice (A5), stating location of lights, telephone number to contact if necessary (see example below).
Health and Safety: Place a small notice at the entrance of the church or church building, informing of location of light switch, toilet, a telephone number to contact. Do not lock the church at night (see example below)
Locks: If your church is locked, a keypad lock with information within of where the church key (if large) is stored or the key itself can be installed, at no great cost.
Cooking: No cooking to be permitted. Make this clear on the notice. Inform where food can be bought. A kettle for tea would be appreciated.
Booking: The spirit of pilgrimage is not to plan. If the church is locked a possible way to allow this is to have a keypad lock with telephone number to text or ring for the code. This also provides security of who is staying.
Safeguarding: Men and women who may not know each other will be in the church and possibly children. We do not want to exclude anyone, even unescorted children. As above, obtaining access by texting or phoning a number provides security of who is staying.
Rubbish: People always generate rubbish. Probably churches already have a policy on how to deal with rubbish. Clear signs on where to place it, and/or asking pilgrims to take it with them is advised.
Donations: Do not charge for the one night sanctuary, it is a chance for the church to give to the people and welcome them into the fellowship of Christ. However, many pilgrims will want to make a donation.