Oh Wow, Dave, I so love this, especially as it's about one of my favourite topics, 'Pilgrimage'! I did a similar walk with my walking friend Alie, in 2020, starting at Alnwick and finishing at Holy Island (that was part of St Cuthbert's Way). We plan to go again, as COVID restrictions meant that all buildings on the island were closed. We too got stuck in mud, followed the way-markers, and attempted to climb one of the refuge towers. It was covered with barnacles, as I recall, and very sharp on the hands. The climb down was much worse!
Another reason I really connect with this piece is because it calls us to 'put the ladder up' for others to climb. In teaching we called it scaffolding, where we provided a framework, which would help 'join the dots' of students' patchy learning. Although I'd always been aware of it, between 2012-2017I became adept at not only providing the 'metal structure', but also placing the 'wooden planks' along the whole scaffolding, so the students could crawl painfully slowly along , what to them was a very precarious climb, to the next 'handhold'.
As a follower of Jesus, who is passionate about transferring those skills into discipleship terms, I want to thank you for drawing our attention to this vital process. There's so much I could say, but I think you get my excitement ! Well done Dave, and I love hearing about the adventures with your friend David Bowden.
These are such good thoughts. The walk is probably my favourite in the world. It seeps with history. The scaffolding and framework comment is so key--- we need to help join the dots for this culture more than ever. I have a lot more thoughts on education, learning and discipleship I hope to explore in the future!
Thanks Don. One of the things I loved about St. Aidan was that he was a creative pioneer. He created a community that was so focussed on empowering creatives that it spawned the lindasfarne gospels - famous depictions of the Bible. Turns out you have to gather people, inspire creativity and then you see long term impact. That sounds a bit like pape commons right????
“Aidan would walk from one village to another, politely conversing with the people he saw and slowly interesting them in Christianity…” - I love this!!
Oh Wow, Dave, I so love this, especially as it's about one of my favourite topics, 'Pilgrimage'! I did a similar walk with my walking friend Alie, in 2020, starting at Alnwick and finishing at Holy Island (that was part of St Cuthbert's Way). We plan to go again, as COVID restrictions meant that all buildings on the island were closed. We too got stuck in mud, followed the way-markers, and attempted to climb one of the refuge towers. It was covered with barnacles, as I recall, and very sharp on the hands. The climb down was much worse!
Another reason I really connect with this piece is because it calls us to 'put the ladder up' for others to climb. In teaching we called it scaffolding, where we provided a framework, which would help 'join the dots' of students' patchy learning. Although I'd always been aware of it, between 2012-2017I became adept at not only providing the 'metal structure', but also placing the 'wooden planks' along the whole scaffolding, so the students could crawl painfully slowly along , what to them was a very precarious climb, to the next 'handhold'.
As a follower of Jesus, who is passionate about transferring those skills into discipleship terms, I want to thank you for drawing our attention to this vital process. There's so much I could say, but I think you get my excitement ! Well done Dave, and I love hearing about the adventures with your friend David Bowden.
These are such good thoughts. The walk is probably my favourite in the world. It seeps with history. The scaffolding and framework comment is so key--- we need to help join the dots for this culture more than ever. I have a lot more thoughts on education, learning and discipleship I hope to explore in the future!
Thanks Dave !
Thanks Paul!
Really lovely piece, Dave.
Thanks Don. One of the things I loved about St. Aidan was that he was a creative pioneer. He created a community that was so focussed on empowering creatives that it spawned the lindasfarne gospels - famous depictions of the Bible. Turns out you have to gather people, inspire creativity and then you see long term impact. That sounds a bit like pape commons right????
From their starting point, not yours. Well said! That is going to stick in my mind this week.
This is so important isn’t it! We have to start where others are.... kind of like Jesus 🤯
“Aidan would walk from one village to another, politely conversing with the people he saw and slowly interesting them in Christianity…” - I love this!!
Amazing... and think how his slow secure approach has revolutionised Britain!