By Kate Gerrish

The Academic School of Nursing in Nazareth is currently marking its centenary, and what better way to commemorate this remarkable achievement and invest in the future of the nursing profession in the region than to raise funds to support student nurse scholarships? And so, during the first week in May 2025, a group of pilgrims comprising existing and new supporters of the Nazareth Trust embarked on a five-day sponsored pilgrimage traversing the beautiful countryside of the Peak District National Park in central England. A core group of four completed the whole pilgrimage with a further 12 pilgrims joining for between one and four days.

We followed the established Peak Pilgrimage route, starting at the village of Ilam and ending at Eyam, known as the ‘plague’ village, as it was here in the 1650s that the villagers sacrificially self-isolated to prevent the spread of the plague to neighbouring villages: as a result, over one third of the village population lost their lives. The 35-mile route took us along footpaths, disused railway lines, and quiet country lanes, linking churches in 12 picturesque villages. True to its name, there were peaks to climb, but also beautiful river valleys to explore and open vistas of rolling countryside. We took the opportunity as we walked through the parkland of the Chatsworth Estate to visit the impressive house and gardens. We could see why Chatsworth House provided Jane Austen with the inspiration for Mr Darcy’s Pemberley estate in Pride and Prejudice.

Our purpose was not just to raise funds for the School of Nursing, but also to engage as pilgrims on a spiritual journey to a holy place. A pilgrimage has three parts – the journey, the destination, and the return home. As we journeyed each day, we sought to let go of normal routines and be more open and receptive to God. We were blessed with sharing fellowship with each other as we walked, and in developing new friendships as people joined for different days. Our smallest group was five, and the largest, on our final day, comprised 12 pilgrims.

We visited 12 churches along our route, each one providing a Bible verse to reflect upon and a stamp to collect in our guidebook. We took the opportunity each day to share a group reflection and sing a song of praise in one of the churches we visited that day.

When we arrived at our final destination of Eyam church, we were met by the Reverend Bob Jackson, the retired vicar of Eyam, who had developed the Peak Pilgrimage route and written the guidebook. He reminded us of the opportunity we had to meet with God in the thin space between heaven and earth, and led us in a heartfelt rendition of the hymn ‘How great thou art’. Bob also reminded us that as we returned home to our daily lives, we should reflect on how our experiences of the pilgrimage had impacted us.

Whereas the pilgrimage was a spiritual journey and at times a challenging walk, it also provided the opportunity for a holiday, enjoying each other’s company, rejoicing in the beauty of God’s creation, and sampling the hospitality of cafes along the route. Our spiritual encouragement as a whole can be summed up by a blessing from Milldale Chapel:

As the hills cradle the valley floor, so may you be sheltered in God’s love for you.

As the river moves ever onwards, so may you go forward in your journey of faith.

As the moorland flowers flourish brightly, so may you show God’s joy to those around you.

May the God of all grace, light, and life, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you always. Amen

The second edition of our quarterly review is out now.

You can read about the miracle of the 100 day-old twins, our Neonatal Unit ranking first in Israel and our infection rates being lowest, as well as a look back at Easter at the Nazareth Village.

Download the June 2025 Quarterly Review:

Christ is Risen

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So, they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28: 1-10

And so, our journey as Pilgrims of Hope in the footsteps of Jesus culminates at a place of death-defying hope and joy – an empty tomb near the place of Jesus’ cruel death by crucifixion outside the city walls of Jerusalem!

Though the Gospel writers present different accounts of this life-changing event, the facts they present from the eyewitnesses are consistent and present compelling evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead as foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures and believed by millions of Christ followers throughout the centuries – including us today! It is therefore not surprising (although perhaps not anticipated by many) that a record number of adult baptisms took place in France at the Easter Vigil this year with some estimates as high as 17 800 people expressing their faith in Christ, our crucified and risen Lord!

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is without doubt the most dramatic event in human history and represents the decisive action of God concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord – see Romans 1:3-4! The resurrection of Jesus is not a resuscitation, but the revitalising of his physical body by the power of the Holy Spirit into an imperishable and immortal spiritual body through which he became a life-giving spirit as Lord of an endless life, and the first fruits of those who have died.

It represents God’s vindication of the sacrifice of his Son as the innocent Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world who as the crucified and risen Messiah of Israel has conquered death and the grave and opened the way for humanity to enter life eternal through faith in his atoning sacrifice.

The empty tomb therefore does not represent the end, but the beginning, of our pilgrimage of hope and as Easter people, we are a people of hope with a message of hope who are called to participate in the cruciform pattern of life of our crucified and risen Lord as we anticipate the coming of his Kingdom of righteousness, justice, peace, and joy! As we prepare and wait patiently for the coming of our King, let us again hear the words of the Church father Cyprian as he sees the crumbling of the Roman Empire and brings these words to God’s people: “Let us stand upright amid the ruins of the world, and not lie on the ground as those who have no hope.” [1]

Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Questions:

1. What does the resurrection of Jesus from the dead mean for you this Easter?
2. How can you give expression to the hope that is ours who believe amid the despair and distress in the world and our daily circumstances?
3. What does participation in the cruciform pattern of Christ’s life require of you to experience the joy of transformation in Christ?

Easter Prayer:

God of life, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power of our enemy, death: grant us to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life and the hope of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Risen Lord, Amen!

[1] Quoted by Meba Maggay in her book Transforming Society, Regum Lynx, 1994, p. 108

Lent 5: The Cross of Christ

Christ has Died!

‘For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’

Romans 5:: 6-8

Our Pilgrimage of Hope in the footsteps of Jesus up to Jerusalem reaches its climax on a hill outside the city where Jesus is crucified between two criminals after been betrayed by one of his close disciples and abandoned by the rest, then reviled and mocked by the Jewish leaders and handed over to the Roman governor for a mock trial and scourging at the hands of the Roman soldiers.  The physical agony of death by crucifixion was compounded by the spiritual agony of bearing the sins of humanity upon himself as the Paschal Lamb of God who knew no sin but was made sin by God so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him – see 2 Corinthians 5:21.

This is why the Cross of Christ is the central focus of our faith as Christians and of the Great Thanksgiving at the start of the Eucharist as we remember with profound awe and gratitude the death of Christ for our salvation and the life of the world! It is also the central focus of the Hebrew Scriptures as the Law and the Prophets pointed towards the coming Messiah as both the Suffering Servant of Yahweh and the King of Glory – Son of Man and Son of God!

As those who look back to the suffering and death of Jesus on the Cross with thanksgiving, we must not forget the utter devastation and despair that his meant for his disciples as they witnessed his brutal and shameful death. After having abandoned their livelihoods and families and followed Jesus of Nazareth whom they believed to be the long-awaited Messiah for close to three years, their hopes and dreams of the inauguration of the Messianic age were shattered by the brutal execution of Jesus on a Cross.

In fact, the level of anguish and disillusionment is so deep that they struggle to believe the astounding news from the women that Jesus had risen from the dead after they visited the tomb where he was buried on the third day! Jesus must again chide them for their unbelief and explain the Hebrew Scriptures about himself to them which reveal why it was necessary for the Messiah to first suffer before entering his glory.

As we meditate on the suffering, death and glorious resurrection of Christ in this Easter season, let us be people who fully appropriate and appreciate God’s gift of salvation for us by faith and live for His praise and glory in a dark and despairing world.

Questions:

1. What does the death and resurrection for Jesus Christ mean for you this Easter season?
2. As you mediate on the Cross of Christ again, how can you nurture and develop the virtues of gratitude and humility in your life? How will you give expression to these two fundamental virtues in your life?

Prayer:

Almighty and Everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection: through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Following in the Footsteps of Jesus up to Jerusalem

A Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope

The following reflections are offered as an accompaniment to the short video clips we have produced for our Lenten journey this year for those who want a more in-depth meditation on each stage of this journey!

Lent 4 – Palm Sunday

God has a purpose for everyone

When we read about Palm Sunday in Mark 11: 1-10, we see Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt. Let’s look together and see what we can learn about how God works.

• The colt is unsuitable for the task. It has never been ridden or trained or tested. It is likely to do the wrong thing and there are many other animals who would seem much more suited to this task, with experience, strength, and all the equipment needed.
• The colt is wanted by Jesus. Although it is young, inexperienced, looked down on and potentially not strong enough, Jesus wants it and explains this to the owners. He has a purpose for this colt, which is beyond what everyone else sees.
• The colt needed to be equipped. We see how the colt had no saddle for Jesus to sit on, but the disciples gathered around to put their cloaks to make a saddle and put palm leaves and clothes on the ground to prepare the way. If we are to fulfill God’s purposes for our lives, a supportive community around us can equip and support us.
• The colt did what it couldn’t possibly do. It carried Jesus calmly and peacefully, even though it was in a completely new and challenging situation. When we are obedient, God gives a peace which goes beyond our circumstances. The colt should have thrown off the rider or tried to, but with the call of God and the support of others, it could do the impossible.

Let’s remember this colt as we listen for God’s purpose in our own lives and the lives of others. That with God nothing is impossible.

Mark 11

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

⁴ They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵ some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷ When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[b]

¹⁰ “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Following in the Footsteps of Jesus up to Jerusalem

A Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope

The following reflections are offered as an accompaniment to the short video clips we have produced for our Lenten journey this year for those who want a more in-depth meditation on each stage of this journey!

Lent 3 – Valley of Oppression and Instruction

And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.  And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”

And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9: 14-29

We continue our Pilgrimage of Hope following in the footsteps of Jesus in the Jezreel Valley below Mount Tabor. It is here after the glorious revelation on the mountain of transfiguration that the distressing encounter with a demonised boy outlined above takes place. It is recorded in each of the synoptic Gospels following Jesus’ transfiguration on a ‘high mountain’ before the eyes of Peter, James and John. This points to the importance accorded to this healing miracle by the Gospel writers, and the lessons for us as followers of Christ in the twenty-first century are equally important.

Lesson One –  Can we come down?           

It’s great to have spiritual revelation and times of blessing on the ‘mountain-tops’ with God and we need these experiences to sustain us spiritual journey. However, we cannot remain in these lofty places as this is not where the mass of humanity lives amid the pain and suffering of life.  We need to come down from our spiritual mountains to offer healing, hope and hospitality to suffering humanity in the valleys of despair that so many people are experiencing with the love and compassion of Christ.

Lesson Two – Living faithfully in a faithless generation

When Jesus determines the reason for the argument between the scribes and his disciples who remained in the valley while he was on the mountain of transfiguration, he issues one of the sternest rebukes recorded in the Gospels. We need to pay special attention to the things that cause Jesus to become emotional because such occasions are rare but instructive.

This time he expresses his anger at the scribes, his disciples, and those in the gathering crowd for their faithless hearts and attitudes which leads them to argue while a boy remains oppressed and tormented by an evil spirit. Our theological arguments are pointless and render us powerless and insipid in the light of manifest evil. Rather we are to be people of faith who base our lives on God’s faithfulness and act in the authority of Christ’s name to minister his healing grace to all those who are oppressed by the devil.

Lesson Three – All things are possible for one who believes!

Jesus responds very emphatically to the father of the boy when he expresses some misgiving about his ability to heal his son. “If you can!” he responds to his question, and then adds that “all things are possible for one who believes.” The father of the boy immediately cries out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,” which is the heartfelt cry of a man who has witnessed the torment his son has suffered from early childhood. The pain and suffering of close family members (especially when this is prolonged) often drains our faith and resilience. A prayer of lament expressing our pain and sorrow which ends in an appeal for help to believe is sufficient to move God to action in such circumstances.

Jesus responds to this prayer by casting out the deaf and mute demon and restoring the boy to life and well-being.

Lesson Four – Spiritual revelation must be accompanied by spiritual disciplines

In response to the question from the disciples in private as to why they could not cast out this demon, Jesus responds that “This kind cannot be driven our by anything but prayer” (and some versions include fasting). Spiritual revelation must always be accompanied by the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting and other disciplines such as study, meditation and service to others, to be able to exercise the authority of Christ in the moments of crisis we all face.

Questions:

• Do any of these lessons resonate with you in particular this Lent season? How do you plan to respond?
• Which spiritual discipline/s do you need to embrace this Lent season to make you for attentive and alert to the reality of evil in the world?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to you through your death and resurrection. Make us worthy partakers and ambassadors of your heavenly kingdom by exercising your loving authority to minster healing grace to those around us, and faith to believe and receive the grace and healing that we ourselves need to be restored to the fullness of life  that you  promised to all who believe in you. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Following in the Footsteps of Jesus up to Jerusalem

A Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope

The following reflections are offered as an accompaniment to the short video clips we have produced for our Lenten journey this year for those who want a more in-depth meditation on each stage of this journey!

Lent 2 – “Glory Revealed”