MEETING OF CHURCH LEADERS ON THE PILGRIMS WAY

A very special moment happened at the end of August, as Rev John Huggins met to celebrate communion with Dave Cape and leaders from Pathways church at the Lenham chalk cross.

We have written in previous posts about how at Pathways Church, we have been involved in walking and praying with Dave Cape as he walks the Pilgrims Way between Winchester, Ramsgate, Canterbury and London.  This is happening between 25th August - 29th September.

​On the afternoon of 29th August, Dave and team reached the portion of the Pilgrims Way that passes along the North Downs above Lenham village.

As the team of walkers drew near to the cross, a heart-warming sight greeted them. A group of people could be seen walking up from Lenham Village to meet them on the way,  the people spread out like ants in a line across the field as they walked up the hill. Among them were friends from Pathways, Jubilee church, and Rev John Huggins from the Len Valley benefice. The timing was perfect, as all converged at the cross at the same time. 

The main purpose of gathering was to celebrate communion together, to remember Jesus and His love for everyone. We did this.  Rev Huggins led us in a prayer, and we shared in the bread and wine.​​  ​Afterwards Dave Cape knelt and washed the feet of both Dave Needham (from Pathways Church) and Rev John Huggins together in his bowl.  They each placed one foot in the bowl.  Then the act was reciprocated as they washed Dave Cape's feet.  Washing feet like this reminds us of the servant love of Jesus Christ, and how we can serve one another.

In centuries past, relations between the different church denominations in the community have sometimes been strained, and even hostile at times.  However in recent years, churches in the Len Valley (including Pathways and the Anglican churches) have developed good relations, and often help each other out, working together for the benefit of the community.

This act of washing feet together felt like a landmark moment; an affirmation of the unity that has been achieved, and drawing a line under any negatives of the past.  A day of hope for the future of the Len Valley.