CHURCH leaders laced up their hiking boots, hoisted their rucksacks and packed their laptops to publicise a unique ‘online pilgrimage' to the Holy Land, organised by the charity Christian Aid.
The Bishop of Chelmsford and three other bishops met leaders of the Methodist and United Reform Church outside Westminster Abbey under a sign pointing the way to Jerusalem and giving the address www.christianaid.org.uk/pilgrimage that is the gateway to this online adventure.
The virtual ‘Journey to Jerusalem' transports travellers from their inbox to the lands made familiar through scriptures and contemporary headlines.
Pilgrims will get the chance to watch short videos, photo galleries, read stories and pray in the places where Jesus preached.
They will also meet local Christians, Jews and Muslims living there today, hear their personal stories
and hear how the conflict touches the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians, and learn how hard many
people are working for peace.
The ‘pilgrims' included the Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Gladwin; the Bishop of Bath & Wells, Rt
Revd Peter Price; the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Tim Stevens; and the Bishop of Oxford, Rt Revd John Pritchard. The bishops were joined by Christine Elliot, the Methodist Secretary for External Affairs; the Revd Richard Mortimer, the United Reform Church General Secretary; and Baptist and Christian Aid Intercommunity initiative manager Nigel Varndell.
Christian Aid director Daleep Mukarji says: "This Lent we challenge you to go beyond hearing about the
people in the Holy Land and hear from them instead. Don't just pray for them, pray with them.
"If you can't go to Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territories yourself, go with Christian Aid on a virtual
pilgrimage.
"We want you to reflect, to learn, to listen and to allow your faith to grow through this very special experience."
‘Journey to Jerusalem' opens up the possibility of pilgrimage to those not able to physically travel but who are able to commit a few minutes each day to be inspired, and encouraged by the words of scriptures they will encounter and by the lives of contemporary peacemakers working to end conflict and violence in the Holy Lands.
"I would urge anyone with internet access to pick up their mouse, pack up their preconceptions and travel virtually with eyes and ears open ready to be changed and challenged by what they encounter," said Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford.
Lent begins on February 25. To sign up to a free online pilgrimage, visit www.christianaid.org.uk/pilgrimage
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