Pilgrims and Companions Journeying into 2025

The experience has been different for every participant, as it was meant to be. It has also been one of deepening faith and deepening companionship, as we hoped it would be. It is wonderful to see God working through the simplicity of this programme. 

The best way of finding out what the BCP involves and can offer is to talk with one of the Pilgrims or Companions who have been part of it over the past 3 years. They would be delighted to tell you about it, and I think, without exception, would urge you to think and pray about taking part.

Pilgrims come to this Programme needing nothing but themselves, just as they are, and wherever they are in their faith-life. There are no expectations in terms of knowledge or spirituality or experience. There isn’t even any prior reading assigned! God is drawing each of us on a faith-journey already, but sometimes it can be helpful to have an extra incentive to keep stepping forward; sometimes it can be good to have someone beside you as you choose directions; sometimes it can be helpful to pore over a map with a fellow-walker. The BCP is designed for all those things. As a Pilgrim, you will have a Companion come alongside you and match their steps and speed to yours, keeping you company as you walk deeper into the Light.

For Companions – those asked to walk alongside the Pilgrims – there’s a bit more preparation needed. For some, there are practicalities such as the whole world of planning and running Zoom conversations to get our heads around! For others, preparation involves finding 20 minutes to half an hour that can be committed and dedicated to their Pilgrim every week. For all of us there is always more to learn about walking alongside people in their journey of faith. 

This is a significant thing to be happening across our Diocese. It is not flashy or complicated; it is not a quick-fix for anything. What it is, is a recognition that everything of worth and depth and beauty in our lives is from God. It is a recognition that if we are to see ourselves and our world transformed, it can only happen when our lives are rooted deeply in prayer, the Scriptures, and the imitation of Christ.

And it is an act of faith. Here we are, God. Take us, shape us, make us into Your Kingdom people. 

Please contact Anne van Gend on enabler@calledsouth.org.nz if you would like to find out more or to be part of the programme next year. We need names in by 30 NOVEMBER so that we know how many Companions we will need, and can begin to contact them.

Have a look at our webpage...