3.9.16

CELTIC PILGRIMAGE - 17th September to 23rd September 2017

This is now FULL - but to be put on the reserve list please let Simon know

A Celtic Pilgrimage with the Celtic Christianity expert David Cole and Rev Simon Tillotson, team vicar in Whitstable, Kent. This will be to Holy Island off the Northumbria Coast and also the Isle of Iona in Scotland.

 Holy Island (above) - also called Lindisfarne, is a few miles south of Berwick-Upon-Tweed off the coast of Northumbria

The Isle of Iona (below) is off the west coast of Scotland


We would start our pilgrimage by gathering on Holy Island on Sunday 17th September 2017 at 5pm though a number of us are travelling by public transport (train and taxi) and you are welcome to travel with us if that is convenient for you.

We will then be on Holy Island from Sunday evening to Wednesday morning - the programme is below.

We will move from Holy Island to Iona on the Wednesday of that week, either by car or train and of course boat. We would conclude after breakfast on Iona on Saturday 23rd September.

The Sunday start  to the week and Saturday finish will allow folk to travel on the Saturday 16th September and Sunday 24th September if they wanted to drive and stay overnight en route to the destinations (which is recommended especially for the return journey if coming by car, though those of us travelling by train will be returning by travelling all of the Saturday, back in Kent late evening.)

The teaching for the first half of the week on Holy Island will be delivered by the Celtic expert David Cole who will give talks about the Christian faith from a Celtic point of view and explain the significance of Holy Island to that heritage. David works as a full time teacher on Celtic Christianity leading retreats throughout the UK and abroad. He will be with us for the Holy Island part of the week.

The second half of the week on Iona will see the teaching delivered by Rev Simon Tillotson, team vicar of All Saints and St Peter's Whitstable. Simon has a degree in theology from Cambridge University and has been ordained for 22 years. He has a keen interest in Celtic Christianity.

The week as a whole will be led by Rev Simon Tillotson who is the organiser and who will lead the devotions and services of Holy Communion.


To find out about both these islands please visit these websites, but only after you have finished reading the information below.















We have already booked a hotel on each island. The hotel on Holy Island is now nearly full so any new pilgrims may possibly need to stay at a separate hotel and need to bear this in mind, though it may be that the last room will be available when you contact Simon (best by email at tillotsons@gmail.com).

Please liaise with Rev Simon Tillotson about also about accommodation and meal costs. A rough guide is £110 for a double room and £90 for a single room per night at the hotel with evening meals £20 a night and lunches at about £10 a head.

There is also a charge for David Cole's costs . You also need to factor in travel expenses to Holy Island, from Holy Island to Iona, and from Iona back home, and Simon can advise about this.

A lot of the costs are being paid in installments with deposits to the hotel which helps to cover the costs.

However, we believe the expense will be WELL worth it.

Keep reading below please....









To find out about David Cole's ministry please visit this website

http://www.waymarkministries.com/



We can learn a great deal from Celtic Christianity. It was largely responsible for the nurturing of Christianity in Britain through some of the darkest periods in the "Dark Ages" and many people argue it has special appeal in today's increasingly spiritually impoverished secular culture due to its emphasis on the importance of creation, the centrality of the Trinity (with its emphasis on community) and its beautiful use of liturgy....and in so many other ways besides.




Look forward to hearing from you. My email address is below or call me on 01227 272308.



Rev Simon Tillotson
The Vicarage
Church Street
Whitstable CT5 1PG






CELTIC PILGRIMAGE TIMETABLE





SUNDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2017

ARRIVE ON HOLY ISLAND AFTER 4.40pm NOT BEFORE AS TIDE PREVENTS TRAVEL BEFORE 4.40pm

5pm onwards – settle into Lindisfarne Hotel

6.30pm Evening meal

8pm Evening act of worship in meeting room - if it is available at this time
8.15pm introductory short talk about Celtic Christianity by David Cole

9pm Free time



MONDAY 18th September 2017

8.30am Breakfast
9.15am Morning act of worship in the meeting room
9.30am Talk by David at the same venue on Celtic Christianity
10.30am Walk to holy site on island with David Cole
12.30pm Back at lunch at hotel
2pm Free time
4.30pm Further talk by David at meeting room - followed by short time of prayer
5.30pm Free time
6.30pm Evening meal
7.30pm  Free time



TUESDAY 19th September 2017

8.30am Breakfast
9.15am Morning act of worship in the meeting room
9.30am Talk by David at the same venue on Celtic Christianity
10.30am Walk to holy site on island with David Cole
12.30pm Back at lunch at hotel
2pm Free time
4.30pm Further talk by David at meeting room - followed by short time of prayer
5.30pm Free time
6.30pm Evening meal
8pmpm  Holy Communion and address by David Cole






WEDNESDAY  20th September  TIDES ARE FINE TO CROSS IN MORNING

Travel day – timings to be confirmed – moving to IONA COMMUNITY

5pm onwards – settle into Argyll Hotel Iona

6.30pm Evening meal

8pm Evening act of worship in meeting room - if it is available at this time
8.15pm introductory short talk about Iona by Rev Simon Tillotson

9pm Free time





THURSDAY 21st  September 2017

8.30am Breakfast
9.15am Morning act of worship in the meeting room
9.30am Talk by Rev Simon Tillotson at the same venue on Celtic Christianity
10.30am Walk to holy site on island with Rev Simon Tillotson
12.30pm Back at lunch at hotel
2pm Free time
4.30pm Further talk by Simon at meeting room – followed by short time of prayer
5.30pm Free time
6.30pm Evening meal
7.30pm  Free time



FRIDAY 22nd  September 2017

8.30am Breakfast
9.15am Morning act of worship in the meeting room
9.30am Talk by Rev Simon Tillotson at the same venue on Celtic Christianity
10.30am Walk to holy site on island with Rev Simon Tillotson
12.30pm Back at lunch at hotel
2pm Free time
4.30pm Further talk by Simon at meeting room - followed by short time of prayer
5.30pm Free time
6.30pm Evening meal
8pm  Holy Communion and address by Rev Simon Tillotson



Saturday 23rd September 2017

Departure – times to be confirmed