A retired vicar set to lead a cycle pilgrimage
Retired vicar living in Pewsey, Robert de Berry, who will be eighty in June, is organising a bike pilgrimage to raise money for persecuted Christians. He is encouraging members of Salisbury Diocese to join or pray.
Starting on May 14 from North Foreland Point Lighthouse at Kent’s most easterly point, the journey will reach Lands End 1 June. It will resume 6 June from Truro and go via coastal churches back to Kent, finishing 25 June.
Forty five churches are hosting the cyclists, providing space and time for prayer and hospitality, including several within Salisbury Diocese: St. Pauls Church, Salisbury on 24 May and Reborne Community Church in Shelborne on 25 May. Over the weekend of 11 June, the cyclists are being hosted by Dorchester Community Church, and on 13 June by Lansdowne Baptist Church in Bournemouth. The cyclists would love to be joined for prayer and to hear about their cause. The pilgrimage is raising money for RELEASE INTERNATIONAL and Christian Solidarity Wordwide, two charities who work on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world. Speakers from both will be present at the prayer meetings.
Cyclists, who want to ride for the persecuted church, are being recruited for as many or as few days as any of them can manage. So far, the ranks include a retired dentist and his wife, a former BA pilot, retired clergy, workers in communications, an architect, a soil scientist, an events organizer, a marine engineer and several other professions. The team also have a number of back-up drivers from the Pewsey Vale, who will carry gear and provide refreshments at crucial points on the journey. A serious cause but hopefully lots of fun to be had too.
Members of churches are invited to ride with the group for a day in their area. They will be riding from Winchester to Salisbury 24 May, and from Salisbury to Sherborne 25 May.
Echoing the words of Paul when he was in prison, Robert hope the team can “devote ourselves to prayer, praying that the mystery of Christ may be proclaimed and that those in chains may be able to give clear Christian witness”.
If you have any questions, or wish to ride or pray at any point in the pilgrimage, please contact Robert De Berry at: robertdeberry42@gmail.com or on 01672 562907.
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