Priest’s Triathlon Trail
The Revd James Stephenson celebrated his first full day as a priest by swimming, cycling and running nearly 100 miles to mark the launch of the new ‘Seeking Gold’ Pilgrimage in Dorset on Sunday (1 July).
The Revd James Stephenson sets off from St Wite's, Whitchurch Canonicorum
The diocesan team following him produced photo, movie and Twitter coverage.
YouTube footage here
The Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings, led short services at Whitchurch Canonicorum, Tolpuddle, Wareham and St Aldhelm’s Head. Local Christians joined Dr Kings as he walked the six miles along the Priests Way between Swanage and Worth Matravers, and then on to St Aldhelm’s Chapel.
Dr Kings said, “I have longed for such a Pilgrimage Trail in this area since I arrived. We have a rich Christian heritage, pre-dating the Reformation. It was wonderful to visit various churches in a day and hear of their plans to welcome Olympic tourists.”
He added, “Congratulations to Lavender Buckland, who devised the Seeking Gold Pilgrimage Trail brochure, and to James Stephenson, whom Bishop Nicholas and I ordained priest on Saturday."
Mr Stephenson said, “This isn’t the usual way to spend your first day as a minister, but it’s perfectly natural that I should bring my love of sport into what I do from the start. There are many similar values shared between sport and Christianity – respect, friendship and excellence to name but a few.”
The Seeking Gold Pilgrimage is timed to coincide with the 2012 Olympic Games, and gives visitors a chance to explore spiritual places of interest in Dorset. Attractions en route include Saxon wall paintings, a pulpit with bullet holes, Lawrence of Arabia’s grave and twelve life-size apostles.
Click here for the original ‘Seeking Gold’ story
ENDS
Notes
Three YouTube clips will be produced in total – the third clip will feature footage from members of individual churches en route.
Links
Gallery
YouTube Playlist (two short clips)
Twitter coverage
The ‘Seeking Gold’ page
Bishop of Sherborne
Further information
Contact Michael Ford, Communications Co-ordinator:
01722 438651, 07500 836989, michael.ford@salisbury.anglican.org
Document Actions