River of Life pilgrimage paddles its way down Connecticut RiverPosted Jun 29, 2017 |
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal pilgrims have reached Day 30 of their 410-mile journey down the Connecticut River, and social media dispatches from the River of Life pilgrimage show clear skies, peaceful water and a group determined to embrace the call to prayer as they clutch their paddles.
“Another blessed day on the CT River Pilgrimage,” Connecticut Bishop Ian Douglas tweeted as the group made its way into Massachusetts on Wednesday.
Another blessed day on the CT River Pilgrimage. #RiverofLife2017 #ECCT pic.twitter.com/IplLC7T9Zh
— Ian T. Douglas (@ctbishopian) June 28, 2017
The pilgrimage was conceived and developed by New Hampshire Bishop Robert Hirschfeld and the Rev. Stephen Blackmer of Church of the Woods in Canterbury, New Hampshire. It launched May 31 near the Canadian border as a collaboration of all Episcopal dioceses in New England, as well as the New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and several conservation groups.
The idea was a Christian pilgrimage on the river, from source to sea, that would incorporate references to its natural history, human history and cultural history.
The Pilgrimage is now more than a way to help a prayer life. With US out of Paris, the paddle down the CT is prophetic act. #RiverofLife2017
— Rob Hirschfeld (@NHBishopX) June 4, 2017
Community events will be held along the route, typically on weekends. A list of events and day paddles is available on the pilgrimage website. Pilgrims without a paddle or who live far from the Connecticut River still are encouraged to participate in the pilgrimage by following along as a “pilgrim in prayer” with the River of Life prayer book.
The following is a selection of Twitter dispatches from the pilgrimage.
"I arise today through…the swiftness of the wind, the depth of the sea." Prayer of St. Patrick #RiverofLife2017 pic.twitter.com/PVBMeOyz4a
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 2, 2017
These #Pilgrims have been paddling south from the headwaters! #riveroflife2017 @NHEpiscopal pic.twitter.com/OcakPS9Jx9
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 3, 2017
"Like the river, God's Spirit is always moving." @NHEpiscopal @EpiscopalVT @BishopVT10 @ctbishopian #RiverofLife2017 #pilgrimage pic.twitter.com/RJBM8S84LL
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 6, 2017
Yesterday's portage around Gilman Dam. We remember the good and the harm humans bring to the river #RiverofLife2017 pic.twitter.com/eWm3oPy2Tc
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 11, 2017
River pilgrimage takes paddlers on 400-mile spiritual quest (from @AP) https://t.co/3Js7GkGZj0
— Yuri Kageyama (@yurikageyama) June 13, 2017
"Baptism…isn't a one-time ritual of initiation, but a daily choice to live immersed in the river of God." #Riveroflife2017 pic.twitter.com/v48BNg4HjQ
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 15, 2017
Segment Three #pilgrims – a joyful group!! #RiverofLife2017 pic.twitter.com/oOldmVu5fg
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 19, 2017
Despite grey skies & downpours, these determined #pilgrims & colorful #canoes. find their way safely to shore #RiverofLife2017 pic.twitter.com/tA5I5kSu9I
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 20, 2017
Butterflies can be pilgrims, too (photo cred: Jonathan Eden) #RiverofLife2017 pic.twitter.com/DgF3XybjAI
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 21, 2017
15 paddlers on the river today! #Pilgrimage #RiverofLife2017 #canoe pic.twitter.com/kPM7bVGRwC
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 22, 2017
I was hoping to see an Eagle on @RiverofLife2017 CT River #Pilgrimage. Today we saw two! pic.twitter.com/MtftUm34lw
— Thomas Ely (@BishopVT10) June 23, 2017
All packed and ready to head out to join the CT River Pilgrimage. #RiverofLife2017 #ECCT pic.twitter.com/srSEFP8BYn
— Ian T. Douglas (@ctbishopian) June 25, 2017
"The springs of living water may be found within every human heart." #RiverofLife2017 @NHBishopX pic.twitter.com/9V8cHAHKgn
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 25, 2017
Practicing for the #RiverofLife2017 pilgrimage next week. #dryrun pic.twitter.com/OorbxR8Koh
— Nicholas Knisely (@wnknisely) June 25, 2017
Entering Massachusetts on the CT River Pilgrimage: "River of Life". A most meaningful retreat. #RiverofLife2017. #ECCT pic.twitter.com/WcXO2p0ZRJ
— Ian T. Douglas (@ctbishopian) June 27, 2017
#RiverOfLife2017 pilgrims landed in MA today! Folks from Church of Sts James & Andrew brought dinner 2 camp. #Episcopal @RiverofLife2017 pic.twitter.com/5TMPWanOCn
— Episcopal WMA (@EpiscopalWMA) June 28, 2017
A moment to extend a deep & heartfelt thank you to our river guides, Mark & Lisa, who have transformed a paddling trip into a pilgrimage! pic.twitter.com/MjEiYveNS6
— CT River Pilgrimage (@RiverofLife2017) June 27, 2017
#RiverOfLife2017 public events this week https://t.co/nDgwJ4bEYC pic.twitter.com/HdyFhGlcvf
— Episcopal WMA (@EpiscopalWMA) June 28, 2017
#RiverofLife2017 #ECCT pic.twitter.com/UexH4ln60J
— Episcopal Church CT (@EpiscopalCT) June 19, 2017
– David Paulsen is an editor and reporter for the Episcopal News Service. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.
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