A Pilgrim Journey to the Isle of Man

As I prepare to leave St James’s Piccadilly for a new chapter as Rector of Ramsey and the North East of the Isle of Man, I find myself reflecting on how Christian vocation is so often shaped by pilgrimage — not just to holy places, but into new communities, landscapes, and ways of living God’s love.

The Isle of Man sits at the heart of the Irish Sea, a small but distinctive nation with a long and layered history. Shaped by Celtic, Norse and Christian traditions, it has its own parliament, Tynwald, the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, and its own language, Manx Gaelic. This year is especially significant, as it is being celebrated as the Year of the Manx Language — a sign of cultural renewal and hope, reminding us that God speaks through the particularities of place and people.

Spiritually, the island is home to the ancient Diocese of Sodor and Man, with roots reaching back to the early Celtic church. I am delighted to be joining the diocese at a moment of new leadership under Bishop Trisha Hillas, whose ministry brings wisdom, energy and a deep commitment to justice, inclusion and collaboration. Together with five churches across the parish, my hope is to nurture communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and confident in sharing God’s love in word and action.

One of the most striking features of the Isle of Man — and one that resonates strongly with the values we cherish at SJP — is its relationship with the earth. The island is the world’s first and only entire nation designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognising the balance between nature, culture and sustainable development across the whole territory — land and sea alike. From rugged coastlines and peatlands to rich marine habitats where seals, seabirds and even basking sharks are found, the island bears witness to creation’s beauty and fragility.

This designation also reflects human responsibility: a renewed commitment to biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, education, and the revival of Manx culture and language. Like all places, the Isle of Man faces environmental challenges, but it is precisely in these tensions that faithful, hopeful Christian witness matters most. I am excited to support the parish in becoming an Eco Church, and I very much hope for continued collaboration with the SJP Eco group — learning from one another as companions in earth justice.

The spirituality of the island is deeply marked by Celtic Christianity — attentive to landscape, hospitality, prayer on the move, and the nearness of God in ordinary life. There is a growing resurgence of pilgrimage and walking routes to ancient Christian sites, and I am especially looking forward to welcoming friends from St James’s for retreats and walking tours.

One such place in my new parish is Kirk Maughold, one of the most significant early Christian sites on the island. Standing on a dramatic headland overlooking the sea, it is associated with St Maughold, a contemporary of St Patrick. The churchyard is rich with early medieval stone crosses, a holy well, and the sense of centuries of prayer woven into land and sea — a place where history, holiness and hospitality meet.

As I step into this new role, I do so with gratitude for all that St James’s Piccadilly has been and continues to be: a community alive to worship, justice, beauty and courageous faith. Though geography will change, relationships do not end. My hope is that this move becomes not a farewell, but an invitation — to shared pilgrimage, shared learning, and shared hope in the God who calls us ever onward.

May we continue to walk lightly, love generously, and trust deeply in the God who goes before us.

With thanks and blessings,

The Revd Daniel Norris

Please do keep in touch and please visit. My new email address is revd.daniel.norris@gmail.com