Introduction For 8 years, St James’s Church has developed and run the ‘Camino course’, a 12 week course meeting fortnightly on a Wednesday evening from Advent (December) to Ascension (May). Named after the Camino pilgrimage route in Spain, Camino (meaning ‘pathway’) is a chance for up to 25 people at a time to get to know each other, learn, discuss, pray, and explore their faith in an open and inclusive spirit.
Because of demand, it has not been possible for participants to repeat the course and the desire has been expressed for more opportunities to travel together through life’s adventures and challenges as a congregation and community.
Camino Companions We invite anyone who would like to, to develop with us a longer term companionship, travelling with Christ and walking with each other. Centred around silence and a simple celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a chance to talk, becoming a companion along the Way for each other will give us a chance to deepen existing friendships and make new ones. The word ‘companion’ means ‘one we break bread with’, giving expression to the prayer we say every Sunday ‘we are all one body because we all share in one bread’ (Click 'Read More')
Because of demand, it has not been possible for participants to repeat the course and the desire has been expressed for more opportunities to travel together through life’s adventures and challenges as a congregation and community.
Camino Companions We invite anyone who would like to, to develop with us a longer term companionship, travelling with Christ and walking with each other. Centred around silence and a simple celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a chance to talk, becoming a companion along the Way for each other will give us a chance to deepen existing friendships and make new ones. The word ‘companion’ means ‘one we break bread with’, giving expression to the prayer we say every Sunday ‘we are all one body because we all share in one bread’ (Click 'Read More')
What is the structure and commitment? Initially, we’d like to just try things and see what is most helpful for you in providing companionship and accompaniment for each other through daily life. We are asking people to sign up for an initial experiment of 7 weeks during Lent and through Easter, to come to a weekly evening Eucharist and then meet in small groups and try different ways of travelling together. As reflective practitioners, we would ask you to give feedback as we go along with a view to forming a structure and a simple ‘rule of life’ that we might then follow for a year together. Some of the initial ideas have been to spend time in silence, to read Scripture and other inspirational texts, to make a personal everyday commitment perhaps about social action, the environment, creativity, money, prayer, finding ways to attune our own antennae to the presence of the Spirit in the world, at work, home and in society.
Our principles? We want to learn from the spiritual practices that are tried and tested in the Christian and other traditions, and also adapt them for a 21st century London life. For example: the practice of silence in a noisy city, the practice of building friendship and community in a city where many feel isolated, the practice of self-giving love in a culture that is often self-referential and self-centred. We will foster a spirit of questioning not always trying to answer, and a spirit of open hearted-ness and open mindedness. The values that St James’s puts on its website; inclusive, adventurous, welcoming; will a good place to start.
Lent and Easter 2020 experimental period Initially we will meet on Wednesday evenings (as with the Camino course) but dates are reserved in the church diary for the Evening Eucharist to be on Tuesdays from June onwards. There may be a dedicated monthly meeting, perhaps at the weekends for those who want to join the Camino for a longer period from Pentecost (31st May 2020) – Easter 2021.
How do I join in? Please sign up by Sunday 23rd February using the forms available on the table in the prayer space in church OR the online registration link below. In this initial period, please commit to coming to each of the seven meetings. We understand that life gets in the way, and so you may have to miss one, but for this trial period we would like to create as stable a group as possible. If you would like to attend the silence and the Eucharist without joining in the Camino Companions afterwards, that’s fine. Please indicate on the sheet. If you have any questions, queries or worries, please speak to Lucy Winkett or email: rector@sjp.org.uk
Camino Companions leaflet | Downloadable registration form | Online registration
Our principles? We want to learn from the spiritual practices that are tried and tested in the Christian and other traditions, and also adapt them for a 21st century London life. For example: the practice of silence in a noisy city, the practice of building friendship and community in a city where many feel isolated, the practice of self-giving love in a culture that is often self-referential and self-centred. We will foster a spirit of questioning not always trying to answer, and a spirit of open hearted-ness and open mindedness. The values that St James’s puts on its website; inclusive, adventurous, welcoming; will a good place to start.
Lent and Easter 2020 experimental period Initially we will meet on Wednesday evenings (as with the Camino course) but dates are reserved in the church diary for the Evening Eucharist to be on Tuesdays from June onwards. There may be a dedicated monthly meeting, perhaps at the weekends for those who want to join the Camino for a longer period from Pentecost (31st May 2020) – Easter 2021.
How do I join in? Please sign up by Sunday 23rd February using the forms available on the table in the prayer space in church OR the online registration link below. In this initial period, please commit to coming to each of the seven meetings. We understand that life gets in the way, and so you may have to miss one, but for this trial period we would like to create as stable a group as possible. If you would like to attend the silence and the Eucharist without joining in the Camino Companions afterwards, that’s fine. Please indicate on the sheet. If you have any questions, queries or worries, please speak to Lucy Winkett or email: rector@sjp.org.uk
Camino Companions leaflet | Downloadable registration form | Online registration
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