Synod Pilgrimage

Sunday August 5

Trees and rivers have been in our minds right from the beginning of the Pilgrimage on Friday - but never more so that during this final day.

flooded roads

For most of us staying in the Bunkhouse, the day began with the keenly anticipated "megabreakfast" - then it was the usual chores of stripping beds and packing luggage before vacating the premises. Regular worshippers at Rothbury URC may have been surprised to see piles of bags and backpacks in the corner of the church, but they were too polite to say anything. And, as the church secretary explained to the congregation, they were all in for a rare treat in having two ministers, the Moderator and David Herbert, to lead the morning service together.

Trees featured prominently, with reflections on the trees of Mamre in the Abraham story and on the Galatians reference to the one who died upon the tree, and then an introduction to preaching trees in the American black tradition as well as in our own dissenting history.

The Usway Valley

And then it was time to go and see the trees for ourselves. We joined up with the bus at the carpark, which quickly retraced yesterday's journey. However, there was drama in store: the rain that we missed yesterday in the upper valley must finally have fallen overnight, and before we reached the bridge at Sharperton we discovered the road flooded and several vehicles blocking any further progress. Thankfully our driver was well acquainted with the area - and after a judicious bit of backing to let other nervous travellers out of the way, we were back on the road, parting the waters, and before too long found ourselve back at Shillmoor.

First sight of the Trees across the valley

The afternoon  ahead of us consisted of the most glorious walking - much of the time in pleasant sunshine, and following the course of the now rapidly flowing Usway Burn along the narrow valley, past sheep stells and the very occasional former farm (now remote holiday cottages) and finally skirting the edge of the Kidland Forest. Then it was a steep climb over the ridge and back down into the Coquet Valley proper, soon to get a glimpse across the valley of our final destination - The Preaching Trees, just above Barrow Burn at Windyhaugh.

It has to be said that the glory of Barrow Burn farm is its tea room - though to a point that is a statement of faith, as the tea room proved too small to contain twenty of so walkers, so we were happily confined to the tables outside while tea and cake were brought out  (Thanks again, John!). A few other intrepid travellers, mainly from Rothbury URC, joined us at this point, and together we made our way on the last few hundred yards of the pilgrimage up the slope to the two trees - or rather, now three trees.

Our synod website already tells the story of the planting of the third tree earlier this year: the goal of our Pilgrimage was to be the dedication of this new growth to mark the next stage of the Story of Dissent that began 350 years ago. Even if the records are sparse, it is more than credible that our forebears really did gather in this remote spot, in order to hear the Word and praise God together with a measure of security in what had become a very unsafe world for them.

For us today, the main threat came from the weather - the thunder was rumbling further up the valley as we enjoyed our tea, and by the time we reached the trees rain was beginning to fall. But it was not sufficient to dampen our enthusiasm. We sang heartily, listened to more scripture and reflection on trees and rivers, and rejoiced as John Cox, who had planted the tree earlier in the year and cared for it and watered it over its first months (since when it has grown at least a foot) unveiled the plaque marking its significance. And as if the rain was not doing enough, we were all invited to help water the tree, each taking the opportunity to remember in prayer those whom we would long to see blessed by an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit.

And if there was time (and surely there always is) for an extra prayer, it would have to be of thankfulness for all those who organised this year's Pilgrimage, and for success as they meet together to organise next year's. They've already promised that there will be a next year's - so just watch this space!