The Walk (Stage One)
The first stage of our prayer walk went ahead as planned. We had advertised our walk among our congregation of St James' and a member of our Church, Alan Brown joined us.
St James' Church
(View from Hexthorpe Bridge)
We started our day by joining Alan Murray for Celtic Morning Prayer at 8:45. I was a little early and on my walk to Church I had already walked passed St Jude's Church Hexthorpe. As I walked passed I was greeted by one of their Church Wardens Kath Wake. I told her what we planned to do that day and received encouragement. We would have talked for longer but then the Church bell rang which was a reminder that she was a little late for Morning Prayer which St Jude's were keeping up during the interregnum. Kath had talked to me about the plan to share their next vicar with Edlington. Something for us to have on our prayer agenda.
Our prayers started a little late but the readings that were assigned for the day seemed particularly relevant. (Could we expect anything less?) Especially Deuteronomy 7:1-11 which includes
By our walk we were declaring that the land belonged to God and that His Church was to have a positive effect in the area. We were not driving out people but prayed that God's Kingdom would ultimately drive out all the negative influences that hinder the people from enjoying the blessings that God wants to give."The Lord your God will bring you into the land which you are going to occupy and he will drive many nations out of it."
After then praying for our own Church of St James' we then set out on our planned route which we knew could be changed at the direction of the Holy Spirit. And as we walked into Hexthorpe there was a blessing almost immediately - perhaps a sign we from Doncaster's original Railway Church was doing what God had called us to do. Steam heading towards us as we crossed over the bridge into Hexthorpe. The rebuilt / restored LNER Class A4 Pacific steam locomotive complete with period carriages traveling through Doncaster on the Sheffield line.
Our first prayer stop: The Junction. The Hexthorpe Methodist Community Centre which was formerly a public house.
Our second prayer stop: St Jude's parish Church. We prayed for them during this time without a vicar.
The Crucifixtion
(Outside St Jude's Hexthorpe)
As we left we left two post cards, one with a note to say that we stopped by to pray for them and the other with a traditional Celtic blessing. The front of this card says St. James at the interchange and has the prayer:
Third prayer stop: Hexthorpe Methodist Church. We prayed for their rebuilding proposals as well as their mission to make Jesus known.May God give you..
For every storm a rainbow,
For every tear a smile,
For every care a promise
and a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
a faithful friend to share.
For every sigh a sweet song
and an answer to each prayer.
Hexthorpe Methodist Church
Fourth prayer stop: Hexthorpe Flatts where we prayed for Hexthorpe First School and Hexthorpe Manor House. We prayed for the individuals we knew who worked in this school and for the Manor House we prayed that if it was God's will then it would once again be a place of Christian healing.
Detail in the wall of Hexthorpe Manor showing that it was once a Christian centre.
We then left Hexthorpe and on to our Fifth prayer stop: St John's Church Balby. The Church is on an important cross-roads that seemed to divide the community. We prayed for unity and healing in the community and the ministry of the Rev Brian Inston among them. We also noticed that the Church seemed hidden from view by the trees. Our prayer was that people would find the Church and the love that God had for them here.
St John's Church, Balby
The gate from the Church grounds into the street that proclaims Jesus as the Way, Truth and Life.
We then walked on going along Balby High Road, passed Balby Library whose future is uncertain and to our next prayer stop, The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. When we arrived Mass had recently finished. We talked to a lady and explained what we were doing. She felt that it was a good thing to do and was pleasantly surprised. We thanked God for this Church especially for its role in bringing the charismatic movement into Doncaster.
The Sacred Heart Church, Balby
At this point we had a change of plan. We had planned to move on to the site of the original Church of St Peter's Warmsworth to pray but felt that this could be done at another stage. In walking along the main road, Warmsworth Road we could prayer at Alder Grove Methodist Church.
Our seventh prayer stop: Alder Grove Methodist Church also had activities that morning. The activities were children based. Young mothers were taking their children in and out of the building. We prayed for this Church not in their grounds because of the children but in the street.
Alder Grove Methodist Church, Balby
Onward to our eighth prayer stop: St Peter's Church Warmsworth, otherwise known as the White Church. This is another Church without an incumbent at the moment. However, they do have a curate. We prayed for the ministry at this Church and the selection of a new Rector. We also took time to sit on a bench in the grounds and pray slightly more formerly by saying a short office.
"May the peace of the Lord Christ go with me wherever He may send me.
May he guide me through the wilderness, protect me through the storm.
May he bring me home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown me.
May he make this day a blessing to all whose path crosses mine."
St Peter's Church, Warmsworth
Another change of route. The original plan was to walk through the estate behind the Church and walk into Edlington along Broomhouse Lane. The route which we took along the main road would add to the distance walked but would lead us more directly to the Church buildings in Edlington.
As we walked into Warmsworth the sky stared to darken and rain was threatened. The wind was also starting to blow. To signify the humour we shared, Alan Murray raised his arm as if to help the wind push away the rain clouds from where we were walking.
We crossed over the A1(M) by the footbridge behind the hotel taking note of the old bell tower. We reached Warmsworth Library and turned left and walked into Edlington. A road sign pointed out where the Orthodox Church was. I knew some people who were involved in this Church. The congregation were mainly ex-Anglicans who joined this Church as a protest against the ordination of women in 1994. At first they worshiped in the cemetery chapel at Conisbrough. There present building was formerly the Roman Catholic Church. When they moved into a new building the old building became available and the Orthodox Church moved in. We prayed for them outside of the Church building. Not only was the Church locked but the gates to the grounds were also locked. This made it difficult to leave our cards. It felt that the Church was under siege to vandalism. This was our ninth prayer stop.
The Orthodox Church, Edlington
We walked through the estate to the next prayer stop. We found the Methodist Church which was for sale. We prayed for the Methodists and where they were meeting at the moment as we were unsure that they still met in this building. We noticed that at the police station opposite the Union Jack was flying.
St John's Edlington was our next place of prayer. It too was well guarded against the vandals. St John's Edlington was one of four Churches in the diocese built in the same style- a red brick building like so many others in the village.
St John's Edlington
We prayed that a new vicar would be appointed soon. Someone was in the Church and had come to investigate when they heard us. We explained who we were and what we were doing and was able to give them the cards that we were leaving. They invited us into the Church but we decline because of our fourth member who I must apologise for not introducing sooner. Dumble, the four legged and friendly resident of St James' vicarage. As Alan Murray explained, since he was walking it seemed a shame not to bring him along.
Across the road from the Church was the old Church Hall. It had been sold and bought by International City Church as a Church plant from ICC Doncaster. We did not leave any cards with them as we could not see a letter box. At the end of the street was a Cooplands and this is where we bought our lunch. We then saw a sign that pointed to our eleventh prayer stop: the new Roman Catholic Church. It was next to a school. We prayed outside the Church on the road. We could not get into the grounds. Again it felt that it was hidden behind protective fencing.
Roman Catholic Church in Edlington
As we were getting hungry we found a grassy area to stop and eat our lunch. The Church buildings may have been under attack but on reflection we felt that Edlington was a good place to be. It was friendly and welcoming. Edlington may have a negative image due to recent events that have been reported nationally and this "land" may need healing but nothing should detract from the good things that this community has to offer.
The twelfth payer stop was St Peter's Old Edlington. A redundant Church but in a strategic place. (At least for our prayer walk) We also said formal midday prayer in the Church grounds.
"Let nothing disturb thee.
Nothing affright thee: all things are passing.
God never changeth!
Patient endurance attaineth to all things; who God possessth in nothing is wanting; alone God suffieth."
St Peter's Edlington
We crossed over the road and for the first time that day we felt as if we were walking in the country. Now were were walking along Wood Lane and soon we would cross fields and go over sty's. We were headed for that point where Edlington Wood joins Wadworth Wood. To do so we had to walk across a field of horses. They assumed that we came with food and came to greet us. They didn't like Dumble and chased him. At one point I felt that I was in the way and one horse in particular seemed to be running at me with Dumble behind. I placed my hand - palm outwards toward the horse and firmly said "NO!" It stopped right next to me.
We went under the A1(M) through the foot tunnel and into Wadworth Wood.We were on the route of the Doncaster Way. Walking into Wadworth we had a good view of Doncaster. So onto to our thirteenth prayer stop: St John's Wadworth. We prayed for the vicar, Rev Alun Price and the Churches ministry to its village and contribution to village life.
St John's Church, Wadworth
By now time was getting on. The route I had planned to Tickhill would have taken too long so we chose to press on and go along the main road. One of the reasons that helped change our minds was that this more direct route would take us past Tickhill Methodist Church. It is noticeable that there is no path to walk on and we had to be extra careful. One thing I saw that I didn't expect to see was across the fields in the direction of the hamlet of Hesley was one solitary wind turbine. It was getting warm now and this reminded me of holidays in West Jutland and the many wind farms in Denmark. In Denmark they have got used to wind farms and their benefits to the environment. Surely this is the way forward?
Prayer point fourteen: Tickhill Methodist Church. We prayed for the Church and its members and the people we knew who attended this Church. We had a positive feeling at this point as we did throughout Tickhill. I sensed a need for more prayer in Tickhill to identify prayer needs. It was noticeable that Tickhill was so unlike the rest of Doncaster. To me it looked as if the Town Planners had left Tickhill alone as the place looked unspoilt. I joked, "is it because the Town Planners live here"?
Tickhill Methodist Church
But first Prayer point sixteen: Tickhill Evangelical Church. We thanked God for this Church and we prayed that it would preach the Gospel which will be heard and responded to by the community.
We walked East towards the A1(M) and just after the bridge we turned onto a footpath that would eventually lead us to Rossington. Again over fields and sty's. This time no horses but rabbits who were far to quick for Dumble. That is if he could have been bothered with chasing them. He like the three human walkers were getting tired(?) However the ditches proved to be a hit with Dumble who was far happier to drink from them and the dirty puddles than he was to drink clean water from a bowl. On route he disturbed a pair of ducks which flew out of the ditch to safety.
I was beginning to fulfil a life long ambition. I had grown up in New Rossington and had always wanted to walk the public footpath that went from Tickhill to Rossington. I never did it then because the route always seemed to be ploughed over and the route very unclear. And I can not remember a bridge over the river Torne. At one part the footpath went through a field of Oil Seed Rape which almost hid the footpath and made it difficult to walk. After that field we went in to a field of lettuce. At this point we could see the small village of Stancil where once there was a Roman Villa and I wondered, was the path on which we were walking once a Roman one? We could also now see Hesley Hall on the other bank of the Torne. The path suddenly took a 45 degree turn to the right and a footbridge over the river could be seen.
View of Hesley in parish of Rossington
We could also see Rossington All Saints School. This school was known as Rossington Comprehensive and the school that I went to. The place where I became a Christian whilst doing an essay on the Kerygma whilst in the 6th form.
We were now on familiar territory (For me) I had been on this lane many times on walks as a child. This used to lead to the back of Allenby Crescent, the house I was born in and where my maternal grandparents lived for many years. There was also familiar sounds. As we approached Rossington a pair of Sky Larks sang their hearts out, giving us a fanfare of nature to welcome into Rossington.
Prayer point seventeen: Rossington New Life Church. We prayed for the pastor Andy Webster and his personal ministry of evangelism. We prayed that he may be encouraged and that the Church under his care would grow.
Rossington New Life Church
We then walked along Gattison Lane which is the parish boundary between St Luke New Rossington and St Michael Rossington. There was no time to pray outside St Luke's Church but we prayed for the parish as we walked along the boundary. We crossed over the Railway crossing over the East Coast main line. I pointed out the old well which is no longer in use. I told Alan Murray of the story that had been told to me by my mother when I was a child. When the mine in New Rossington was sunk, the only water supply for the miners was this one. The people of Rosington did not like these newcomers taking their water so they barricaded the railway crossing to prevent them form having their water. The mining company had to import water into the new village every day. Alan Murrays' immediate reaction was, "No wonder there is division". A hurt in the unconscious memory that needs to be healed.
Prayer point eighteen: St Michael Rossington. We prayed for Rev Norma Rao the Rector of St Michael's. Remembering the stain glass window above the alter of St Michael's victory over the Devil we prayed that this Church would experience the victory that Jesus won. At one point the wind blew and blossom blew down on to us as we prayed. I was reminded of Pentecost and prayed that members of this congregation have their own personal Pentecosts and empowers them in their ministry. A prayer we could pray for each and every congregation we had prayed for that day.
It was now almost 7pm. We had walked over 17 miles. It seemed right to finish at St Michael Rossington and not go on to St Francis Church as planned. We finished with a formal prayer and went for the Bus.
"See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children and love one another. Follow the example of good men of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come."
St Michael's Church, Rossington
However, our walking was not over. We all had to walk home. As I walked home I texted my wife "I'm hobbling in2 hexthorpe now" She replied, "OK goblin x" The word play was not missed. I wondered, did I have a bottle of Hob Goblin real ale at home? I didn't but I had some others left over from Christmas. I didn't quench my thirst with a beer. I'd leave them to be enjoyed at a later date when I was not so tired. A cup of herb tea was just as welcome. We had walked an estimated 17 miles.
Friday morning my legs ached and I had caught the sun. A lesson for next time. Must get some sun lotion. looking forward to stage 2 of our walk next month. Next time we would continue at St Francis West Bessacarr and head towards St Nicholas' Thorne. Route not yet finalised.
