Jesus is with us

Today has been one of the best days. I've found a lot of meaning from varying sources, some of them quite unexpected. I spent the day at the Diocese of Canterbury's 'The Gathering' following on from last night's foodie 'entree'.

After a lovely night's sleep, I grabbed breakfast at Pret a Manger in Canterbury, then registered for the day's events. I bumped into C in her role as events coordinator and overseer at various points throughout the day but otherwise spent the day on my own, meeting a few bods along the way.

The first talk was by the 'Singing Pilgrims', two hugely passionate and inspiring young men who have set up the British Pilgrimage Trust and spend their time making pilgrimages in the UK and encouraging others to do so. They've featured recently in Radio 4's 'Soul Music' pilgrimaging to a holy place in Scarborough with the song 'Scarborough Fair' as their inspiration. They were friendly, bright and compelling and really made one want to set out on a pilgrimage right there and then. I love their aim.

The best part of the day was the Wintershall Players' interpretation of aspects of Jesus's life in the form of an ernergetic play in the nave of the cathedral. I was at the front, side on, and with a fabulous view, almost part of the action. I had tears in my eyes by the end, the resurrection. I have never witnessed a live telling of the holy story, other than children's nativity plays and three part static readings of the Gospel of John. This was so meaningful and moving. I am definitely booking to see their day long version of the 'Life of Christ' at the Wintershall Estate in June. Can't wait. (My blip is of a digitally savvy Jesus in rehearsal!)

After a delicious lunch in town at Club Burrito, which serves street food, I listened to a man who'd walked 500 miles with his cello on his back over five weeks to Santiago do Compostella along the pilgrim's camino. And he played his cello for us while his slideshow rolled. As this pilgrimage is something I intend to do one day, I was really interested in his motivation and personal conclusions.

I ducked out of the final act of worship by Messy Church as it was rather child orientated and went back to Whitstable for a welcome coffee and chill out.

C went out for dinner with The Gathering team so I got on the road and got home about 9pm. I listened to one of the most fascinating radio programmes on the way home about 'choking' in certain situations. It really resonated and was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. I need to listen to it again. And read the book they mentioned. It was quite reassuring for my ego. It made me think that perhaps I am better than I think I am at certain things, where others might struggle. That's come as a surprise to me...

All in all, my day has been an eye opening, inspiring, learning curve and my spiritual being has most definitely been nourished. Not a bad feeling to have I must say. Hay, next week, has a lot to live up to after that! Bet it can't.