We have just had the third of our monthly Walk and Worship events. These “Discovery Walks” are designed to be an amble when we take the time to “stop and stare” and appreciate the work of our Creator around us.
The first one I joined was on Saturday 19th July, at the top of Ludwell Valley Park, by Pynes Hill. This part of Ludwell Valley Park is basically the Cordery’s back garden. Managed by Devon Wildlife Trust, some of its fields are grazed by cattle and others are planted with wildflowers – all as part of a nature conservation initiative. It was these wildflowers and the things buzzing around them we came to focus on. We took part in the Big Butterfly count and also identified species of the flora and fauna that we discovered. Then we looked up and gazed on the beautiful views around us – including one where we could see the Exe Estuary and the sea.
About three quarters of the way around there was a convenient bench, where we stopped for a simple act of worship where we had words of praise, heard some good news stories about the natural world, with appropriate Bible readings and poetry. Then we prayed for nature and those supporting it.We then enjoyed a shared fellowship picnic, which augmented the blackberries we had picked and eaten along the way.
There was another Walk and Worship on Saturday 16th August, when we visited some of Exeter’s most ancient trees in Rougemont and Northernhay Gardens, the oldest
municipal public place in the country, opened in 1612. Again, it was the challenge of
identifying the trees, using the leaves, fruit and bark for reference. We even saw
banana plants, but not fruit! It is pleasing to see that the relatively recently planted avenue of trees between the War Memorial and Queen St is thriving and without any gaps. And again, we paused to admire the views that illustrated how richly Exeter is blessed with greenery.
We then made our way to Lower Cemetery, below the Catacombs, to enjoy the richness and diversity of trees there. We finished in the beautifully shady Dissenters’ Graveyard in Bartholomew Street. We had our prayers, readings, and the good news of how beneficial trees are to the planet, to each other, and to humans physically, mentally and spiritually.
We learnt from our fellowship picnic, that M&S’s Marmite pinwheels are a success!
The next Walk and Worship will be an exploration of the work on the River Otter at Budleigh Salterton. This will be on Saturday 27th September (see separate article below). There will then be one on Saturday 18th October. Further information can be found on the ECO Church board in the corridor. Angela Martin
Walk and Worship Saturday September 27 afternoon
Our next amble will be at Budleigh Salterton at the new Otter estuary Nature Reserve.
We will go for a short walk, having time to appreciate what we see, have a brief time of worship and then share a snack together.
More details will follow re where to meet etc.
Many thanks, Sue and Peter Cordery