Written by The Pilgrimage of Hope team
At the beginning of October, a diverse group of pilgrims set out on a four-day pilgrimage along The Way of Life, one of the Northern Saints Trails crossing County Durham. The event, named The Pilgrimage of Hope, was organised in collaboration with The Auckland Project, GATHER Church Teesdale, the Camino Ingles, and local artists. It was a deep journey, grounded in Christian faith - though welcoming those with no faith whatsoever - as participants walked not only alongside each other and shared stories of their life journey so far, with leaders reflecting on Jesus’ teachings and seeking to champion a more open comfort with discussing mental health.
Led by David Pott, Pilgrimage Consultant for Durham Cathedral, alongside key organisers: Jilly Johnston from The Auckland Project, Tom Deakin from GATHER Church Teesdale, Keith Taylor of the Camino Ingles, and Rev’d Canon Eileen Harrop, the pilgrimage was designed from the start to offer both spiritual growth and personal reflection. Over four days, each themed around a different stage of life, pilgrims were encouraged to look deeper into their faith, explore their personal journey with God, and consider how they could walk more closely with Jesus in their everyday lives.
Thursday’s walk began at St Mary’s Well, Gainford, a historic location which once saw St Cuthbert himself pass by. This first day began with the theme of "beginnings", inviting participants to reflect on their own origins, baptism, and how their identity in Christ shapes their path. Each step taken echoed the walks Jesus Himself made with His disciples, teaching and healing along the way. On Friday, the focus turned to “growing” – not only physically or emotionally, but spiritually. Pilgrims shared stories of how their faith in God has developed, how Jesus has walked alongside them during their most formative moments, and how their relationship with Christ continues to influence their lives.
A significant moment during the pilgrimage was the visit to the recently opened Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland. The museum, which traces the rich history of Christianity in England in a series of spectacular and carefully curated exhibits, allowed the group to reflect on the faith that has shaped our nation for centuries. This visit, much like the pilgrimage itself, helped connect the walkers to a deeper Christian heritage.
“I know I will never forget the experience I had at Durham Cathedral, and I imagine that the Faith Museum visit had a lasting impact on those who came,” shared Jilly Johnston from The Auckland Project. She added, "The Pilgrimage and Hope project at the Auckland Project would not have been as meaningful and impactful without this special pilgrimage; and collaboration has been important in making it happen. It has added meaning, purpose and created an excellent experience for all who participated."
Saturday’s theme of living in the present was a reminder of Jesus’ teachings about the value of each moment, and the importance of trust and faith in God’s plan. As the pilgrims walked, they took time to be fully present, offering prayers of gratitude for the beauty of creation around them. For some, it was a chance to truly walk with Jesus in their hearts, seeking His guidance through those moments of peace and stillness within the journey. Sunday’s final walk invited contemplation of the future—thinking about legacy, heaven, and how to walk forward in faith with Jesus by our side.
One pilgrim described the experience: “Walking the Camino as pilgrims was a fascinating, uplifting and enjoyable journey of faith and togetherness. People certainly make pilgrimage special, and the pilgrimage certainly makes people special. The holy places that we shared, the sheer beauty of the world around us, the heritage of the path, the sounds, the silences, the sharing, the joy of the warm fellowship; all made the hope and purpose of our future lives seem better able to look forward to.”
Throughout the journey, the group also reflected on the many Bible stories where Jesus walked alongside His disciples, whether on the road to Emmaus or by the Sea of Galilee, teaching and transforming lives through community and faith. The pilgrimage gave some sublime moments of this, as pilgrims shared stories of their personal walk with Christ, their challenges, and the joy that comes from knowing God.
Jilly Johnston further expressed her gratitude for the partnerships that made the event possible: "Through working together, we reached people we could not have reached in isolation, made experiences and memories that will be lasting for all involved. I come out of this experience refreshed, and this is thanks to everyone who worked hard to plan to make this happen! Thank you to all who came and helped make a dream a reality."
The visit of a videographer, who captured testimonies from the pilgrims, will allow these personal stories of faith to be shared with a wider audience. The testimonies, focusing on themes such as mental health, and community – allowed the group to capture such rich stories of how Christ’s presence was felt throughout the pilgrimage, and will be released in a short film in the near future.
The Pilgrimage of Hope was fortunate to land across four beautiful days of sunshine, though it became much more than just a walk through the beautiful landscapes of County Durham! As Tom Deakin, GATHER Church Teesdale Lead, explained, “The pilgrimage reminded us that just as the disciples walked with Jesus, we are called to walk in faith, to trust in God’s guidance, and to share our stories of hope with others.” GATHER Church, a pilgrimage-focused church plant, regularly organises walks throughout the year with this same aim of connecting people to Christ. Reflecting on the pilgrimage’s impact, Tom added, “The lessons we learned during the Pilgrimage of Hope will continue to shape our mission as we reach out to those who still need to know Jesus.” Many pilgrims left the experience with renewed hope, a wonderful camaraderie after spending four days with each other, and a deeper commitment to walking with Jesus in their everyday lives.
Ends
Photos:
1. The group full of excitement, on Prebends Bridge, with the cathedral behind them in beautiful sunshine.
2. The pilgrims make their final steps of their journey to Durham Cathedral
3. GATHER Church Teesdale Lead, Tom Deakin, reaching for the Sanctuary Knocker on the Northern door