CASTING OFF...

Sometimes a person just needs to get into a round boat with no oars and cast off...

When the ancient Celtic monks felt God was calling them to something different, some new place to settle, to serve, and to await their next calling, they would undertake a peregrinatio, a Latin word meaning “pilgrimage." This type of pilgrimage was different than the usual practice of walking reflectively to a specific holy site or sacred destination for inspiration. 

Instead, the purpose of this pilgrimage was to choose to be adrift at sea; to get into a round boat called a Coracle, made of animal skins, pitch, and

wood to exercise complete trust and faith that God would use the natural elements of wind and current to guide them to their "place of resurrection." Many of the ancient Monasteries in England, Ireland and Scotland were established through the peregrination of a faithful monk. 

While our Coracle looks a bit different and, thankfully, does have a way to steer, our intention is the same as the Celtic saints who set out in anticipation.  In many ways Craig and I have already become "unmoored" from our lives here. For years we have both been in a state of liminality...a place where old ways of being don't fit anymore but a transition towards a new vision hasn't quite taken hold. A threshold uncrossed. Until now. So, we are casting off, both literally and figuratively, with no real direction in mind. We have planned very little, only to desire internal transformation and a resurrection to something different and meaningful. Our hearts are open wide to discover any and all the new places, people, or purposes God might reveal to us.

 

I know we will be out-of-sight-out-of-mind, but if you happen to pass a big, gold van, see a round boat, or meet a monk, think of us and ask God to continue to safely and sacredly guide our journey.

And who knows? We might be back in a week.