The idea of pilgrimage has been part of many faith traditions through the years, including Christianity. It is often an experience that comes with a deep sense of solemnity and purpose, along with a desire for wonder and discovery. People spend great deals of money and time traveling to distant places in order to have these supernatural encounters. But, what if a similar experience could be possible right where you live – right in your own backyard?

Matt Canlis, the author of Backyard Pilgrim, and the inspiration for the Godspeed film says that, “The film GODSPEED ends where I pray your local pilgrimage begins. It is a pilgrimage not only to recover where you live and discover what God is already doing in your neighborhood, but also to learn to live there as God’s child.”

We invite you to join us in the journey of becoming Backyard Pilgrims this February as we enter into the Lenten season. Starting the week of February 19, we will be running two book study groups that will be walking through the book, Backyard Pilgrim, by Matt Canlis. The groups will be led by Deb Judas and Bob Baumann, who are both members of the Missional Initiatives team and local church pastors. Groups will meet once a week, over the course of 6 weeks to discuss what they are learning and how they are seeing God at work in their lives and in their neighbourhood.

Being part of one of these groups will give you an opportunity to go on this pilgrimage for yourself, while also seeing if this is something that you might want to take your church through at a later date. Each day there is a reflection (the Bible path) and a time to get out into your community (to walk the parish path). It will give you new lenses in which to see both the scripture passages as well as the people and places in your neighbourhood.

In preparation for the groups, you’re invited to join us for a webinar with Matt Canlis, January 23rd at 10:00am Pacific. During the webinar you’ll get the opportunity to hear a bit more about Matt’s journey and we’ll explain more about what the Backyard Pilgrim journey looks like.

For more info on the book or the Godspeed video, visit their website, or take a moment to watch our Year of Bonfire Gathering with Matt in 2021. 

Sign up for the webinar here.
If you already know that you want to join one of our Backyard Pilgrim groups, please complete this form.