Tracks: faith, hope and landscape, by the Revd Joe Knight

The churches in Seven Towers Benefice are hosting a weekend of events (15 to 17 November) to celebrate and promote care for creation. The Revd Joe Knight reflects on the event and the inspiration behind the name, ‘tracks’.

“The world is etched with the tracks of pilgrims. From the tiny thread-like tracks of beetles between blades of grass, to footprints of deer and badger, launched and hunched through hedgerow and over common. Think too of the paths of river and canyon, and of course, those earth engravings made by human toil in the form of tunnel, railway and road.

“These way-markers are the guides, reminders, and the consequence of life shaped by journeys, physical, spiritual, and cultural. The way we want to live is paced out every day, leaving the tracks of our hopes and endeavours upon the earth. Through them we trace stories back through generations, and in them we find suggestions of where we are going.

“Our ‘way of life’ is one of the most prized, sought-after, and protected mysteries in the public sphere. It is a notion that underpins society. Our values, our pursuits, and the things we hold dear are woven together, creating the complex tapestry we call culture – a word, notably, which has its roots in tilling the earth, in making tracks.

“Take a moment to ponder, what tracks are you making in your life?

“We sometimes hear of our ‘carbon footprint’, but more generally, what marks do your habits and choices make upon the world?

“The early Christians were first known as people of ‘the Way’, people responding to the radical invitation of Jesus to ‘follow me’, people who wanted to leave a different mark upon the world – tracks of blessing, wholeness, of heaven on earth.

“Today, in a world marred with division and crisis, ‘tracks’ is a festival that tells a different story, a story of the world that is hope-filled and inspiring. Through music, arts, film and storytelling, ‘tracks’ aims to celebrate our common home and consider how we live well in and with the natural world.

“This year we are excited to welcome the Revd Dan Pierce back to the diocese, as we launch the weekend with ‘Early Bird and Nightfulness’, an evening of music and poetry performance.

“The weekend includes a host of exciting events, we’d love to share them with you.”

 

• Friday 15, 7.30pm: Early Bird and Nightfulness at The Leigh Church

An evening of song and poetry with priest, author and musician Rev Dan Pierce. £5 suggested donation. Refreshments available.

• Saturday 16, 10am to 4pm: When Eye in Awesome Wonder, Down Hatherley Church

Photography Exhibition reflecting on children’s responses to the question: when you step outside, what makes you say ‘wow’?

• Saturday 16, 1pm-4pm: Getting Creative, Nature in Art

Simple creative activities for all ages. Donations welcome.

• Saturday 16, 7pm: Film Festival, Boddington Church

An evening of short films reflecting on our place on earth. Donations welcome. Refreshments available.

• Sunday 17, 3pm: Storytelling Afternoon Tea, Sandhurst Church

Showcasing the best entries to our storytelling competition, where submissions of stories or poems have celebrated local places, past, or present, or hoped for. Come along to enjoy the afternoon tea, and winners will be invited to share their contributions of stories and poems.

For more information, contact Joe Knight.