River Dart Wild Church
Wild Monastics is meeting fortnightly in Dartington for silent contemplative prayer and shared reflection. Our theme this year is 'Prayer of the Heart' with inspiration drawn from the classic Christian text 'The Way of the Pilgrim'. We meet in Staple on the second Wednesday of the month (contact Sam for details) and at St. Mary's Dartington (drop in) on the fourth Wednesday, both at 5pm.
Wild Church Pilgrimages Our pilgrimage route is being developed in partnership with Devon Pilgrim, a new initiative from Exeter Diocese' 'Growing the Rural Church' project. We hope to be carrying with us the new River Dart Charter and our keen to visit and collaborate with churches along the way. Thanks to core funding from Dartington Parish Council, we continue to be able to offer our events on a donation basis and all are welcome!
Saturday 18 th April 2020 – Wild Spring - Pilgrimage Launch
In and around the home church of Wild Church at St. Mary’s Dartington from 2-5pm
A creative, community day featuring storytelling, taster talks, stalls and activities from our collaborators, including The
Birds Who Flew Beyond Time, Wild & Curious Foraging, Creative Journeys in Nature, Fire in the Head, the
Bioregional Learning Centre, The Queer Hermitage and more.
Then join us on the first Sunday of each month in 2020, as we follow the River Dart from Dartington to the sea:
1.Sunday 3 rd May
The journey begins with a circular pilgrimage walk to connect with the sacred centres of both the church and the
Dartington Estate, from 2-4.30pm. We will start the afternoon reflecting on contemplation and sacred activism with the
Bishop of Exeter, have time for silent walking and shared reflection and finish with tea & cake in the Church Hall.
2.Sunday 7 th June
An afternoon pilgrimage to walk along the river from Dartington to St. Mary’s Totnes. This event is offered in
collaboration with local forager, Myrtle Cooper, of Wild & Curious foraging. Myrtle will introduce us to some edible,
wild delights along the way and we will gather some ingredients for our silent wild communion tea.
3.Sunday 5 th July
The journey continues as we wander from the ancient Leechwell within sight of St. Mary’s, Totnes and then on along
the river to St. David’s, Ashprington. This half day pilgrimage is offered in collaboration with ‘forest bathing’ guide,
Emma Capper, of Creative Journeys in Nature. Emma will introduce us to the nature connection ‘invitations’ of forest
bathing along the shore and within the woods of the Sharpham Trust Estate.
For the full list of pilgrimages, see the Wild Church website.
Sam Wernham
Founder of River Dart Wild Church - 'bringing spirit back to earth''
07979 057169