With the much reported increase in gang related violence and deaths amongst young people in Britain today, our inner cities are the last place one would expect anyone to go looking for God. But \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcurban pilgrims\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Dave Wiles and Tim Evans are on a mission to discover the truth about youth and spirituality in some of Britain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most troubled communities.<\/p>\n
Avoiding more traditional holy sites, their 285 mile \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpilgrimage\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 will see them meet with young people from the Hartcliff area of Bristol, Kitts Green in Birmingham and Newham in the East End of London, as they attempt to find an answer to the question \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhere is God?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bit of a change from the day job \u00e2\u20ac\u201c when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not wearing friar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smocks, Dave and Tim head up national youth work charities Frontier Youth Trust and Worth Unlimited respectively.<\/p>\n
Inspired by Franciscan friars, who will be providing hospitality to the travelers along the route, the pair plan to travel light, carrying no cash, wearing simple clothing and a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTau\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c symbol of service to others. <\/p>\n
Dave explains: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pilgrimage doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to be about going somewhere remote to encounter God. The work of both our organisations is about meeting with young people who are \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcon the edge\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 of our society. We wanted to make our pilgrimage to the places where thousands of young people live out their daily lives \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and to explore whether God can be found there.\u00e2\u20ac?<\/p>\n
The pilgrims will be holding an open session on the question \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhere Is God?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 at Hartcliff Community Centre in Bristol on June 17th, and all young people are welcome to attend. The session will be informal, with opportunities to take part in creative arts activities, games and discussion \u00e2\u20ac\u201c or just have a chat. They will also be visiting schools in Kitts Green and Newham to talk with the pupils there. <\/p>\n
And for those who aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t on the route, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a novel way to join in \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a text or phone messaging service for God will be available for the duration of the pilgrimage. <\/p>\n
Pilgrimage Dates: 17th \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 19th June 2007<\/p>\n
Open Session: Hartcliff Community Centre, Bristol, Sunday 17th June 4 pm<\/p>\n
Text God: (Available 17th \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 19th June only) 07799 108339<\/p>\n
Phone God: (Available 17th \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 19th June only) 01225 480973<\/p>\n
More Info: Jo Fitzsimmons 0121 687 3505 or email frontier@fyt.org.uk<\/p>\n