What to Expect
Our Daily Routines
While our routine will largely be guided by what sites we’re visiting, there are a few things you can expect to be part of each day.
Worship
We will begin and end each day with worship, primarily led by the pilgrimage leaders with opportunities for participation by pilgrims. Our worship is largely guided by resources already available in the United Methodist Book of Worship, with hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal.
Our morning worship will typically be a service of Holy Communion as we center ourselves for the day. Pilgrimage leaders will lead Communion, and pilgrims will have the opportunity to assist with serving, reading scripture, and other ways of participating in worship.
Our evening worship will be a Compline service, as we end the day and prepare to rest.
Note that our worship schedule is fluid throughout the pilgrimage, and we seek to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, including through unexpected alterations to the schedule as a whole.
Small Groups
Small groups will organize at the beginning of the trip and meet daily over the evening meal for processing and reflection. For more details, see the Small Groups tab.
Free Time
Ample free time is built into the schedule to allow time for rest, recreation, and fellowship with fellow pilgrims.
Our Accommodations
Our accommodations during the pilgrimage will be modest but comfortable, and unless requested otherwise, all pilgrims will be in a single-occupancy room with an en suite bathroom for the duration of the trip. There is no cost difference between single and shared rooms.
Note that in most cases, we will spend 1-2 nights away from our “home base” at Sarum College as we travel to Epworth and Oxford (see your pilgrimage itinerary for details). We recommend bringing a small day bag or backpack for these nights away and carrying only what you need. Leave your larger suitcase locked in your room at Sarum College.
Where We’ll Be Staying
Note that not all overnight accommodations will be used for each pilgrimage. For specific lodging information, see the itinerary for your pilgrimage.
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Hayes Conference Centre
The Hayes Conference Centre is typically where we stay as we travel to Epworth and Oxford.
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Sarum College
Our “home away from home” during the pilgrimage, Sarum College offers outstanding hospitality during the trip.
Accessibility
Our goal is to make the pilgrimage as accessible as possible for pilgrims regardless of physical limitations. Our lodging and pilgrimage sites all include lifts (elevators) and accessible restrooms. For other accessibility needs (including dietary restrictions), in most cases, accommodations can be made with advance notice. If you have accessibility requirements to fully participate in the pilgrimage, please note those when registering, or contact us prior to registering.
With that said, pilgrims should be aware that the trip will involve significant walking, often over hilly and/or uneven terrain. While most walking will be in urban areas with opportunities to stop and rest, pilgrims should expect to be on their feet for several hours on most days.
What to Expect at Pilgrimage Sites
The pilgrimage centers on a number of sites that were formative to John and Charles Wesley and the early Methodist movement.
Plan for Lots of Walking
We will do a significant amount of walking during the pilgrimage, including several days where we will walk up to two miles. Walking will often be on rough or uneven terrain and may include some inclines. While we will generally be in urban areas with opportunities to stop and rest, you should plan to be on your feet for most of the days we visit pilgrimage sites.
What to Wear
For more details about what to pack, visit Packing Advice.
Casual dress is appropriate for most pilgrimage sites, and we encourage you to dress for comfort while keeping in mind that we will be in churches and other sacred spaces.
Coach Travel
Throughout the pilgrimage, we will travel via motor coach to our pilgrimage sites. Coach trips will range from two to six hours or more, depending on traffic and other conditions. The coach is air-conditioned, and you may wish to bring a light jacket, as it can be quite cool on the coach.
If you are prone to motion sickness, we encourage you to bring motion sickness medication or other remedies to ensure a comfortable ride.
Small Groups
As we will discuss at length during the pilgrimage, small groups have always been integral to the Wesleyan tradition.
During the pilgrimage, you will be assigned to a small group with five or six other pilgrims, with one pilgrim selected as the convener on the first evening of the trip. Your group will meet daily during the pilgrimage, typically during the evening meal. As you meet together, you will join in prayer and discussion as you reflect on the pilgrimage and how the Spirit might be moving within you.
