Grey Coat Issue 18: December 2011 Pilgrimage to Taize


Pilgrimage has always been a central part of religious life and opportunities to go on a pilgrimage are few and far between. Essentially its purpose is about journeying with others and together strengthening our individual relationship with God and each other in community.


In July 2012 Grey Coat students from Years 10-13 will have the opportunity to spend a week at the Taize Community, a religious community in Taize, a town situated between Dijon and Lyon in the Burgundy region of France. Although this is primarily a Catholic Community the brothers facilitate gatherings over the summer for young Christians from all religious backgrounds and these events,


together with the music, are well known in many churches.


Although primarily Christian in nature the pilgrimage is open to students of all faiths who will be expected to attend all the services and group activities, but whose beliefs will be respected.


The group will leave Victoria Coach Station in the late afternoon of Saturday 7th July travelling overnight to Burgundy. We arrive the next day at lunch time and depart on Sunday 14th July.


Young people from around the world gather for a week of prayer, singing, silence and reflection, dialogue and discussion, living a simple life together in community.


Further details can be obtained from Ms Clohesy at lclohesy@gch.org.uk or the Chaplain, Rev Garry Swinton at gswinton@gch.org.uk


13


Preparation and Service of Baptism


and Confirmation with the Bishop of London Westminster Abbey, Friday 4 May 2012, at 9.30 am


After this year’s very successful Confirmation we have been invited to take candidates to a further Service of Baptism and Confirmation in the Anglican Church in Westminster Abbey on Friday 4th May 2012.


Confirmation in the Church of England is an opportunity for Christians to confirm the promises made on their behalf at baptism. It is a significant rite in which a young person may mark their progression to adulthood and an expression of their spiritual journey. Those who are already baptised are welcome to be confirmed and those who are not are welcome to be both baptised and confirmed by the Bishop. Students at Grey Coat come from a range of Christian traditions and I would like to offer this opportunity to all our Christian students. Although it signifies


Mrs Citro, Freya Citro and the Bishop of London at this year's confirmation


membership of the Church of England students may interpret it as a personal expression of their own faith.


Further details from gswinton@gch.org.uk


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