4 October 2017 Dear NTS Alum, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I am pleased to announce that a limited number of openings are available to join a pilgrimage to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, May 16-27, 2018. I am partnering with Stephen Morley and Sarah Voigt, Nazarene missionaries based in County Wicklow, to lead a journey to discover the riches of the Celtic Christian spiritual tradition and to explore its implications for engagement with contemporary cultures. In addition to teaching spiritual formation at Nazarene Theological Seminary, I am a spiritual director and retreat leader who has had the opportunity to be a pilgrim or lead pilgrimages to Ireland & Northern Ireland five times since 2014.

What is Pilgrimage? It looks a lot like other forms of travel you have experienced--vacations, holidays, tours, extreme adventures, work-andwitness--but is different in important ways. This trip will center on the sacred, the divine Presence in our world and in our lives. That means that each day whether on the road, visiting a site, eating a meal, interacting with others, or taking some time for self-renewal, our primary agenda will be looking for and listening for God. You will discover God in new ways within you and in everyone and everything you encounter--not as a tourist, but as one open to be changed and transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Itinerary (some locations & activities subject to change): Wednesday, May 16 – arrive at Dublin International Airport no later than 11:00am. You are responsible to arrange and pay for transportation to Dublin airport. We will pick you up there and transport you to Glassdrumman Lodge in Annalong, Northern Ireland Thursday, May 17 – Visit Newgrange and Monasterboice Friday, May 18 – Visit Downpatrick and surrounding St. Patrick sites Saturday, May 19 – Visit Holy Cross Benedictine Monastery, Rostrevor; drive to Glendalough, Republic of Ireland and lodge at Tearmann Spirituality Centre and Glendaloch International Hostel Sunday, May 20 – Worship & walk through Glendalough valley and St. Kevin’s monastic city Monday, May 21 – Diseart Day #1 in Glendalough (day of rest and personal reflection) Tuesday, May 22 – Travel to Kildare and St. Brigit sites; travel to Dingle, County Kerry and lodge at Conor Pass Lodge and Gort Na Greiné Wednesday, May 23 – Visit sites on the Dingle Peninsula Thursday, May 24 – Climb Mt. Brandon (optional); attend Celtic music concert Pilgrim Letter #1 (NTS) - page 1

Friday, May 25 – Visit Clonmacnoise, St. Kieran’s monastic city; travel to lodging in the Burren: Cappabhaile House & Burren View Saturday, May 26 – Diseart Day #2 in the Burren (day of rest and personal reflection) Sunday, May 27 – Travel to Dublin for worship and Book of Kells exhibit; free time for sight-seeing in Dublin; overnight lodging in Dublin provided with access to bus transport to Dublin airport Monday, May 28 – departure from Dublin. You are responsible to arrange and pay for transportation to Dublin airport or any other destination. Lodgings will be modest, sometimes including shared rooms & bath, and most meals will be self-catered.

Cost: $999 (USD) if you make a $300 non-refundable first payment by November 15, 2017 – this covers all transportation, food, lodging, and group admission costs from the point of pickup at Dublin airport on Wednesday, May 16 through overnight lodging in Dublin on Sunday, May 27. The cost increases to $1,199 if first payment is made after November 15. You are responsible for your own food, travel, and lodging expenses coming to and from Dublin.

Payment Schedule: o o o o

by November 15, 2017 – $300 (non-refundable) first payment to guarantee a spot in the pilgrimage at the $999 rate; limited spots available – first come, first served after November 15, 2017 – if spots are still available, they will be at the $1,199 rate with a $300 (non-refundable) first payment by January 1, 2018 – $300 second payment. Refunds after January 15, 2018 due to an emergency will need to be negotiated by April 1, 2018 – $399 (at the $999 rate) or $599 (at the $1,199 rate) third and final payment.

How to Reserve a Spot and Make Payments: Two steps: (1) Email me the following information: your name, mailing address, email, and any dietary restrictions or other special needs; and (2) Make out checks to “WCC “ with “Pilgrimage” in the memo line, and mail to: Tricia Cunnington, 8510 Argentina St., Jersey Village, TX. 77040. For those needing clergy Lifelong Learning credits, this pilgrimage will fulfill the 20 hours yearly requirement in the Church of the Nazarene.

Will You Join Us? The Theme of the Pilgrimage is “A Journey for Renewal”, renewal of both personal spirituality and Christian mission. Amidst the travel, time and space will be provided for prayerful reflection, community building, and engagement with Irish Christians.

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Jesus once said to his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, NRSV). Pilgrimage is a way to live out our discipleship vows. It involves “following”—there will be a set agenda, a pathway of places and sites to visit—and “taking up a cross”—you will be directed to encounter and join with Jesus in finding a freedom from service-of-self-alone that enables greater love for God and neighbor. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me [email protected] Whether or not you join us, this traditional Gaelic prayer is for you: The seed is with Christ And the harvest is with Christ. May we be gathered into God’s granary. The sea is with Christ And the fish are with Christ. May we be swept into God’s nets. From growth to maturity, And from maturity to death, May you, O Christ, Close your arms tightly around us! From death to finish—oh, it is not finish, But a new growth. May we be found dwelling In the paradise of the graced!

Grace & peace,

Rev. Doug Hardy, Ph.D. Professor of Spiritual Formation Nazarene Theological Seminary Kansas City, Missouri

https://ga.nts.edu/faculty

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