6As we took the first few steps last Sunday on the continuation of the Sacred Journey from Pt McNeill, we began with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Today, we completed this phase of the journey in Sooke with a feeling of serenity, wonder, and humble celebration.
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We were overcome with a huge feeling of gratitude, that we had been sustained on the journey by God and the prayers of God's people, for the welcome we received by Anglicans and First Peoples, by the positive response to Bishop’s challenge to continue the journey.
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We set off this morning from Roche Cove, walking the Galloping Goose most of the way into Sooke. At Roche Cove, we were joined by the Rev Dimas Canjura and three of the people of Holy Trinity, along with Imelda Secker, who works with the bishop at the synod office. What a blessing to have community historian, Liz Johnson along to relate the history of the places we passed.

This part of the ‘Goose’ is particularly scenic and we marvelled at the spring wild flowers, the waterfalls, the forest—all part of God’s creation. We saw wild lilies, a symbol used by many island churches, and to our surprise, a cluster of trilliums, Ontario’s provincial flower. Obviously, someone had passed this way from eastern Canada. Douglas fir (‘fake fir’ according to Liz), cedars, arbutus, larch and other species of trees accompanied us along the way.

As we reached Sooke Rd, we left the serenity of the Goose and headed for the city centre and Holy Trinity. Along the way, a planned visit with the T’Sou-ke Nation proved to be a very meaningful stop. Here we were met by Councillor Rosie Dumont who responded to Bishop’s request to enter the land and to stay by reporting that she had approval to do on behalf of the chief and council of the nation. The entire group of walkers was deeply touched by her warmth and friendly response, and her invitation to visit again.
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Then it was on to Holy Trinity for a sandwich lunch provided by the people of the parish and a period of relaxation until the potluck dinner in the early evening. At the evening event, Bishop spoke of the meaning of the Sacred Journey as a symbol of the long journey to reconciliation. Over a delicious vegetarian meal (in honour of Bishop), we talked and laughed and shared stories of the SJ. And then we departed for our homes with a small sense of loss that tomorrow held no down-the-road walking goal (“what are we going to do with ourselves”). Relief soon overcame this.

As Bishop’s words echo in Anglican churches all the way down the island from St Columba in Pt Hardy to Holy Trinity in Sooke, the importance of his message and the sincerity and commitment with which they are expressed sinks in. He is committed to staying the course and the people of the island—Anglicans and First Nations--
are responding.

The SJ has served as a symbol of the work ahead. With God in our corner and Bishop and an ever-expanding circle of those touched by the potential for a renewed relationship, the journey will continue and the end will be achieved.

And so the second phase of the SJ has been completed and what an enormous privilege to walk this path with Bishop. Just over 100km and 160,000 steps, added to the 480km and 650,000 steps of 2016, we have now walked Vancouver Island from as far north as the road leads and the same south and part way to the west. We have visited and been graciously received by Anglicans and First Peoples along the way. Many people have joined on the walk, for which we are very grateful. Thanks also to all those who have supported the journey in a variety of ways.

Bishop has carried the important message of reconciliation and the challenge to join in the work in a spirit of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation. The principles of simplicity and humility have been sustained and in turn have sustained. Carried by the grace of God and the prayers of God's people, we have survived sore feet and aching muscles, walking further than we ever imagined that we could.

As Elder Jill Harris said of the SJ, “the door has been opened” to new conversations and new relationships.  We must ensure the door remains open so the hard and important work, yet to be done, is carried forward and at some future day is completed.

Nelson Mandela’s words echo as we end this step of the long journey. “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

We must take a moment to rest, and then we must walk on. With God’s help, we will.

​A quiet day, thanks be to God, after the walk over the hump yesterday.
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We set off early from Pt Alberni in fog to meet Ian Alexander who would be waiting at Royal Roads to walk with us.

As we drove, the weather cleared and we entered the environs of Victoria in nice weather. We prayed it would hold while we walked.

After dispensing with our baggage at Bishop's house, we proceeded to the meeting place.

Here we said so long to our friend and driver, Jeff and set him free of duties to return to a normal life. Bishop expressed a huge debt of gratitude for Jeff's service while Jeff related his pleasure and what he had learned by travelling with Bishop on this historic undertaking.

And then we walked, buoyed by the weather and the company of Ian. We strolled most of the day, enjoying the beauty of the scenery along the Galloping Goose and the absence of traffic, a real delight after walking the roads of the north island.

We have developed a very comfortable mix of conversation and silent reflection, both evidence of the gifts of God. And so we talked and listened and reflected on the experience and its meaning. And then we talked some more.

20km and about 30,000 steps later, we reached Roche Cove where we will begin the last steps of phase 2 of the SJ, into Holy Trinity is Sooke.

While mention was made of phase 3 and an annual Lenten pilgrimage, all of that is for another day. 

A glorious day, reminding us of God's grace. We ended the day full of gratitude that God has placed us in this place and given Bishop this mission.
May all be so blessed and so thankful.

Today began grey, clouds leaking onto the earth, God's tears for a troubled world. We said goodbye to Pt McNeill and drove out into the rain, our target Pt Alberni.
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Stopped in Roberts Lake to say hello to Lorna who had been so good to us last March, opening a cabin for an overnight stay and then refusing any pay for it. And she thought Bishop was his last name. Of course, we shared one of her delicious big cinnamon buns.

At noon, right on schedule, we arrived at Cathedral Grove to begin the walk into town. Joined by about eight members of Holy Trinity, we walked into the midst of the magnificent cedars for morning devotions and then began the 20km walk, over the 'hump'—the steepest and highest hill we had encountered either year.

Imagine our surprise and pleasure when the group included Jeanette Santorelli and her daughter Amber who had joined us last year on four different occasions.
411 metres later, we were on the down slope and on into Pt Alberni for a delicious potluck dinner with Pastor Brenda and the people of Holy Trinity. As we approached the city, the clouds disappeared, the rain stopped, and we completed our walk in glorious sunshine.

What a joyous event. Here Bishop spoke to the assembled Anglican/United congregation about the year of reconciliation in a manner that made the diocesan vision come alive. The clarity of his words was evident to everyone assembled.

We ate, we talked and listened, we gave thanks for God's many blessings.

The other day, the bishop asked if anything had specifically stood out to me from that day's journey. Of course, I am not 'walking' the journey in the same way as he and Wayne.

At one of my stops, invisible, yet only steps from the road, I came upon this picture of beauty. I was struck by the sheer perfection of this work of art by the Creator. I thought the perfection of the reflection in the lake was amazing. It makes me realize that everything God makes, whether a place or people, is a work of art. Sometimes we just need to take the time to open our eyes and our hearts to see it.

One of the joys of being with Bishop on the SJ is the occurrences that pop up unexpectedly, bringing joy and pleasure with them.
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So it was last evening when we received an invitation to a surprise birthday party for Deborah Murray. Her partner, Craig had invited several of her friends and asked us to keep Deborah busy until the guests had accumulated, and so we did as she walked with us all day.

As the evening unfolded, Craig and their son Clifton, a member of the Tenors, joined in singing "The Dance," made famous by Garth Brooks. The key message of the song lies in the line "I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance."

As I reflected on the message, I thought it a metaphor for the SJ; we could have avoided the agony of sore feet and aching muscles but in so doing we would have missed the joy of the experience of meeting so many wonderful folks?
And so we danced. All day long today, we danced.

Chief George of the Kwakiutl First Nation had told us yesterday that he had prayed for good weather. We woke this morning to a glorious day and the rain held off for the entire day--a perfect day for walking.

Rev Alastair Hunting of St Columba in Pt Hardy, joined us early in the day, Deborah and Clifton later and Rev Lincoln McKoewn at the turnoff to Fort Rupert, where we were also met by Chief Hunt's family for the walk into the home of the Kwakiutl.

At the medical centre in town, we were met by Chief Hunt and his wife, Mary, and a number of elders and band members for a very nice lunch.
As we ate, Chief Calvin Hunt drummed and sang a Kwakiutl song, written for the sacred canoe journey of his people, which seemed particularly appropriate to the SJ. Chief Hunt was joined in singing by John Jacobson, a master carver. Responding to a request from those gathered, Clifton Murray sang Hallelujah and we danced.
The joining of voices from the chief and a very talented descendant of the settler community, and the reaction to both, reinforced the objective of the SJ and illustrating what can be done when relationships are transformed and strengthened. What a joyful result, and we danced some more.

After lunch, conversation and emotional goodbyes, the walking team, now down to three, set off back to the highway and tomorrow's starting point. We asked Chief George to continue to pray for us and left knowing that he would do so.
The day of the dance, a day where we once again thanked God for the many blessings bestowed on the SJ. Blessings to all God's people.