Bishop of NGI, +Reginald led the Eucharist at 9:00am this morning followed by an ‘Audience’ where each of us gave testimony, followed by the local clergy and senior managers of the diocese. One asked Revd Sally M about women priests and +Reginald showed his openness but thought such a move was a few years away in PNG. We had many opportunities to chat with local people. We’re now back in our guest house sitting under the air conditioning before the ‘guided tour’ of the area this afternoon.
Warriors Welcome into West New Britain
Arrived in Kimbe, which is the capital of the province of West New Britain in Papua New Guinea, and the largest settlement on the island. The bustling town of Kimbe is the third largest port in Papua New Guinea and is the fastest growing city in the South Pacific.
A welcome lunch in wonderful PNG hospitality style.
Bishop of NGI, +Reginald led the Eucharist at 9:00am this morning followed by an ‘Audience’ where each of us gave testimony, followed by the local clergy and senior managers of the diocese.
One asked Revd Sally M about women priests and +Reginald showed his openness but thought such a move was a few years away in PNG. We had many opportunities to chat with local people.
We’re now back in our guest house sitting under the air conditioning before the ‘guided tour’ of the area this afternoon.
Rev’d Phil Charlesworth
A beautiful flight, albeit a few hours late in Papua New Guinea style of ‘expect the unexpected’; the pilgrims had magnificent views of this beautiful country set in the South Pacific Ocean at latitude 5 degrees . West New Britain is a tropical island to the east of the mainland of PNG set between the Solomon Sea and the Bismarck Sea.
As a tropical island the rainforests can be seen from the photo and more recent palm oil plantations. The volcanic hills are seen in the distance as PNG lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and small volcanoes are often smoking!
Travel is still hard for many people. Those who do travel, use the few tarmac roads, boats and canoes, with flying being a possibility for some.
An aerial view on the flight with Qantas from Brisbane. Rosemary took this photo and had a great window seat for spectacular views.
After travelling twenty four hours across the world our pilgrims have found each other in the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.
Phil Charlesworth the organiser of the pilgrimage says…
‘It was like choosing the disciples today: up at 4:30am to go to airport to pick up the other Revd Sally & Revd Rachel who needed to sleep after 27 hr trip from Norwich via Hong Kong; wait for bishop Graham, Rosemary (& Mark from NZ) to arrive from Brisbane; wait for Diana to arrive from friends in Port Moresby.
We met as a group with Mark (NZ) and bishop Andrew (NZ) for planning and evening prayer before supper (see photo). Up at 5:45 tomorrow as we fly later to West New Britain.’
The latest version of the itinerary gives an overview of the places the pilgrims will visit, travel arrangements and places to stay.
Martyr’s Church, Kimbe 2015
In September 2025 pilgrims from the Diocese of Norwich will travel half the way around the world to visit Papua New Guinea. In the Land of the Unexpected they will meet fellow Christians in communities and worship. This will be an amazing opportunity and a life changing experience.
You can share their journeys through this record of the pilgrimage. As the travels unfold be with the pilgrims in images and in thoughts. It’s going to be a great experience.
Sit back and enjoy the journey from your own home.
Rev’d Sue Martin
On Maundy Thursday our benefice in rural Norfolk has two groups of pilgrims walking through on their way to Walsingham, an ancient site of pilgrimage. There they join the other groups, called legs, to take part in worship at Easter.
This year I joined the Northern Leg from Nottingham at St Botolph’s Church Grimston for sausage rolls and worship and then at St Nicholas Gayton with the Ely Leg, from Ely, for tea and worship.
A real joy for me was to follow them on the walk for some time across the Norfolk countryside. It was a beautiful warm April day and we shared songs and conversations before they went on their way to Harpley for the night before the final journey on Good Friday to the Shrine at Walsingham.
Rev’d Sue Martin
A trip of a lifetime ! In search of tidewater glaciers.I have been interested in glaciology since I studied geography and geomorphology as a student.
On a visit to Vancouver to see the sights and meet with cousins and friends, it seemed the perfect time to add on a 3 hour flight north to Alaska. On August 27th 2024, Emily and I flew first to Vancouver and then onto Anchorage, Alaska on 30th August.
In Anchorage we joined the Alaska Railroad train to Whittier, Prince William Sound on a scenic route along the coast and into the mountains.
At Whittier we embarked on a smallish boat with 80 other people and sped along College Sound until we came in sight of hanging glaciers and then the tidewater glacier of Harvard Glacier.
Amazing sight, had everyone in silence as we gazed in awe at the sight of this spectacular glacier, blue ,white and grey, serene and full of power.
Harvard Glacier is 20 miles long, 200 ft tall at the waters edge and over 30,000 years old.
As we gazed in silence we heard the sounds of the ice groaning or like a gun shot as the ice then fell into the sea.This glacier is still advancing and gaining in its size unlike so many.
More to follow….
Rev’d Sue Martin
Bread is a basis of the food that we need, it is a staple ingredient to keep ourselves healthy. It is like a mainstay to making sure that the morning starts well or at some time in the day we are provided for. Think of all the times you eat bread….
In the gospel of John for todays readings on 11th Sunday in Trinity Jesus says;
‘I am the bread of life’ ‘whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty’.
I’ve just retuned from a holiday in Croatia and every morning it was my job to cycle the mile along the edge of the Adriatic to buy the bread and croissants. Not too hard a job!
Every day we shared the bread as a provision, it gave us all joy and a chance to talk together… read more on sermons.
Rev’d Sue Martin
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