Location: Hexworthy, Dartmoor.
Weather: Sun, sun, sun (with a spot of wind).
The Wild Church camp, at Huccaby Farm, consisted of 1 tipi tent and 2 small tents, centred around a fire pit and beside the rushing River Dart, flowing and falling over black rock. Some pitched up for the night while others came and went. After our first shared meal followed by a pot of tea, we set off walking with Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day” in our hearts…
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention…
How to be idle and blessed.
(Extracted from “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver)
Down the valley we roamed, where the river flows as stream, then further along where stream becomes river and trickle becomes roar. The distant sound of rushing water following us as we walked became close encounter as we met the river in her force. Here, silent wanderers reunited to share experiences, creating a rich mosaic of the landscape through the eyes of many, each one expressing the uniqueness of relationship with the world in which we walked; each a unique prayer of the land and water. Climbing higher, reaching Bench Tor, we found the river again at a distance, sound and vision travelling to the heights of where we stood.
Returning to the camp, the fire was lit and sausages, burgers and veggies placed atop the burning embers, as the sky darkened and the air cooled. Fire for cooking became fire for storytelling, as we sat and entered the story of the Archangel St. Raphael, gifted to the group by Helen. Opposite our camp stood the only church in the UK named in honour of Raphael, whose name means “God Heals”. The darkness and slumber of the night crept upon us as we climbed under the shelter of canvas and drifted into sleep with the music of the river singing to our dreams.
The next morning, many voices spoke of a surprisingly good night’s sleep, and soon the kettle was boiling, fruit buns toasting and muesli munching. The church of St Raphael beckoned us from our morning musings, no formal service but welcoming of our informal and collaborative gathering. Offering her leadership, Sam introduced the simple four-fold structure at the heart of traditional Holy Communion services, and invited us to co-create the content that called. Each person empowered to bring their own sense of spirit, a service plan was born flowing from gather to engage to share to bless. Beginning with gratitude for the church and those who care for it, then a prayer to St Raphael, which became an emergent hymn created by Rob and sung together as a group, then a piece of teaching on St Raphael, followed by poems of the river, of life, of quiet… and eased into quiet with a piece of choral music, the quiet becoming a time of shared meditation. Prayers of intercession from Sue brought us out of quiet and into the world of voice, speaking prayers of peace, love and justice for the world. The peace was then shared amongst us in affectionate and appreciative hugs, and we ended standing together in a circle with arms around one another and feet facing the centre, showing a circle of friends, and a growing community sharing in co-created and collaborative sacred space.
Returning to the camp, inspired with the spirit of Raphael, we shared our final meal, and basked in the sunshine and tranquillity of our Wild Church camp, and after packing away the tents (and a swim in the river for some) we parted ways and made the return to our respective homes.
So makes the 7th leg of the River Dart Wild Church pilgrimage, travelling further along the Dart and into the heart of Dartmoor.
The river Dart flowing on my left side
By the camping field – ever-present sound
Rippling bouncing swerving catching
Black boulders dark light.
The sound forgotten when not heard…
And then you’re out on Bench Tor
Lifted high on the granite chair
And suddenly you remember
With the burst of cuckoo song
Floating up from the wood
That the glint of the river far below
Runs with its own song
Filling ears hearts being
With a music that speaks of
Flow, forgiveness,
Soothing grace,
Dance, joy,
Rush, leap,
Remembrance,
Life alive.
(Poem created by Helen Raphael Sands besides the river at our camp)
Blog post written by Beth
Photos courtesy of Beth and Rob