24th May 2017: The Eve of Departure

After a busy day finishing arrangements and packing, we gathered in our lady chapel at St John's where the hospital cross has rested since February 2015. After some time in quiet prayer, we said the Lord's Prayer together before walking up the road to the County hospital. The cross was carried by Gemma, a member of our church family, who is a midwife and works in Birmingham's Heartlands' hospital.
At 5.30pm we joined 20-30 people gathered in the Pilgrim chapel at County hospital. The sun was blazing through the stained glass window and down from the skylights, making for a very warm opening worship.
We were welcomed by Leo Varquez, chaplain at County, who spoke these words over the Walk:
     "We're praying here this evening with purpose, praying to God to fulfill what he has already begun. And praying for the Pilgrims as God is stiring them to take their prayers beyond the walls of our church buildings.
      As they put feet to their prayers, we pray that they may walk in godly vision as in the Old Testament when Joshua and Caleb walked throughout the Promised Land with a desire to see it as God saw it.
     God is already on the move, we're not praying here to get God started. He's already doing good things; and He has promised to do even better things, both great and small. Instead of holding off the worst, our praying can ask for God to bring on the best for our NHS."

We went home to our rest this evening with Leo's quote ringing in our hearts and thoughts:
    "When a human being works.... a human being works; 
      when a human being prays...God works."

Gemma carries the cross from St John's

Pilgrim Chapel at County Hospital