Group of 60 walk in annual pilgrimage at Cairncastle

Participants worshipped together for 15 minutes in each church, lighting a candle to symbolise their common faith in Jesus, the light of the world. Then, as they walked between the churches, the fellowship continued with informal conversations, finishing up with tea and coffee in the Ballygally hall.

In St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, parishioner Allan Jones was interviewed about his experiences as a conflict resolution consultant in Uganda and Ghana, while in Cairncastle Presbyterian Church, Rev Anne Tolland organised members from each church to read Scripture passages about God’s light shining in a dark world.

In Cairncastle Old Presbyterian Church, Rev Lena Cockcroft read the account of Peter and John bringing healing to the lame man at the temple, and spoke about the need for everyone to take account for those who are marginalised, while at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fr Aidan Kerr and Sister Catherine Kealy led the group in reflections on the theme of light shining in the darkness.

Coastal Clergy Group member Roger Thompson, the rector of St Patrick’s, Cairncastle, with All Saints’, Craigyhill, said: “I must offer my sincere apologies to anyone who was confused by my submitting the wrong date in last week’s Larne Times – but despite that it was fantastic to see so many people joining in the event.

“The Coastal Clergy group are committed to deepening our inter-church links in this community and we are very grateful to the community associations in both Cairncastle and Ballygally for facilitating the refreshments afterwards.”