In 1925, congregations from a variety of Protestant churches came together to form The United Church of Canada. This amalgamation was, as Rev. Aaron Miechkota of Cressy Glenora United Church puts it, a response to the times. “World War I had just ended. Soldiers were returning, the Depression was coming on. People needed to gather together to face this serious moment in time. So they thought, instead of being divided, let’s be united, face things together.”

The national Church has been marking this anniversary, but every local parish has made its own plans as well. Members of Cressy Glenora United, led by Rev. Miechkota, are planning a communal pilgrimage to Sandbanks’ Dunes Trail on Monday 29 September.

 “The United Church for 100 years has been about making a wide tent. The question for a minister like me becomes, ‘how can I connect with people?’ People with a similar interest in spirituality, faith, philosophy.

“The reason for the pilgrimage is, frankly, to get out of the church. To go to nature. The Dunes Trail has a sense of timelessness or being beyond our regular time.”

The communal aspect of the pilgrimage is reflected in the meal to be shared at the end, known as an “agapē meal.”

“The early Christians came from very diverse backgrounds, all weaving together. And what united people was what unites people today, which is a meal, right?

“Can you get together with people who are different from you? Can you sit around a table and enjoy a meal?”

The pilgrimage is a special event to nurture the very ordinary values that make any community strong: kindness, communication, hospitality, inclusion.

Rev. Miechkota feels the call to be united in the world today is as strong as it was a hundred years ago. “Let’s connect ourselves to the past, connect to each other.”

The cost of registration is $20, but bursaries are available to those unable to afford it. Early registration is encouraged. Visit https://cressyglenorauc.wixsite.com/website/pilgrimage.