Information on International Pilgrimages with Youth

March 16, 2003 China Pilgrimage Journal

Submitted by Barbara Godwin and Jane Joyce

After a restful night on the twenty-third floor of our hotel we began our day by gathering for the reading of daily scripture. Today’s lesson is Psalm 22:23-31. This is one of our spiritual practices we used on our pilgrimage. We also were attentive to journaling, Lectio Divina, awareness examen, centering prayer, gazing prayer, and the labyrinth. Everyone had their own way of focusing their thoughts and prayers.  One of us made beaded prayer bracelets before leaving home to represent family and friends she wanted to pray for. The visual and tactile reminder kept her prayers frequent and focused. Another carried a touchstone that reminded her of God’s presence in the lives around her.

Traveling in our bus on streets packed with people, bikes, and cars we arrived at the airport. Not hearing much about what is happening in the world many of us read the “China Daily” on today’s one hour return flight to Bejing. Concern over the possible war in Iraq has been heavy on all our hearts.

The first stop was Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the center of Bejing.  The image which comes to mind when we think about Tiananmen Square is the pictures we have seen taken during the riots of 1989.  But the area is about so much more.  Tiananmen Square is surrounded by The People’s Congress Hall, which is currently in session, having just picked its new leader, the National Congress Historic Museum, the Front Gate, and the entrance to the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City was built in 1420 and was occupied by 24 emperors until 1911 when China’s government changed from feudal dynasty to modern society.  Walking the three quarter mile from south to north, we learned much about the lives of emperors in China and how they lived in the Forbidden City.  The emperors rarely left the city and very few people visited. The imperial household including the emperor, the empress, consorts, concubines, eunuchs and palace maids consisted of upwards of 6000 members alone.  The palace guard of 36 battalions, also consisted of 6000 members.  With that many people living there, who needs visitors.  Fine elegantly decorated halls and two extravagant palaces, kept us fascinated as we meandered along.  Today parts of the Forbidden City are occasionally used for special ceremonies.

Arriving at Xiu Shui Market every stall was packed with things to buy; luggage, clothing, linens, shoes, purses, scarves and much more.  The very narrow street was crowded with shoppers, foreigners and vendors who would not let you alone and kept grabbing your arm as you walked by, trying to entice you to buy something from their stall.  Trying to bargain with our minimal language skill made it a shopping experience that was not only interesting but quite a challenge.

Off to dinner.  We arrived at a restaurant which specializes in Mongolian Hot Pot and is very well known in the city.  Hot Pot is a large vessel of charcoal in another vessel of boiling stock.  We were given many small plates of thinly sliced mutton, beef, greens, cabbage, bean sprouts, tofu squares and bean curd.  These are dropped in to the boiling stock for less then a minute and then enjoyed with a peanut sauce.  This is a fun group meal with everyone cooking right at the table.

The evening ended with a special worship.  We all shared a time of special affirmations for each other and our time together, but we would like to add our special thanks for the energy, inspiration and organization of our dedicated leaders:

Xiaoling Zhu      Area Executive for East Asia Pacific Office of Global Ministries

Zhang Jing (Cathy)   Staff member of Chinese Christian Council - Overseas Relations    

Ben Broadbent     Associate Pastor of First Congregational UCC – Colorado Springs, CO.

Megan Weymouth    Coordinator of Educational Ministries, United Congregational UCC

                                     Middletown, Rhode Island

Many thanks - during our pilgrimage we were blessed in so many ways by the work that you have done.

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