Methodist Summer Fellowship
Sunday 2nd - Friday 7th August 2026
Theme for 2026: Pilgrimage
The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick
Confirmed Key Notes
We are delighted that David Pott will be a keynote speaker. David developed The Two Saints Way: A pilgrimage route between the two Cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield and also The Northern Saints Trails in the North-East. David will talk about these and also the role that pilgrimage can have in supporting mental health.
We are also thrilled that Rachel Parkinson and Inderjit Bhogal have agreed to take on keynote speaker roles, both having great experience of long distance pilgrimage. Inderjit was the Chief Executive of the Corrymeela Community in Northern Ireland and will also talk to us about how we can be pilgrims without taking a step out of our own sitting room!
Inderjit will lead us on a mini pilgrimage around the beautiful grounds of the Hayes Centre, and we will be joined by singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones. In June this year Gareth walked from Lindisfarne to Durham along St Oswalds Way and The Way of Light, writing songs on his journey. He will share some of these with us in an evening concert (see https://www.garethdavies-jones.com/home).
Bible Study
We are delighted to announce that our daily bible studies will be led by Rev Canon Dr Sally Welch.
Sally Welch has been a parish priest for over twenty five years, serving in a variety of contexts, including city centre and cathedral but mostly with a heart for rural ministry. Throughout her ministry she has been a pilgrim, having journeyed along routes in both the United Kingdom and Europe, both on her own and as a group leader. Sally has written a number of books on pilgrimage (including Pilgrim Journeys: Pilgrimage for walkers and armchair travellers) reflecting on both the inner and outer journey and how each inform the other. She believes that a pilgrim spirituality can shape and form individuals and communities, enabling them to connect more deeply to their environment, their neighbour and their own selves.
A Christmas message from our MSF presidents 2026:
As we move towards Christmas, we’re following a sort of “pilgrimage”: the story of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem, the shepherds hurrying to the stable, the Wise Men journeying from the East – all in the midst of a Roman Empire on the move. It wasn’t a comfortable pilgrimage that ended peacefully in Bethlehem, but one that led to exile in Egypt, fleeing senseless violence. As we remember their story, we can’t help but think of those making forced journeys today, and of the continuing violence in the region where Jesus was born.
Yet Christmas invites us to celebrate hope. In Jesus, we meet a God who comes as a pilgrim – vulnerable, asking to be received, coming to meet us. May we welcome the God who dwells among us this Christmas, and in turn extend a welcome to all who seek refuge and hope. Happy Christmas!
Louisa and Michael