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.
Morning Prayers
We are delighted to share that morning prayers will be led by Laura Evans.
Laura is a local preacher in Cardiff Circuit, with a passion for making connections between ‘the God story’ and the realities of modern life. She believes in creating spaces where people can share in authentic conversation and learn and grow together. Her work alongside vulnerable people, including asylum seekers and refugees, has taught her the importance of community.
In her spare time, she likes being out in the open air, either watching vegetables grow on her allotment (which is the source of many a sermon illustration), or walking, swimming and taking photographs – albeit not all at the same time. Indoor hobbies include knitting, baking, and writing liturgy and reflective material. You might occasionally find her in the gym – she likes to write in their café.
She also loves history and is currently in the early stages of a PhD on Methodist responses to poverty in 19th Century Wales.
An Easter Message from the MSF co-presidents:
It's hard to look at the world this Easter without feeling weighed down. We might be tempted to stay put and hide. But pilgrimage is precisely the practice of setting out anyway. Since 2013, the World Council of Churches has been inviting member churches everywhere to understand our common life as a pilgrimage of justice and peace. Not a triumphant march, but a shared journey of witness to the God of life and hope, taking steps towards transforming injustices around us.
That's what we see in Jesus throughout Holy Week. Resisting the powers of empire even to the cross, Jesus embodies God's unquenchable 'yes!' to life and love. Easter is our invitation to walk in that same hope: may it fill and accompany each of us as we journey on. Happy Easter! “Ours the cross, the grave, the skies!"
Michael and Louisa