Pilgrimage to St. Andrews Bemerton

On Monday our group made a pilgrimage to the parish church of George Herbert, an early 17th century poet and priest.  His poems have become some of the most treasured hymns we sing today including "Come My Way, My Truth, My Life", "King of Glory, King of Peace" and "God of Love, My Shepherd Is".  His words have also become beloved anthems including "Love Bade Me Welcome". 

He became a priest late in his short life and served only one parish, in Bemerton just outside Salisbury.  A dedicated group of Herbert devotees have created the George Herbert Heritage Center (https://www.georgeherbert.org.uk/) to preserve his memory and legacy.  We were lucky to be able to meet with them at St. John's Place, about 1.5 miles from Salisbury.  Mr. Peter Webster gave a short talk about George Herbert and we were able to view the displays of information about George Herbert. 

We then took the short walk to the tiny church, St Andrew's Bemerton where we were greeted by Canon Judy Rees, founder of the Herbert Heritage Center and one of the original 32 women ordained in the Church of England in 1994.  We were thrilled to present her with a tapestry of George Herbert made by the Keiskamma Art Project in South Africa.  Bill and Kay Gilcher have had a long relationship with Keiskamma and spearheaded the gorgeous work.  There are two tapestries and one will now be in place at St. Andrew's Bemerton and the other will reside at St. Andrews, College Park MD.

Our final offering to the memory and legacy of George Herbert was the choir singing the anthem "Love Bade Me Welcome" within the walls of the church that Herbert loved so much.