2009 Info > May Pilgrimage Program

May 9-18, 2009

Ask & Imagine Pilgrimage Program

This program is for young adults ages 18-26. The program is meant for people currently in College, CEGEP, University, employed, or just taking time off school to figure out the next steps in life!

In the May program, young adults with mentors, aboriginal elders, guest speakers and peer leaders explore their lives and world issues through the eyes of faith. You will further develop your own unique gifts for leadership and ministry, wherever your path is taking you.

The August program is NOT a pre-requisite – anyone between 18 and 26 can apply for the Pilgrimage. If you have attended Ask & Imagine in August, you can also apply for the Pilgrimage Program (but please see alumni note in Travel Details).

What happens at the May program?

The program begins at Huron University College. Participants stay in Brough House, a big beautiful century home on the back of the Campus. There, participants have access to a full kitchen, nature paths, a living room and dining room, and a great big field. Participants are in large residence style rooms in the house, which they share with one or two other participants of the same gender. Participants also have access to all the college facilities. While at Huron, we'll explore theological ideas, scripture, life-issues (ethics) and world issues from a faith perspective. We don't give you pat answers – participants learn to listen, question and discern.

Each participant will choose one Exploratory Group to do more in-depth learning on a particular subject. Past Exploratory topics have included Science and Religion, Media, Aboriginal Issues, Creative Arts, Theatre and Theology, and Telling our Story. As a participant, you will also discover and explore your own leadership skills and potential. We'll do this through experiential activities, hands-on workshops, seminars, personal reflection times and daily worship led by participants.

We also will be welcoming 3 expert guests to spend half a day with us. In the past these guests have included Aboriginal Leaders, Multi-faith educators, University Professors, Published authors and the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

In addition to time on-campus, the May program includes a Learning Pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a spiritual and physical journey that we do together as a community. Through traveling, experiencing new things, meeting people and undertaking new challenges, the pilgrimage will be a time of growth and learning for all participants. The pilgrimage will include:

• outdoor adventure challenge
• spiritual growth and retreat time
• an overnight in an outreach or community ministry in downtown Toronto (like, Sanctuary, L'Arche, Romero House, etc)

After the pilgrimage, we return to Huron College for a day and a half of putting it all together through integration, reflection and celebration!

We hope the spring program will fit easily into your schedule, after classes and exams are finished and before you may be starting your summer employment. We'll travel and learn together in community and discovser what "infinitely more than we can ask or imagine" could mean for our lives.

Travel details
Your travel costs are paid by us, no matter where you live in Canada. Participants from the Episcopal Church in the USA should enquire through the program office about travel subsidy. Participants traveling by car will receive gas mileage for one return journey from their home to London.

You will most likely travel by bus, car or train if you live in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, some parts of New York State or Ohio. You will probably travel by air if you are coming from elsewhere. The program administrator will make travel arrangements in consultation with you, and tickets (if required) will be sent to you prior to your departure date.

Once you have been accepted to the program, you will receive an extensive welcome package in the mail, with instructions, directions, list of what to bring, health information sheet, contact phone numbers, schedule, etc.

The Program begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th. Participants from across Canada may begin their journey to London Ontario on Friday, May 8th. The program ends on Monday, May 18th, at noon. This is the Monday of Victoria Day long weekend. If participants need to leave early, please contact us - it may be possible!

Ask & Imagine alumni applicants
Participants in the Pilgrimage Program who are alumni of Ask & Imagine from 1999 - 2004 are asked to pay 60% of their travel costs, in addition to the program fee of $600.00. You will need to discuss cost-sharing this expense with your diocese or parish if you cannot afford the additional travel amount.

If you have attended Ask & Imagine before, you may not apply for the high school program. (But you may apply for the Pilgrimage Program once you are finished high school.)

Please note that bursaries are not available for '99 -‘04 alumni.

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