Why? Firstly because it will be a grand day out! Secondly, because St Alban was the very first Christian martyr on British soil. He gave his own life to protect a Christian priest called Amphibalus , through whom Alban had been converted to Christianity. His story reminds us of the courage and strength so many Christians both in the past and today show, and perhaps challenge us to think about our own commitment too.
The anniversary of Alban's death is marked in St Albans every year with a wonderfully colourful procession, and a service of Holy Communion in the Cathedral. This year the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will be the preacher at this. There is a parallel service for children at the same time, (children under 6 aren't admitted to the service in the cathedral ) and other services and activities during the afternoon. There will also be stalls in the Cathedral grounds, this year from St Alban's linked Diocese in the Caribbean. The day will finish with Evensong at which the Archbishop of Rouen will preach.
We'll be travelling by train, gathering at Sevenoaks train station at 8.30. People are welcome to return by train whenever they want to, so there's no need to stay for everything. For this reason we are asking people to buy their own train tickets, rather than trying to book as a group, so that people can travel by themselves if they want to. The cost for a return ticket is £16.50 with discounts for railcard holders.
We do need you to sign up to say that you are coming, so that we can book some places for the service and the children's activities, so please let me know that you want to go as soon as possible (you can sign the list on the Red Table at the back of church).
If you'd like to get a flavour of the event, there is a video below from last year's pilgrimage, and you can find out more here.
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