Reflections on 1652 Country

Pendle Hill

This past June I headed to 1652 Country (once again) to see what questions might bubble up, whether any answers might be lurking, and to make new connections as I continue my journey… I have a hard time staying away.

"1652 Country" refers to an area in northwest England, specifically in Cumbria and Lancashire, associated with the early years of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. It is the region where George Fox, experienced spiritual awakenings, tested his ideas, was challenged and punished, and gathered his first followers in 1652. 

1652 Country is a beautiful part of the United Kingdom which features narrow lanes, soaring mountains, babbling brooks, and endless flocks of Herdwick sheep. 

I traveled to this area of England with Friends Council on Education and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting as part of the Quaker Pilgrimage 2025. I have been before and I will hopefully go again. It is a powerful thing I do as an educator at a Quaker School, as a Quaker at Bethesda Friends Meeting, and as a human living this current timeline. You can read more about why this trip is so powerful to me here. In the past, this trip was made by Denise the teacher and by Denise the Quaker Education clerk at a Friends School. This time, the trip was simply made by me. That made it more than a trip, it was a true pilgrimage.

Each time I have made this trip, it has been powerful. I have filled my heart, brain, and soul with so much joy, power, love, inspiration, and learning. This was no different. Except that it was. I began this pilgrimage with so much weighing on my heart and brain after a difficult year. I put a whole lot of weight (too much?) onto what I might discover with and from my fellow travelers. What follows is a simplified account of what I received.

I gave myself some queries to guide my reflections during my journey. I’ll try to weave within some of those queries as the warp and weft of my tapestry (or embroidery;)).

What does pilgrimage mean to you? What draws you here?

A walk can be an opening. The earth beneath our feet, the clouds floating above, the “stuff” in between, perhaps the rain making us uncomfortable… I think that I must have felt nervous the first time I made this trip - not because of the actual rain. I’m just not a risk-taker. Solo traveling! 😳  It must have felt important at the time or I wouldn’t have taken the risk. I do recall that I returned fully energized as a teacher in a Quaker school with a list of teaching ideas. I seek a bit of that each time I sign up. But it’s the larger possibility of the opening that draws truly me back. 

Note: It’s tricky for me to define “opening” in words here. I know what I mean. However, for readers who need a little more, here is the Google definition: An opening is not a rational deduction but a spiritual experience where a truth is revealed. It might provide a sense of direction or a call to action.

As I travel along this journey, what am I noticing? What feels familiar? What is unexpected or surprising? What questions are bubbling up?

Colthouse Meeting House

I value the pace and pattern of this particular journey in June of 2025. Each day we travel by bus, chatting and connecting - these bus rides are simultaneously overly long and entirely essential. There are silent meetings, moments of silence, and periods of silent exhaustion (the good kind). There is a routine to our meals, toast on a little wire rack at breakfast, assembling a picnic lunch each morning, and sitting with fellow travelers to sustain ourselves with delicious food and laughter at dinner. There is the darkness of night that waits until the very last minute to fall. 

I am surprised at the learning that is offered during this particular trip. Our local guides are joyful, knowledgeable, and generous. We eat, sing, laugh, and learn. They led me to deeper understandings when I boldly thought I knew so much. A great reminder to remain open.

In what ways am I open to divine guidance, even when it challenges me?

This query is a good reminder to remain open to having my mind changed. I shouldn’t go forward with one right way in mind. There are so many possible right ways…

How am I connected to those who walked before me? In what ways do I sense the spiritual presence of others - past, present, and unseen?

Swarthmoor Hall

During one morning meeting, vocal ministry in the form of song - a beautiful voice singing into the silence - pulled me back and forth into the past and out to the future. I thought about hardships and violence that early Friends must have faced. The voice sings of determination. I think of the challenges and injustices that we are called to face / reckon with today. The voice sings of humanity and love. My heart wonders about the future. The voice sings of peace and action. I will never forget this meeting and this message. I keep this voice and this song as one of my favorite souvenirs. 

What seeds of peace am I gathering and planting as I walk cheerfully over the earth? What do I hope to grow? What unplanned growth might sprout?

This is where my path takes a turn. It’s time to make sure that I am acting on the journey. It’s not meant to be a vacation with pictures in an album. It’s a provocation…

I am a teacher. That makes me an activist. (After all, teaching is a form of political activism.) I plan to plant a new Quaker garden for and with my young learners. I’m reflecting on how to make our garden inclusive, hopeful, expansive, and full of action. I’m moved by the vocal ministry to gather songs of peace and justice. (Please send me recommendations!) I’m thinking about the ways a walk might be an opening. Should I / we be walking through the Quaker garden? What does that mean? Who pollinates the garden and how? Is there compost in a Quaker garden? What would it be? 

Brigflatts Meeting House

I’ve given myself this small big first step of re-versioning the Quaker garden in kindergarten. I’m intending for this to be the first step in my continuing journey. Stay tuned… (and send me feed-forward)

*I cannot recommend this pilgrimage strongly enough. Consider joining the 2027 Friends Council on Education (in cooperation with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting) Quaker Pilgrimage. Just do it.