Main YWAM Page, or to YWAM Communications, or to Main News Digest PageA modern pilgrim's way is being planned to mark the new millennium and encourage fairer sharing of the world's resources.
The 260-mile route will follow the meridian time line that passes through the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London and which will be the first part of the world to officially pass into the 21st century.
The Meridian Millennium Way is the brainchild of a Christian group which wants to use interest in the year 2000 to encourage people to think about issues of faith, and promote reconciliation and justice.
The registered charity hopes to win support from business and local authorities to set out and mark a new national trail from the north-east coast - where the Greenwich meridian first touches land as it descends from the North Pole - to Peacehaven, on the south coast.
Schools and community groups along the way are to be invited to support the project, and to get involved with fundraising projects for African countries south along the same meridian - Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana.
"We wanted to do something that would be an exciting celebration of the new millennium, but that would also leave a lasting legacy," said David Pott, leader of Youth With A Mission's Fountain Gate community in London, and Meridian Millennium Way director.
A special guide will lead walkers along the route, as well as into thinking about matters of faith as they journey. "We want to encourage people to make it something of a modern pilgrimage as they go, preparing themselves in body, mind and spirit for the new millennium."
There are plans to invite representatives from France, Spain and the African nations through which the meridian passes to take part in a joint walk along the new route during 2000, as a symbol of friendship and cooperation.
"The Greenwich Meridian also, in many ways, marks the North-South divide and the history of richer, European nations exploiting the world, so we would like to play some part in changing that," said Pott. "Raising money for educational and other projects in some of the African countries is one way of doing that."
A former teacher, Pott now teaches on and leads prayer pilgrimages throughout the United Kingdom, and last year completed a solo, 680-mile walk from Iona to Canterbury to mark the 1,400th anniversaries of saints Columba and Augustine.
Meridian Millennium Way: 58 Geoffrey Road, London SE4 1NT, UNITED KINGDOM.
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