‘Gweddiau Tir Gwyllt’
Contemplative Walking as an act of worship ….
During the recent years of restricted living, many of us have rediscovered afresh the way God speaks to us in the beauty of his landscape.
On the first Sunday of every month (apart from December), we offer ‘contemplative walking’ as an emerging community that enjoys gentle conversation on a circular route, with ‘ponder spots’. It is open to those of faith, those seeking and those of none. We believe that at wherever you are on your journey of faith, God speaks through companionship as we listen to one another and ‘step out’ together, through stillness when we stop (or sometimes when we walk a section without speaking), and through the sights and sounds of his creation.
The next gathering will be on Sunday January 4th, 2026. If you would like to be on the mailing list that sends out all the details, register your interest on this link.
From January, we are offering an additional monthly gathering on second Sundays called Walking Further – a place to explore faith more deeply in a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere. Register your interest by sending an e-mail via this link.
Here’s a little taster of previous ‘Worship in the Wild’ gatherings:
Our last ‘Worship in the Wild’ of 2025 was an evocative walk in autumn sunshine to the waterfalls above Dolgarrog on 2nd November, the 100th anniversary of the dam disaster.
A gentle August afternoon on the beach, with time to take a walk through a labyrinth (including a number of thought-provoking and reflective stopping points).
July’s ascent of Pen y Castell was a great experience. Low lying cloud would often break to show us the majestic mountains and verdant valley. We found just the right shelter from the wind when we needed it for flasks of coffee and holy pondering – and picked so many bilberries!
1st June: We battled with the wind and experienced changeable weather, but the wildlife and beautiful, rugged coastline in Cemlyn still proved a very memorable setting for Mo to help us bring together the connected themes of ‘hiraeth’ and exile. Thanks to her and Sue Jennings for images below.
It was a gloriously sunny afternoon’s circular walk through the Conwy Valley, for May’s ‘Worship in the Wild’. We found the metaphor of ‘valleys’ in life as really rich: both as a place of overwhelming flood and darkness and creativity and growth.
For our April ‘Worship in the Wild’, we went up to the spectacular scenery of Eigiau on a gloriously sunny day to contemplate the dam disaster which claimed sixteen lives in the village of Dolgarrog below, a hundred years ago.
We are grateful to Peter who led the walk and to Helen who shared this poem, written when scoping the route with him:
A Moment in Time
We climbed the stile
‘Look up’ he said
Don’t just study the path
With a nod to Scripture came her reply
‘I lift my eyes to the hills’
And there in the distance the wall
We reached the gap, a bird soared
Stark contrast, in silence we stood
No terror today of the weight of water
The wilderness of the empty reservoir
We gazed in shaded light
Upon the empty source of such destruction
Midday we retraced our steps
It seemed a little lighter
We descended the mountain
A moment in time
When two people walked
The moon had made a partial eclipse
She recalled the Psalm
The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night
They thanked God for his presence this day
Our March contemplative walk was a feast for the eyes, head and heart – glorious vistas and walking ancient routes above Penmaenmawr, as Tim encouraged us to ponder, where do we get our direction?
Our Februrary gathering gave us plenty to ponder, from the different gateways and changing landscape along our route along Llyn Geirionydd, to the remote, ancient church of Llanrhychwyn.
Our first gathering of 2025 was delayed by a week, due to snow and icy conditions. The glorious winter sunshine of the following weekend was worth the wait! A beautiful coastal walk along the shingle beach near Abergwyngregyn, on the theme of ‘gifts’ …
2024 …
November’s gentle walk on the Little Orme, led by Rosemary Mart, allowed us to contemplate Psalm 65, go fossil-hunting and even see a newborn seal pup in Angel Bay!
On October 6th we escaped the rain again (!) with a thoughtful walk up to the site of Deganwy Castle, which affords such great views of the Conwy estuary and beyond. The discussion on God as our fortress, bringing resilience in the face of life’s challenges, was particularly honest and profound. With thanks to Tim Morris for leading us so sensitively.
September’s walk around Llyn Elsi included poetry and contemplation, with autumnal misty views of the Snowdonia range in the distance, some lovely new relationships made – and a quick escape from the rain at the end!
In August, we made a labyrinth on Deganwy beach ….
We were so grateful to Mo for preparing this beautiful labyrinth. It was very moving to see people slowly walking their own prayerful path. Participant Kim wrote this fitting poem in response:
Some narrow
Some wide paths
Walking together
Walking where others have walked
Praying alongside the view
Praying in view of others
Dog walkers, tourists, beachcombers
Tide out
Beach bare
Wet sand
Prayers sinking into
Conversations with the Father
Walking around
Not lost
Following
July’s walk up Tal-y-Fan was led by Peter and Rosemary as we tackled a route at the more challenging end of what we do. It was a heady mix of inclines and rocky descents, great vistas and moody skies, faith conversations and a deep sense of God at work in our stopping places.
Another beautiful morning’s walk in sunshine, June’s walk was along the Crafnant valley to the lakeside of Llyn Geirionydd where we used Psalm 36 for contemplation, before lunch together back in Trefriw.
In gloriously warm Spring sunshine, for our May session Mo Spear led us on a walk along the Menai Strait, through the hidden treasure that is the Glan Faenol nature reserve. We explored the theme of ‘lost and found’ – and even found the hidden lions!
We were given a generous invitation to Ty Mawr Wybrnant for April’s ‘Worship in the Wild’ by Lois Mai Jones (Senior Programming and Partnership Officer, National Trust) She gave us new insights into the life of Bishop William Morgan (1545-1604), translator of the Bible into the Welsh language, who was born there. We were able to reflect on how the places in which we grew up have influenced us, and in our walk afterwards at the ‘ponder spot’ overlooking the Wybrnant Valley we used different translations of Psalm 121 (including his!) to contemplate God’s presence in the ‘valleys and hills’ of life.
February’s ‘Worship in the Wild’ was a walk above Llyn Padarn. We reflected on the hardships and faith of those who worked in the slate quarry, the beauty of the mountains, lake, woods and streams, and the signs of hope we see in our God of the past, present and future.
The first Worship in the Wild of 2024 took place on Deganwy beach. Rosemary Mart led us into beachcombing on a beautifully sunny winter’s afternoon, followed by varied and insightful reflection (and coffee and mince pies!) Happy New Year, Wilders!
2023 …
In our November walk above Capel Curig, we reflected that creation itself is our cathedral when we ‘bring the outside in’ … the ‘in’ being where God abides in us and how we can make a deep connection with our Creator when we immerse ourselves in his landscape.
September’s ‘Worship in the Wild’ was in Penmon – the site of St Seiriol’s 6th century Celtic monastic settlement, which then became an Augustinian Priory. There was plenty of space to contemplate aspects of the monastic life, in glorious sunshine.
On August 6th, we focussed on rootedness through times of change and renewal, noting the signs of old mining works and walking around Llyn y Parc, through the Gwydyr Forest.
On July 2nd a small, intrepid band of ‘wilders’ experienced the exhilaration of 40mph winds at Y Drum. It gave us a great perspective on the awesome nature of God – and the wind of his Spirit! Images of the great views we enjoyed by Tarnya Newell, Mo Spear and Eryl Parry.
On May Bank Holiday weekend we enjoyed a ‘Forest Lakes’ walk in Gwydyr Forest, aided particularly by Mo Spear’s knowledge of timber! We gained perspective through the combination of workplace (the forest and old lead mines) and a view to the hills beyond …
Our April walk was led by Julian Thompson, the Warden of Pensychnant Nature and Conservation centre. We were able to reflect beautifully on time and where we place our roots.
Our March walk was around Llyn Cefni, through the Dingle. As we strolled through this ‘hidden gem’ of a circular route, in the centre of Anglesey, we considered the story of St Cyngar. We even had the delight of spotting red squirrels!
Our February walk was to ‘Cadair Ifan Goch’, a viewing spot above Maenan from where we could see the Anerigs, the Glyders and the Carneddau mountains – all bathed in glorious sunshine! Naming the mountains reminded us of verses in the Bible where God tells us how much we are known and valued by him, called by name as he created and knows every craggy rock in that panoramic view.
The first gathering of 2023 was a New Year’s Day walk along Llanfairfechan Beach. We were blessed by the wonder of rainbows and such an insightful exploration of the shells we collected, led by Rosemary Mart. That discussion covered biology, material science, maths, art and design – God’s handiwork illuminated by such brilliant shared perspectives!
2022 …
The last walk of the year was through the Gwydyr Forest, when Mo Spear beautifully led us in considering how the management of forest can inspire our prayers and give perspective on when we know a season to be past.
October’s uplifting walk in beautiful autumn sunshine, was through the Conwy Valley – rivers, woods and fields, heritage, thoughtful insights and prayer; times of chatter, times of silence (with thanks to Aine and Peter for images)
September’s walk was to Llanddwyn island to hear stories of Celtic saints and experience a simple communion at the cross, with the beautiful backdrop of the Snowdonia mountain range.
In August we enjoyed slow, contemplative walking through a labyrinth on Conwy Morfa beach, beautifully put together by Mo Spear.
July’s circular walk from Llanbedr – y – Cennin incorporated Peter Barnes’ sculpture garden, the southern slope of Pen-y-Gaer and ending at St Peter’s church – the silent walk through bracken prompting a rich discussion of metaphors for life.
In June we walked the beautiful circular route at Aber Falls, where we pondered the questions: What draws so many people to a waterfall? What can that teach us about helping people to be drawn to God? We enjoyed sharing insights, gentle conversation and all in such outstanding beauty.
May Bank Holiday Monday on the banks of the Menai Straits – companionship, prayer and the story of St Tysilio.
In April we enjoyed a beautiful Sunday morning on the Great Orme, stopping at various points to consider the journey towards Easter.
In March, moving prayers for peace under the 4,000 year old boughs of Llangernyw’s yew tree, a wonderful time of sharing stories of faith and prayers of thanksgiving along part of the North Wales Pilgrims Way.
February 2022: a gloriously exhilarating and memorable, particularly experiencing the power of the waves and St Gwenfaen’s Well, long associated with prayers for healing of mental illness. New friendships made, too, with incredible hospitality by our hosts in Rhoscolyn.
2021 …
Last summer we loved time together with our Creator God on Deganwy beach, exploring and being blessed by circling prayer – marked gloriously with cairn-making by our youngest worshipper
Last October we took a pilgrimage-style walk to a local viewing point, taking time to listen and notice at ‘ponder stops’ along the way. God rewarded us with his beautiful sign of promise.
Thanks to Angela Saunders, Peter Tattersall and Tarnya Newell for these beautiful images of our pilgrimage walk to Pen-y-Gaer in November, when we experienced all the drama and wonder of light on the land.
For those who enjoy reflective worship, you may also want to come to the hilltop church of LLangelynnin once a month for Celtic Praise (Easter to October). Over the winter, candle-lit Celtic Praise happens in the beautiful ancient church of St Benedict’s Gyffin. Click here for details.
When we were not able to meet together, we began to find a creative way to connect with one another.
‘Cairns and Contemplation’ – ‘Meini a Myfyrdod’
What3words is an app which has mapped the world into 3m squares, assigning each a unique combination of 3 words. On a ‘Worship in the Wild (Conwy)’ facebook group, we shared a location – with 3 words – where we had prayed, and enjoyed the peace of contemplation. There we began to build a cairn of stones, so that others in the group could enjoy finding it, pray there and add their own stones.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23: 2-3
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