About
Who We Are
Students, Staff, Young Adults and others in the Five College area of Western Massachusetts exploring an Ancient/Future approach to the Christian faith wherever we are in our pilgrimage with God.
Why Canterbury?
Campus groups for Anglicans and Episcopalians are often called Canterbury Clubs. This name honors the importance of the city of Canterbury, England and its bishop for the growth of Christianity in the English speaking world. More then 1400 years ago St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to convert the Anglo-Saxons. Ever since then there has been ample evidence that the church is made up of sinners and saints (and that they are the same people!)The present day is no exception to this truth. So in the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA we’ve kept the “Canterbury” but we’ve lost the “Club” with all its overtones of either Golf or student council meetings. Instead we’ve chosen to identify ourselves as pilgrims for a few reasons.
We honor the pilgrimage through different stages in life.
We are not just college students. While ministry with and through campuses is a priority Canterbury Pilgrims is not just for traditional students. We welcome all young adults and anyone who has been or will one day be a young adult, in other words: everyone. you.
We honor the pilgrimage of life together in Christ
At CP we recognize that when it comes to the institutional church we have different “relationship statuses” as they say on facebook. Some people are in a committed relationship, others are just exploring different options and for some its complicated. However, while God gives us the freedom to explore and even wander we know that in Christ God’s promises are always yes. Wherever you are in a this journey there is a place for you as we explore the holy mystery of being Christ’s body for the life of the world.
So who are we?
We are lay and ordained. we are broken and healed (at the same time)we are students and young adults, but also older adults and just plain young. When it comes to this Jesus stuff we are confused and confident and we believe there is Grace in both.