The End of the Line

Yesterday afternoon, the Pedaling Pilgrimage finally arrived at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh where Presbyterians were streaming in for opening worship. It was a difficult last day, adding on over 15 extra miles on some difficult trails. But the Sweaty Sheep persevered, riding in to Pittsburgh with the help of friendly guides pointing out the way across the bridge to the Convention Center. Only two flat tires happened on the last 10 miles, forcing one cyclist to ride in on a flat tire - but it didn't deter the team, who wouldn't quit until General Assembly was in sight.

The cyclists rode in to the Convention Center to a warm welcome from Presbyterians and passersby alike, grateful that the long trip was finally over. As worship began, the bikes went in to storage for a few hours until the opening plenary session. Then, when Moderator Cynthia Bolbach asked where the Stated Clerk was so that the session could get started, Ryan Althaus rode in with Gradye Parsons on the back of a purple tandem bicycle, followed by Philip Lotspeich, Alex Becker, Peter Barnes-Davies, and Chris Valentine - all on bicycles. It was a short ride, but a great way to end the week-long trip and a wonderful introduction to the 1,001 New Worshiping Communities initiative of which Team Sweaty Sheep  is a part.

Now the bikes are being put away, and the business of General Assembly is starting. But this isn't the end for Team Sweaty Sheep - it's only the beginning!

Did you follow our trip online? Get yourself a T-shirt!

Want to pull off stunts like this in your own presbytery or church? Get in touch with Ryan or Alex at ryan@sweatysheep.com or alex@sweatysheep.com.

The Power of Prayer

Safe in Steubenville! After a scorching 90 mile trip, four Sweaty Sheep cyclists made it to First Westminster Presbyterian Church in Steubenville, OH, just across the river from West Virginia. It was a harrowing ride today, with gravel roads, roads under construction, roads that didn’t actually exist, and many extra minutes spent staring at the map trying to figure out where we were, and where we were going! There were some difficult times, but when the going got especially tough, the team turned to prayer. Saying a prayer for safety and thanksgiving has never felt more appropriate then when it’s said on the side of the road after biking for 40+ miles.
The ride continued, but then, when the team finally began entering the outskirts of Steubenville, tires began to pop. Three popped tires in all, and every one of them on the same wheel – a wheel on the bike of Ryan Althaus. It just seemed that Ryan was not meant to bike in the final 6-9 miles to the church, so he did the only thing he could do after riding 80+ miles in the heat: he ran the rest of the way in.
Once everyone was safely at the church, we were treated to a wonderful dinner prepared by the members of First Westminster Presbyterian, who came out in force to show us their hospitality. A great discussion ensued after a presentation on Sweaty Sheep and the Pedaling Pilgrimage (and a round of Amazing Grace), which shows the curiosity and energy present in so many Presbyterian congregations.
As night drew nearer, rain came to lower the temperature – but it stopped in time for a walk across a bridge over the river and some time to enjoy the sun setting over the hill, the cliffs in the east glowing red in the twilight, and a full rainbow outlining the gateway to Pittsburgh. Can you feel the excitement in the air? General Assembly opening worship is tomorrow, and Sweaty Sheep will be there! There are so many ways to join in – whether in person, via Twitter or Facebook, or live streaming – will you be there too?

There is a Place of Quiet Rest...

near to the heart of God!

The Sweaty Sheep cyclists had a refreshing day today despite the heat. Well rested from a stay at the Econolodge of Heath, Ohio and fortified by a breakfast provided by "Rev" of First Presbyterian Church in Newark, they took of for the 40-some mile trek from the Granville area to Coshocton. The trek was slower today, keeping everyone healthy and happy in the 90+ degree heat. Appropriately, the first (and only) stop was the Dairy Queen of Frazeysburg, Ohio. What was supposed to be a short water break turned into an extended playtime when ice cream was eaten and the support crew got a chance to try out their bicycle legs!

Unbeknownst to the cyclists, Chris Valentine, who had ridden the first day of the trek, was on his way to join up with the team in Frazeysburg. After being reunited with the other riders, the group took off from Dairy Queen and headed to historic Coshocton, where, to the disappointment of the AT&T customers in the group, there is a large gap in cell phone coverage. While this has not turned into a Wendell Berry-esque technology fast (as evidenced by this blog post), the quiet atmosphere of the small town of Coshocton (population 11,682) has certainly been enhanced. A conversation about new ministry and a devotion with members of the Presbyterian Church of Coshocton, a trip to a nearby waterpark, a dinner of loaded porktatoes (you have to eat it to believe it) and shortcake, and a trip to the local frozen custard stand didn't hurt, either.

The atmosphere won't stay this relaxed, however. Tomorrow is the big day - an 80+ mile trip in scorching heat that will tax the tired legs of the pedaling pilgrims. Your prayers are especially coveted during the ride on Friday!

The Midnight Visitors

Luke 11:5-10
And Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

The Pedaling Pilgrimage left Xenia this morning encouraged by the flatness of Ohio and the beauty of the bike trails, but they realized the night before that they had no real plans to connect with a church once they arrived in the Granville, Ohio area. Enter First Presbyterian Church of Newark, Ohio and "Rev" Ellsworth, who welcomed the Sweaty Sheep to a midweek prayer service with open arms. When "Rev" was called upon late Tuesday night, he invited the group to join them for the Wednesday service and dinner. The bikers didn't have to be persistent like the character in Jesus' parable with Rev and the congregation of First Presbyterian. The congregation practiced radical hospitality - welcoming in sweaty bikers to worship and offering up their knowledge of the area and even (though reservations had already been made elsewhere) offered up their homes for sleep and a hot shower.

The great part about a connectional church like the PC(U.S.A.) is that it connects us with people across the country and around the world. It was a beautiful ride today through the Columbus area, flat and fast and full of scenery - but the welcome at the end of the ride was even more beautiful.

Open The Eyes of Our Hearts

A much easier trek awaits the bikers today as they travel from Cincinnati to Xenia, OH. They were joined by Roger Dermody, the PC(U.S.A.) Deputy Executive Director for Mission and by Stan Gockel, pastor of Bellbrook Presbyterian Church. The ride in to Cincinnati last night was tough and a big change from the open roads and green spaces of the Indiana countryside.

Before the pilgrimage resumed this morning, the bikers and a few supporters from Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church gathered for a devotional around John 9:1-11, the story of Jesus healing the man born blind(Go read it now if you haven't already!)

The group reflected on the difficulty of seeing God when surrounded by blaring horns, exhaust fumes, and heavy traffic when only a few hours earlier it had been so easy to see God's beauty reflected in the blue skies and green fields of the countryside. Even when the surroundings aren't as pleasant or as awe-inspiring as we might like, God is very present - if we can shake off our blindness to take notice. As the group sang a praise song, it set a challenge before them (in addition to biking the beautiful Little Miami Scenic Trail) - the challenge to see God everywhere, in everything.

Safe Arrival in Cincinnati

After a grueling 90 mile trip (on course today!) through the hills around Cincinnati, Team Sweaty Sheep's Pedaling Pilgrimage made its way to Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church, where they were greeted by a fried chicken dinner and a gracious group of church elders. As the sun sets, everyone is preparing for an evening worship and presentation with the Pleasant Ridge session followed by an evening of much needed rest at the homes of welcoming session members. Thank you all for your prayers, and keep them coming! We are safe, happy, tired, and blessed to be cared for by such wonderful churches! Photo by Michael Whitman

Pilgrimage Publicity

The Courier Journal ran a story about the Pedaling Pilgrimage! You can view it here.