We are called to ‘By love, serve’ and that can be a wearying and sometimes lonely task. Just as King Arthur and his Knights needed to meet and be refreshed and inspired, so too do we as learning Knights of the High King Jesus. So, much as Help and the early knights did, we gather at a Retreat House to be refreshed and renewed as we share teaching, prayer, news, fellowship and fun. Because these are such important times for us a guide price is given but they are underwritten by our financial committee The Beatrice Hankey Foundation Limited. Those attending are only asked to contribute what they can afford. Here interested friends can come, as our guests, and see what we are about. We are always happy to welcome such. If they like what they experience and are called to do so, we are happy, in due course, to see them take their Squire and then Knight’s shield at our Dedication Service.
The Dedication Service, used at the end of each Camelot, isat the heart of Knighthood and being a Blue Pilgrim. In this service we are reminded of God’s love for us and His world and our call to live out our calling as His learning Knights. Here we make or renew our vows as we head into the joys and struggles of everyday life. We occasionally have a Dedication Service at the end of a Company meeting, though more usually now we use a condensed version the ‘Closing prayers for a Knighthood meeting’.
The Great Camelot, usually held in late August- early September is centrally organised and we hope as many Knights, Squires and friends as possible will gather for this. Over the rest of the year other Camelots are organised by companies as they feel best. Currently we have a Wessex Camelot from Tuesday to Friday after Easter and a Midland/Eastern company Camelot at the end of May-early June. As companies have waxed and waned there have been Felixstowe Camelots, Quiet and Epiphany Camelots and Thames Camelots.