The Journeying team are delighted to announce the launch of the Sixth Annual Journeying Poetry Competition! This year’s theme is Water.

Writers may like to consider water in its natural appearances e.g. rain, dew, spring, stream, lake, sea etc., as well its spiritual associations e.g. water of life (John ch.4) water from the temple (Ezekiel ch.47), river of life (Revelation ch.22), water/renewal (Isaiah ch.43) water/baptism, water/thirst, etc.

Poems should be original, unassisted by AI and not previously published elsewhere. Entries should reach us by email attachment, before midnight (GMT) on the last Saturday in October 2026. Email address: info@journeying.co.uk

Poems may be of any length. Just one entry per person. There is no charge.

The winning poet will receive £100 sterling and the Winner’s Commemorative Certificate. Two further Highly Commended prizes worth £50.00 each will also be provided.

The winning poem will be announced on December 15th 2026 and published in Sharing the Journey and on the Journeying website, social media platforms and via press release. Beyond this copyright remains with the author.

 

The Judges

David Arkell retired from teaching this year in order to train as a lay minister in the Church of England. His first book of poetry, Divine Loves, was published in 2019.

Revd Gill Page is Chair of Journeying. Her fine collection of books is a testimony to her love of poetry and includes works by well-known writers and friends who have self-published.

 

Journeying is a non-profit seeking organisation welcoming people on small group pilgrim holidays in an informal Christian ambience, to the more off-the-beaten-track parts of Britain and Ireland. Along the Way; prayer, reflection and poetry provide the rhythm around which we journey. Journeying was established in 1988.

To read more about the competition, including past winners, please visit the Poetry page of the Journeying website: https://www.journeying.co.uk/poetry