Pilgrimage is different than a tour.  As pilgrims travel together they realize that they are on spiritual journey as well as physical journey.  Pilgrims understand that the journey is interior and reflective.  Pilgrims understand that they are about the business of connecting life events with travel events with pilgrim effects and some how they all converge under the power of the Holy Spirit to bring new insight and meaning.

So pilgrims don’t just look at sites.  Pilgrims take time each day for prayer and for time in the Word of God.  Pilgrims partake in reflective experiences that are designed to bring new meaning to old symbols.  Pilgrims spend time in prayer, in journaling, in reflecting and discussing.

Pilgrims do go site seeing and pilgrims do go shopping.  Pilgrims understand, though, that pilgrimage is about much more.

Luther Sites 2009/2010 

A pilgrim comes to understand that Luther was shaped by life events and the culture of his time.  This pilgrimage visits the major sites of Luther’s life.  The pilgrim spends some time learning about Luther but Luther’s life becomes a springboard for each pilgrim to look at her or his own life.  What life events were shaping?  What are some the spiritual crisis that might have happened on the life journey?  What events began to bring it all together for expressions of new meaning?  Who is the pilgrim now and how has the pilgrim arrived at tha point?  Daily Scripture study, quiet reflection, contemplative prayer, and, group interaction leads to new understandings.

In the Footsteps of Luther:  A Pilgrimage from Germany to Rome

In the year 2010, the Church will remember the pilgrimage made by Luther 500 years ago as he went to Rome as a representative of his Order.  Luther was transformed by this experience.  Many of Luther’s writings refer to events along the way and the experience of seeing the Church in Rome convicted Luther of the need for reform.  The pilgrim will explore times of transition to find understanding.  The pilgrim looks at life events and asks about which of this became spiritually renewing.  How does the pilgrim discern life call?  Daily Scripture study, quiet reflection, contemplative prayer, and, group interaction leads to new understandings.

Classic Europe and Oberammergau 2010   

The pilgrim will visit some of the classic capitals on the European continent and will have the opportunity to explore the life and history of a people over the centuries.  The highlight of this pilgrimage will be in attending the centuries old production depicting the passion of our Lord.  Villagers have presented the passion story every ten years since 1633. 

The pilgrim looks at the secular life of Europe and wonders how the message of the passion play could come alive in the hearts and minds of the people.  Daily Scripture study, quiet reflection, contemplative prayer, and, group interaction leads to new understandings.