The Sacred Land, Sacred Stories Pilgrimage is a journey from sin to repentance, and finally to reconciliation. We explore slavery, white supremacy, racism, and Jim Crow on this pilgrimage through Montgomery and Selma. Most importantly, we will think together about how to bring the values of equality and justice home with us. The itinerary provides a glance at what you can expect in your 5-day pilgrimage; the schedule may be adjusted for guide availability and efficiency.

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Your private motorcoach departs from St. Francis at 8:00am, headed to Montgomery, Alabama. Please arrive at the church no later than 7:30am. We’ll stop for lunch en route (on your own.) Upon arrival in Montgomery, you will meet your tour leaders, Ronald Smith, and/or Gwen Brown. Ronald is a native of Selma and together with his wife, Gwen, they have decades of experience in racial justice work. After checking into your rooms, we will enjoy a welcome dinner at the Arts Council of Montgomery, with a local chef (included). Overnight at Staybridge Suites, Downtown Montgomery.

We begin our day with a sobering and humbling look at the sins of slavery, white supremacy, and racism with a visit to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum. After lunch (on your own) at the adjacent Pannie George’s Cafeteria, we’ll continue to remember and honor the lives lost to lynching at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Afterward, we will meet for a group debrief and reflection. Dinner tonight is on your own in any of downtown Montgomery’s restaurants. Overnight in Montgomery.

We’ll spend today touring significant sites in Montgomery’s Civil Rights history including the Rosa Parks Museum, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, and Alabama State House. Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch (included) at a local restaurant. This combination walking and bus tour led by Wanda Battle will also introduce you to some of the lesser-known figures in the Montgomery movement. Dinner tonight is on your own. Overnight in Montgomery.

A short bus ride takes us from Montgomery to Selma where we will share a pilgrimage walk from Brown Chapel AME Church to the Edmund Pettus Bridge facilitated by Ronald Smith and Gwen Brown. After lunch (included) we will meet with Ron and Gwen for a facilitated discussion on anti-racism work. In the evening return to Montgomery for dinner (on your own) and overnight accommodations.

We conclude our pilgrimage by joining the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church for morning worship. After worship, we’ll depart Montgomery, stopping for both lunch and dinner (on your own) en route, and arriving at St. Francis around 10:00pm.