The New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity formerly hosted an ecumenical 50 mile/3 day pilgrimage aimed at nurturing relationships among Christians of all varieties. During the pandemic the steering team began experimenting with a Pilgrimage-In-Place format. In this model of pilgrimage, participants plan their own route to a holy place of their selection; the NM Pilgrimage for Unity supports the effort by hosting a Commissioning and a Closing Service using a Zoom format. Other resources are designed for each event including zoom drop in times (for weeklong schedule), pilgrim prayer cards for distribution, the collection of intentions and petitions to be carried while walking/praying and videos for encouragement.
The Steering Team observed the deep relationships cultivated through 3-day pilgrimages and had a data base of around 60 pilgrims who participated once or more; moreover there is a sincere intention to do so again, when the time is right. Since we’ve been offering pilgrimages in place the data base has doubled and the steering team recognized they are meeting a spiritual hunger previously unaddressed: individuals, who for reasons of capacity, finances or life setting, cannot participate in a longer, more strenuous pilgrimage.
If you can see the value of increasing grass roots ecumenical friendships, please consider encouraging your congregation or organization to step away from the noise of commercialism and into an Advent initiated by gratitude and prayer.
Thank you for your consideration, Kay Huggins, on behalf of the steering team,
New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity