By the Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer 2012 Young Adult Urban Pilgrimage Application
2012 Urban Pilgrimage Sites: Austin; Boston, Newark, New Orleans, Oxnard, CA
Want to change the world but need a place to discern this desire and call? The Urban Pilgrimage offers college students and young adults a place to explore and discern this vocation. The pilgrimage sites put college students and young adults in direct contact with career social justice advocates and those whom they serve. These personal connections help the pilgrims learn first hand about the challenges of various social issues including immigration, homelessness, racism, poverty and hunger. During the Pilgrimage, participants reflect spiritually, theologically, philosophically and politically on the societal causes of homelessness, hunger, immigration and related issues.
The Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer directed the first Urban Pilgrimage in March 2007 as a spring break learning experience for students from the dioceses of Maine and Massachusetts. The Episcopal Peace Fellowship adopted the program in 2009 and hosted eight young adults from California, Mississippi and Massachusetts for the 2010 New York pilgrimage. The New York site covers a wide range of social justice advocates, including a synagogue, a secular social service agency advocating for the homeless, an outdoor church for the homeless and an Episcopal church that uses its sanctuary as a dining hall for a soup kitchen during the week. Bailey Fischer said she and the pilgrims were inspired by how the various groups they visited come together to help those on the margins. Many of the social justice advocates had once been recipients of the care and support of some of these agencies and ministries.
“It was an amazing experience — going to some of these places and talking to individuals who are being Christ to others,” said Maryel Giron, first year Princeton Theological Seminary student and Urban Pilgrimage 2010 participant. Giron said the pilgrimage provided a unique balance between the hands-on work and listening and learning about the social issues. “It’s a powerful balance,” especially the listening part, which is so important to doing ministry, she said.
“The pilgrimage presented a shocking picture of reality,” said Dawn Bailey, an intern with the St. Mary’s Internship Program and an Urban Pilgrimage 2010 participant. “Now that I better understand the underlying causes and conditions of homelessness, it’s impossible for me to turn a blind eye to the issue.”
“I think the Pilgrimage is well worthwhile,” said Jonathan Murphy, Urban Pilgrimage 2008 participant and senior at Framingham State College. ”It’s a hands-on experience that should not be missed by anyone serious about their line of study or work, regardless of what it may be.”
In addition to working at various social justice sites, the pilgrimage experience includes a contemplative worship component centered in the daily office and weekend Eucharist. “As Episcopalians, we believe that these practices are both practical and profound, especially while engaging in the difficult work of social justice advocacy. Spiritual practices such as following the hours, participating in quiet contemplative prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist help the advocate rejuvenate his/her soul and regain strength so that she or he may continue to do important advocacy work,” said Bailey Fischer. “Advocacy is a spiritual practice, putting into action the Greatest Commandment, loving God and loving one’s neighbor as one self. It is our hope that all who participate in this advocacy work will gain a greater understanding of the mysteries of God and Christ, while also alleviating suffering and pain in the world.”
Urban Pilgrimages were held in three sites during spring break in March 2011. Los Angeles/Oxnard and Austin, TX, addressed immigration issues. New York addressed issues related to poverty and homelessness. The Rev. Nicole Janelle, an Episcopal chaplain at UC Santa Barbara and site co-director for the LA/Oxnard pilgrimage in 2010 and 2011,says the pilgrimage will gives participants a good sense of the issues facing migrant workers. “This is one of those issues that is invisible in Southern California, ” said Janelle, who is directing the site with Abundant Table Farm Project director and college chaplain Sarah Nolan. During the pilgrimage, participants will reflect on the work conditions in the field, the intensity of the labor, challenges around housing, parenting, school and health care. As an extension of the migrant farm worker discussion, The LA/Oxnard pilgrimage will also address issues around food sustainability and agribusiness, said Janelle, who also serves on EPF’s National Executive Council., along with other site directors, Jessie Smith and Valerie Bailey Fischer.
Austin site director Jesse Smith says the pilgrimages are a place where people can experience transformation through encountering God in the difficult issues related to immigration and homelessness. The pilgrimage is an invitation to personal transformation for the sake of God’s world, Smith said. “The Austin UP is a prayerful time in the heart of some messy situations on the front lines of the immigration issue,” Smith said. “My hope is that anyone who is not afraid to identify and name realities while asking hard questions, of oneself, the church and God, would join us for this pilgrimage. All ages, races, perspectives, orientations and opinions are welcome to join us for this get-your-heart-dirty experience of the divine.”
Urban Pilgrimage is one of several Episcopal Peace Fellowship programs developed by members of the Young Adult Initiative (YAI). YAI leaders serve on EPF’s National Executive Committee, organizes young adults for peacemaking and advocacy work. The group was instrumental in developing the Young Adult Presence launched at the 2006 General Convention. The EPF Young Adult Presence of 2006 and 2009 helped seed the EPF board with young adults. These programs also became significant places of discernment and formation for Episcopal seminarians. Allison Liles, for example, is the Pilgrimage site leader for New Orleans and she is also an alumni of the Young Adult Presence 2006. The New York 2011 Urban Pilgrimage’s leadership team had two alumni of UP2010 and one from UP2008. Two other participants of UP2010 also participated in 2011.
While gifted and creative leaders are priceless, their formation and development cannot happen without generous contributions from EPF, other Episcopal institutions and church members. The funds from donors will allow the cost to the students to remain affordable, especially those college students and young adults who are working and may have a limited budget for extra curricular activities. The cost for each student is $150, but the real cost per student is $450. Funds are needed to subsidize travel for some applicants, as well. The benefits of this program, in terms of raising up new leadership for the Episcopal Church, far outweigh the costs.
The Pilgrimages can also be used as a tool for college chaplaincies that often do not have the additional funding for short-term service projects. The Urban Pilgrimage project is partnering with numerous chaplains around the country who will be recruiting their students to attend part of their spring break in one of the five sites strategically located around the country and reasonably located to most of the provinces.
The site directors and YAI leaders are accepting applications for the Spring 2012 Urban Pilgrimages. YAI is also planning an annual conference on Labor Day Weekend on some of these issues where the alumni and their friends and colleagues may come together for fellowship, worship, prayer and continuing education on the issues encountered during the pilgrimages. For more information please contact the Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer at valerie_bailey@brontes.org. To donate to the project, please click here.
