"Embodied Beloved Community: A Pilgrimage along the Civil Rights Trail," an eight-day journey through key sites of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, has been awarded a $50,000 Constable Grant. The pilgrimage is a collaborative effort between the Episcopal Dioceses of Long Island and Atlanta.
Scheduled for April 27-May 4, 2025, the pilgrimage will take participants through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. It will convene an intergenerational group of travelers committed to sourcing truth in divisive times.
Pilgrims will engage with local religious and civic leaders, librarians, educators, and cultural curators to learn about accessing resources that fill gaps in school curricula and media narratives. The journey will emphasize reflection on two key questions: "Who am I?" and "Who does God need me to be right now?"
The Rev. Leandra Lisa Lambert, Associate Rector for Social Justice and Reconciliation at Grace Church Brooklyn Heights and organizer of the pilgrimage, stated, "This grant allows us to create a transformative experience for our pilgrims. By walking in the footsteps of civil rights leaders and engaging with local communities, we hope to inspire a new generation of truth-tellers and bridge-builders. This pilgrimage is not just about learning history, but about shaping our present and future as the Beloved Community."
With grant funding, the pilgrimage can include more travelers, offer an early-bird registration discount, and provide honorariums to expert speakers, presenters, and facilitators.
The itinerary includes visits to significant sites such as the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner, MS, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL. Participants will also attend worship at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
The Constable grant, awarded by the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, will support this initiative as part of its mission to fund religious education projects outside of the church-wide budget.
Early bird registration for the pilgrimage is now open. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register early to secure their place and take advantage of reduced rates.
This pilgrimage is open to anyone committed to truth-telling and transformation. For more information about the pilgrimage, early bird registration, or to inquire about participation, please contact The Rev. Leandra Lisa Lambert at LLambert@gracebrooklyn.org.