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References...
Serving the Church
 Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell and the School of the
Pilgrim have held numerous workshops and pilgrimages
for many church groups in recent years.
Below is a sampling of comments from just a few of the individuals who have participated in different pilgrimages we have conducted
over the years. We continue to hold pilgrimages to help individuals and groupbetter understand how to live the Christian life as a life-long pilgrimage.
Comments from Mr. Alvin Lingenfelter, Asst. Prof. of Christian Education, LaGrange College, LaGrange, GA:
"Brett’s time at LaGrange College was just what we had hoped for – an engaging and informative lecture on pilgrimage for our general student body, followed by an authentic and more detailed small group experience for religion majors and minors. Everyone responded with high praise and gratitude for such an inspiring visit. We look forward to working with The School of the Pilgrim again soon!”
Comments from Dr. Brain Hartley of Greenville, SC
For close to a century, Greenville College students have trekked away from campus for one day every fall on what has been called, “The All-College Hike.” Brett helped us to begin to see this tradition as not just a journey, but a pilgrimage with one another towards God. Through his presence and his messages, he has beckoned us ever onward but with a new and fresh understanding of what it means to be God’s people. It is very much possible that from now on we will call this autumn event, “The All-College Pilgrimage.”
Comments from Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin of Lexington, KY
"The Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell was the keynoter for the 17th annual SOLO FLIGHT AT KANUGA national conference for Episcopal single adults. His outstanding keynote address, workshop and conference summation were superb explications of the conference theme “FLYING SOLO – ON PILGRIMAGE”, assisting participants in understanding their lives as pilgrimage. With understanding and skilled use of story, scripture, human nature , humor and the essence and experience of pilgrimage, Dr. Webb-Mitchell offered profound insights to the intergenerational community. THE SCHOOL OF THE PILGRIM is an invaluable resource for individuals and churches seeking ways to make God’s call real in their lives".
Comments from Fr. Aelred of Mepkin Abbey, SC
"Pilgrimage asks you to see the whole of the Christian life as journey. The journey is not a solitary one but with Christ and others. During my first pilgrimage with Brett & Co. I was struck by how the sheer physicality of the journey demanded one to see and to enter into the experience of pilgrimage from different directions and at various levels. It is impossible to remain simply at the conceptual level. Sore feet, hungry stomachs, the anticipation of encountering unknown hosts, group decision-making, working out tensions, discernment, this and all of life is included in the pilgrim process.
This all became blindingly clear in a particular situation that arose on pilgrimage. After we had stopped fro lunch one day Rita realized that she had lost her cell-phone along the way. Then arose a discussion amongst the remaining four of us as to whether some should go ahead and another walk back with Rita in search of the lost cell. We all came to the same conclusion that we were all on this pilgrimage together. Therefore, we would all backtrack and try to find Rita's phone. It was striking to see how our values had already been shaped by the reality of the Pilgrimage. Wherever we go, we travel together. Whether going forward or backward, we are pilgrims together.
The Pilgrim Paradigm is truly polyvalent, multi-faceted and so rich in parallels with the Way. No wonder Jesus was an itinerant preacher for three years. He must have really gotten to know his disciples, and vice versa." May 20, 2006
Comments from Rita Bennett of Wilson, NC
"My first pilgrimage occurred while fulfilling a requirement for a Christian Education class six years ago. The experience was a short endeavor--approximately 5 miles--interspersed with foot rubs and readings from the Canterbury Tales. Prior to the experience, I thought it would take unnecessary time away from studies. However, it was such a wonderful experience that I signed up for a class on pilgrimage as soon as it was offered."
"By profession I am a church musician, now in my 35th year. My life has been centered in the church, yet during all that time I have never known pilgrimage to receive more than a passing mention. The highest trained seminarians and clergy, the brightest teachers, have left pilgrimage to the times of nomads, foreign to us and un-related to our times. What a significant teaching tool we have overlooked!"
"How refreshing to find a scholar and teacher resurrecting this fine tradition of pilgrimage. Dr. Brett Webb Mitchell has devoted himself to pilgrimage and has become a modern day expert. It is a renewal tool for churches and for lives. Instead of picking up a book on the latest church trend, why not seek out a tradition as old as the church itself, and find the treasures it contains. Transformation occurs beyond talking the talk of Christianity. Pilgrimage is ‘walking the walk’ in a way that will change your life forever. Dr. Brett Webb Mitchell, director of School of the Pilgrim, is an able guide and mentor." May 12, 2006
Comments from Matt Norvell of Gaithersburg, MD
"Pilgrimage is an odd thing. It is so different from the daily life I normally lead. I am constantly with these other people. We depend on each other for safety and food and water. We are in constant communication with each other. If there is a disagreement or hurt feeling, we still take breaks together and we still walk together."
"Pilgrimage helps a person to find one’s self. Pilgrimage helps a suburbanite like me get away from the comforts and conveniences that clog my ears and prevent me from hearing God in my life. Pilgrimage helps clear the cloudiness formed by the current expectations (from within and without) I hold on to and helps me gain a clearer vision of what it might really mean to be a follower of Jesus rather than a professional minister."
"I am sure that from the outside, pilgrimage is not something that makes a lot of sense in a society where productivity and conformity are the primary ways we value each other. But once you are there...once you have taken your pictures and created your ‘official’ pilgrimage walking stick...once you begin to walk and think and pray and listen...once you have the chance to get out of your own way...suddenly pilgrimage is not a leisure activity. Suddenly, pilgrimage is a necessary spiritual activity. One has to go on pilgrimage." May 7, 2006
Comments from Sr. Stefanie Weisgram of St. Joseph, MN
"Pilgrimage has interested me more years than I care to say. For at least a month each of the past 16 years I have lived and worked in Esquipulas, Guatemala, where there is a 400+ year old shrine to the Christ of Esquipulas where at least a million pilgrims come each year. It is a place of thanksgiving, and the faith of the pilgrims and those who minister to them has changed my faith and my life."
"One year I had the good fortune of visiting the tomb of Archbishop Oscar Romero in San Salvador. That was another pilgrimage that has formed me in ways I never expected. So have the “pilgrimages” to several Mayan sites. To think of people who lived in joy and sorrow in what is now an abandoned site is an enriching experience."
"Seeing the life of faith as a journey or a pilgrimage comes naturally after experiences like these, but originally when setting out I didn't think of them as pilgrimages except for visiting the tomb of Romero. Now, pilgrimage is daily in my mind as I walk between my residence and our Monastery chapel or even between my car and the library where I work. This is partly because of the pilgrimages I have taken with Brett and his students and more recently with Brett and mutual friends. Feeling the miles in my body, the relief of water and a rest, the welcome from people who want to understand what we are doing, the support of my companions on the way, all make me more aware of the larger pilgrimage of life in which we are engaged." August 18, 2006
Comments from Rev. Brian Paulson of Libertyville, IL
"Our large suburban congregation was grateful for the challenge and inspiration of The School of the Pilgrim. Brett Webb-Mitchell brought the experience of pilgrimage into local focus through an intensive weekend of spiritual activity. We included members of the larger community in conversation about more effective ways to include people with disabilities in the faith journey of our congregation."
"Dr. Webb-Mitchell gave us the experience of a "faith walk" around our community prior to a thoughtful exploration of pilgrimage as a model for Christian growth and living. Our worship was made rich by his challenge to step out into spiritual adventures beyond our common confines. He also gave practical assistance to teenagers and parents as they sought to discover spiritual meaning amidst a season of life and contemporary culture of dramatic change."
"The School of the Pilgrim provided a powerful launch to our Fall ministries. We will watch with anticipation as this new addition to the contemporary spiritual landscape enriches and challenges other congregations such as ours." September 18, 2006
Comments from Mary Wood of Wilderness Trails, Waynesville, NC
"This weekend I was lucky enough to hike with a group from the Christian Educator's Fellowship conference. This biannual conference is taking place this year at Lake Junaluska. One option (among their many workshops) was to take a pilgrimage with Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell, the founder of the School of the Pilgrim. This pilgrimage was to take place along the trails near Lake Junaluska... and that's where Wilderness Trail came in!
Brett was asked during the weekend, "What makes a pilgrimage a pilgrimage?" Which is a good question on this particular event, which in many ways resembled a hike. Brett's professional opinion: "The intentionality." All weekend long the good Rev. Dr. led us in the morning prayers, evening prayers, responsive readings, and other rituals common to a pilgrimage. In this case, we may not have been walking to a specific holy place, but we all agreed that good fireside discussions made each campsite a holy place of its own."
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