Here you'll find "stories from the road" -- journal entries from people who participated in the Pilgrimage of Hope. Their perspectives and reflections are shared from various days of the pilgrimage, a window into walking for immigrant justice.
DAY 15
DAY 15
By Erin Rausch
Today was a bit overwhelming in total. Not quite certain why. It was 13.5 miles and without much sleep, so that could be part of it.
But the larger part comes from the overwhelming support I am getting from so many folks. I am so grateful for all those supporting the fundraiser for the legal aid fund. I am equally grateful for the FB and text messages that propel me along.
On those quiet stretches of road, when I am all by myself, I think about those who right now are suffering due to the system, or lack thereof, we have created. I pray for a world where the location of one's birth no longer determines the possibilities of their life....thank you to my village for walking by my side.
Today was a bit overwhelming in total. Not quite certain why. It was 13.5 miles and without much sleep, so that could be part of it.
But the larger part comes from the overwhelming support I am getting from so many folks. I am so grateful for all those supporting the fundraiser for the legal aid fund. I am equally grateful for the FB and text messages that propel me along.
On those quiet stretches of road, when I am all by myself, I think about those who right now are suffering due to the system, or lack thereof, we have created. I pray for a world where the location of one's birth no longer determines the possibilities of their life....thank you to my village for walking by my side.
DAY 12
By: The Rt. Rev. David C. Rice
The Journey from Fresno to Sacramento - Honoring the Dignity of Immigrants
Greetings from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. Twelve days ago, I joined members of our Diocese’s Immigration Task Force (SJRAISE) on the Pilgrimage of Hope. We are in the midst of walking 226 miles from our Cathedral in Fresno to the state Capitol in California.
Why are we walking? We are walking to raise awareness regarding the status and plight of our immigrant and refugee communities particularly those who are left wondering where they might be from day to day. In addition, we are walking to raise money for “legal defense funds,” as the immigration system is the only area of U.S. law where detained people must advocate for their freedom without the guarantee of legal representation.
And finally, we are walking and will descend upon the State Capitol on May 20th to join the statewide “Immigrant Day of Action”.
At the Immigrant Day of Action, we will stand in solidarity with approximately 1,000 community leaders who have come together from all over the state to defend the dignity of every human being. Hand in hand with interfaith and secular community leaders, we will call for the passage of five bills to advance community health, shared prosperity, and racial justice for all Californians - including our immigrant brothers and sisters. Among these is the “Health for All Act,” which recognizes that no one should suffer or die from a treatable condition, no matter where they were born.
The impetus and design of the walk was born at our 2017 Diocesan Convention, where we voted unanimously to establish an Immigration Task Force which is called SJRAISE (San Joaquin Refugee and Immigrant Support and Empowerment). The purpose of SJRAISE has been to gather information regarding the plight of our immigrant and refugee sisters and brothers and to seek ways to engage the diocese in educative and formation work concerning this significant part of our population and to consider how we might respond as a Faith Community. Coupled with the extraordinary work of SJRAISE, an idea was birthed at our Advent Clergy Conference in 2018. We believed we were inspired to go on Pilgrimage and the purpose of this walk began to crystallize very rapidly.
I write these words from St John the Baptist in Lodi. Today, we walked 12.3 miles from Stockton to Lodi. Thus far we have walked 164.4 miles. As we completed Day twelve of our Pilgrimage, most of our walking has followed agricultural roads laden with almond groves, grape vineyards and paddocks filled with tomatoes and peppers and a wide variety of citrus groves. What we have noticed over the last five days is the overwhelming number of Latinxs working in those groves and paddocks and fields. These are our brothers and sisters working in the larger contexts in which most of Episcopal Faith Communities are located. The Central Valley is home to beautiful diversity, including many immigrant and refugees communities from Asia and the Middle East.
I wish to say that we, travelers, have been the recipients of stunning hospitality along the way. We have received care and hospitality from Episcopal, United Methodist, Lutheran and Roman Catholic Communities. In addition, we have been treated inordinately well and respectively by motorists and commercial drivers along the way. It is our prayer that all Californians treat immigrants with the same compassion we received – the same compassion all of us would hope for when we are in need.
We continue to walk because we believe we are called to walk the way of Jesus. We are convicted that our very purpose is to identify those who are most marginalized, those who are far too often invisible in our society and to hear their voices. We are convinced that when we allow ourselves to hear their voices that the Holy Spirit urges us to consider who we might respond.
This Pilgrimage of Hope is a small part of our response.
+David
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
The Journey from Fresno to Sacramento - Honoring the Dignity of Immigrants
Greetings from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. Twelve days ago, I joined members of our Diocese’s Immigration Task Force (SJRAISE) on the Pilgrimage of Hope. We are in the midst of walking 226 miles from our Cathedral in Fresno to the state Capitol in California.
Why are we walking? We are walking to raise awareness regarding the status and plight of our immigrant and refugee communities particularly those who are left wondering where they might be from day to day. In addition, we are walking to raise money for “legal defense funds,” as the immigration system is the only area of U.S. law where detained people must advocate for their freedom without the guarantee of legal representation.
And finally, we are walking and will descend upon the State Capitol on May 20th to join the statewide “Immigrant Day of Action”.
At the Immigrant Day of Action, we will stand in solidarity with approximately 1,000 community leaders who have come together from all over the state to defend the dignity of every human being. Hand in hand with interfaith and secular community leaders, we will call for the passage of five bills to advance community health, shared prosperity, and racial justice for all Californians - including our immigrant brothers and sisters. Among these is the “Health for All Act,” which recognizes that no one should suffer or die from a treatable condition, no matter where they were born.
The impetus and design of the walk was born at our 2017 Diocesan Convention, where we voted unanimously to establish an Immigration Task Force which is called SJRAISE (San Joaquin Refugee and Immigrant Support and Empowerment). The purpose of SJRAISE has been to gather information regarding the plight of our immigrant and refugee sisters and brothers and to seek ways to engage the diocese in educative and formation work concerning this significant part of our population and to consider how we might respond as a Faith Community. Coupled with the extraordinary work of SJRAISE, an idea was birthed at our Advent Clergy Conference in 2018. We believed we were inspired to go on Pilgrimage and the purpose of this walk began to crystallize very rapidly.
I write these words from St John the Baptist in Lodi. Today, we walked 12.3 miles from Stockton to Lodi. Thus far we have walked 164.4 miles. As we completed Day twelve of our Pilgrimage, most of our walking has followed agricultural roads laden with almond groves, grape vineyards and paddocks filled with tomatoes and peppers and a wide variety of citrus groves. What we have noticed over the last five days is the overwhelming number of Latinxs working in those groves and paddocks and fields. These are our brothers and sisters working in the larger contexts in which most of Episcopal Faith Communities are located. The Central Valley is home to beautiful diversity, including many immigrant and refugees communities from Asia and the Middle East.
I wish to say that we, travelers, have been the recipients of stunning hospitality along the way. We have received care and hospitality from Episcopal, United Methodist, Lutheran and Roman Catholic Communities. In addition, we have been treated inordinately well and respectively by motorists and commercial drivers along the way. It is our prayer that all Californians treat immigrants with the same compassion we received – the same compassion all of us would hope for when we are in need.
We continue to walk because we believe we are called to walk the way of Jesus. We are convicted that our very purpose is to identify those who are most marginalized, those who are far too often invisible in our society and to hear their voices. We are convinced that when we allow ourselves to hear their voices that the Holy Spirit urges us to consider who we might respond.
This Pilgrimage of Hope is a small part of our response.
+David
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
Day 9
By The Rev. Canon Anna Carmichael, PhD.
And so Day 9 of #thepilgrimageofhope begins. We are blessed to have Erin Rausch join us for the remainder of the walk.
Today we got a later start since we worshipped with St Paul's Modesto. Their hospitality, like all hospitality we have received, was impeccable. It is going to be a hot day (at noon it's already 80) with 15.9 miles ahead of us.
My feet continue to heal and I'm hoping to start walking again soon. But for now, these Episcopal flip-flops are about all I can manage (thanks Sue Roberts Jenkins). Last night before the presentation I read in the Episcopal Journal how immigrants and asylum seekers are being supported in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. The article featured an image of men, women and children, their bags on their backs, walking in well worn sneakers and sandals. They looked exhausted, but they are determined. They are searching for a better life...a life free of violence, free of extreme poverty, a life filled with hope.
I am ever mindful today, this Mother's Day, of women who have been separated from their children either through the court system or in detention centers. I am mindful of the brokenness of the immigration system that allows for families to be separated. I am mindful of how easy it is to have a certain hardness of heart to those we do not see as Christ in our midst.
So pray for our pilgrims today and those we walk with. Pray for mothers who are separated from their children. Pray for the children seeking their mothers.
And so Day 9 of #thepilgrimageofhope begins. We are blessed to have Erin Rausch join us for the remainder of the walk.
Today we got a later start since we worshipped with St Paul's Modesto. Their hospitality, like all hospitality we have received, was impeccable. It is going to be a hot day (at noon it's already 80) with 15.9 miles ahead of us.
My feet continue to heal and I'm hoping to start walking again soon. But for now, these Episcopal flip-flops are about all I can manage (thanks Sue Roberts Jenkins). Last night before the presentation I read in the Episcopal Journal how immigrants and asylum seekers are being supported in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. The article featured an image of men, women and children, their bags on their backs, walking in well worn sneakers and sandals. They looked exhausted, but they are determined. They are searching for a better life...a life free of violence, free of extreme poverty, a life filled with hope.
I am ever mindful today, this Mother's Day, of women who have been separated from their children either through the court system or in detention centers. I am mindful of the brokenness of the immigration system that allows for families to be separated. I am mindful of how easy it is to have a certain hardness of heart to those we do not see as Christ in our midst.
So pray for our pilgrims today and those we walk with. Pray for mothers who are separated from their children. Pray for the children seeking their mothers.
Day 5
By Lee Halkias
On day 5 of The Pilgrimage of Hope, we reached the city of Merced, 75 miles from our start. I drive my small motorhome as a support vehicle for the walkers.
We are experiencing wonderful hospitality from Shepherd of the Valley Evangelical Lutheran Church and other local churches as well.
I am in awe of the kindness of strangers and the hospitality of those we’ve encountered along the way. Even people on the road.
I see the blisters on the feet of my friends and yet they remain jovial and committed to the Pilgrimage. We remember the people for whom we are doing this. Would that they could experience the same hospitality.
I have my own bed and shower and plenty of food. Would that my refugee sisters and brothers had the same.
I see the face of The Christ on my fellow travelers and on those who greet us.
Would that our refugee sisters and brothers are seen that way as well.
Blessings to all who support us in any way and who pray for us.
On day 5 of The Pilgrimage of Hope, we reached the city of Merced, 75 miles from our start. I drive my small motorhome as a support vehicle for the walkers.
We are experiencing wonderful hospitality from Shepherd of the Valley Evangelical Lutheran Church and other local churches as well.
I am in awe of the kindness of strangers and the hospitality of those we’ve encountered along the way. Even people on the road.
I see the blisters on the feet of my friends and yet they remain jovial and committed to the Pilgrimage. We remember the people for whom we are doing this. Would that they could experience the same hospitality.
I have my own bed and shower and plenty of food. Would that my refugee sisters and brothers had the same.
I see the face of The Christ on my fellow travelers and on those who greet us.
Would that our refugee sisters and brothers are seen that way as well.
Blessings to all who support us in any way and who pray for us.
Day 4
By Wil Colon
One of our walkers challenged us today to embrace and pay attention to a phrase that was with him all day yesterday “behold,” and its accompanying past tense version, if you permit, “be-held.” As Christian we have heard “Behold the Lamb of God,” “Behold He who suffered for our sins,” and for all who remember their days in Latin class, “Ecce homo – Behold the Man.” To “behold” implies having a keen awareness of something within your sight, while to “be – held” moves us from a visual intensity to a physical one. When you hold someone you intimately share in their joy, suffering, trust, and love.
So what did I gain from this challenge that struck me as related to the Pilgrimage of Hope? During lunch I felt myself going into my people-watcher mode. I realized that all of us on this tour were enjoying a meal, prepared by hands who do this regularly. I thought “behold the those who have and can waste if they choose.” Us or US! Then I thought of the immigrants in the caravan, past, present, future; those who we can’t see, for whom we pray and walk, those who we don´t “behold.” Are they “being-held?” By whom? Are they being held by coyotes, human traffickers, in prisons and prison-like detention centers? Or are they being-held in our hearts, prayers, and hopes? Is that enough? I say NO! We must now bring them forward through ourselves in action; saying “BEHOLD these are the people of God; incarnate in human form.” “BEHOLD these are the lambs of God who are created in His image. ¨ Are you ready to be the faces of those whose faces we do not see? Can we say BEHOLD we are here?
One of our walkers challenged us today to embrace and pay attention to a phrase that was with him all day yesterday “behold,” and its accompanying past tense version, if you permit, “be-held.” As Christian we have heard “Behold the Lamb of God,” “Behold He who suffered for our sins,” and for all who remember their days in Latin class, “Ecce homo – Behold the Man.” To “behold” implies having a keen awareness of something within your sight, while to “be – held” moves us from a visual intensity to a physical one. When you hold someone you intimately share in their joy, suffering, trust, and love.
So what did I gain from this challenge that struck me as related to the Pilgrimage of Hope? During lunch I felt myself going into my people-watcher mode. I realized that all of us on this tour were enjoying a meal, prepared by hands who do this regularly. I thought “behold the those who have and can waste if they choose.” Us or US! Then I thought of the immigrants in the caravan, past, present, future; those who we can’t see, for whom we pray and walk, those who we don´t “behold.” Are they “being-held?” By whom? Are they being held by coyotes, human traffickers, in prisons and prison-like detention centers? Or are they being-held in our hearts, prayers, and hopes? Is that enough? I say NO! We must now bring them forward through ourselves in action; saying “BEHOLD these are the people of God; incarnate in human form.” “BEHOLD these are the lambs of God who are created in His image. ¨ Are you ready to be the faces of those whose faces we do not see? Can we say BEHOLD we are here?
