On this page, find everything you need to know about our 2024 Pilgrimage to Renewal.
Thanks be to God for this opportunity!
Local Pilgrimage Ideas Submitted So Far
*Ideas marked “full” are at max capacity; but you can always do something similar in a new group! *If you need childcare to join a group, we have additional funds; let us know.
- See Little Women (Morris PAC), read Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (referenced in the play) – contact Elizabeth McGrath (mcgrath@alumni.nd.edu)
- Visit St. Andrew, the local Greek Orthodox Church – contact Vickie Hess (vhess54@gmail.com)
- Visit the Creation Museum / Ark – contact Kristie Sherburn (k7018@sbcglobal.net)
- Labyrinths as a Spiritual Practice – contact Amy Smessaert (amyhsmessaert@gmail.com)
- Valparaiso Architecture Pilgrimage (COMPLETED Feb 24th)
- St. Peter Ministry and Architecture Pilgrimage with the Mangelsdorfs – contact Brian Reedstrom (brianreedstrom@gmail.com)
- Fellowship, Fishing/Fly-tying, and Fishing Devotion at the Schroeder Cottage in MI, optional Catfish Dinner at Restaurant (up to 3 households, one at a time) – contact John Schroeder (jschroeind@aol.com)
- A.B.L.E. (Adult Baby Lutheran Excursions): “newer” Lutherans visit historic LCMS churches in N. Indiana / Fort Wayne (FULL)
- From St. Peter to St. Paul: Follow (by car) in the steps of St. Peter’s first pastor, who walked to Chicago for the LCMS Founding Convention (1847), with stops along the way – Contact Andrew Deliyannides (adeliyan@nd.edu) **CANCELLED**
- Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages: Discuss excerpts from literary works like Canterbury Tales, The Divine Comedy, Piers Plowman, and Pearl; or, a history of medieval pilgrimage – Contact Andrew Deliyannides (adeliyan@nd.edu)
- Pilgrimage in Cinema: 3-4 households choose 3 movies over 3 months: e.g. Wizard of Oz, Mad Max, The Lord of the Rings, Dumb & Dumber, The Road, The Way, etc. (FULL)
- Visit the Birthplace of the Hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” in Pokagon, MI – Contact Dave Seitz (david.seitz05@gmail.com)
- Visit/Tour the Church at Ancilla in Donaldson, IN associated with the Mother House for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ; could link with a trip to the ND Basilica – contact Brian Reedstrom (brianreedstrom@gmail.com)
- Mozart’s Requiem and The Christian Funeral, March 17: Attend a performance of the Requiem at DeBartolo and discuss in connection to the “theology and practice of the funeral” here at St. Peter. Contact John Schroeder ASAP for info and to order tickets (jschroeind@aol.com)
- Potato Creek Nature Walk – See and hear God’s creation starting at the Nature Center, taking pictures of the birds. The walk may be 2-3 miles on trails. Then have a light meal or snack afterwards. – Contact Dave Gurnee (dave.gurnee@gmail.com)
- Potawatomi Zoo – Reflect on the beauty and variety of God’s creatures. – Contact Dave Gurnee (dave.gurnee@gmail.com)
- Family Game Night – SPLC families with children/young children/youth gather at church to get to know one another, enjoy an intergenerational activity, and BIOMEN SYNDESMOI. Each family brings a favorite game or two and a snack to share. – Needs a coordinator
- The Reluctant Pilgrim – Discussions over traveling unexpected paths/suffering, using biblical and other readings, to strengthen each other in faith as we deal with the trials of life. – Contact Lori Borger (llborger@icloud.com)
Jan 21 Study, Sermon, and Discussion: OUR Local Pilgrimages
- Overview and Sample Ideas – Click button above
- Zoom Recording of the Jan 21 Conversation on Local Pilgrimages
- Sermon on Pilgrimage: A Restful, Right Re-ordering of Our Lives: Facebook (sermon starts at 24:45); Vimeo glitched
Jan 14 Study, Sermon, and Discussion: Renewal and Pilgrimage
9am Class: A Biblical Definition of Renewal; Brainstorming Renewal at St. Peter
Worship & Sermon: Introducing Pilgrimage
Today’s worship began with a wonderful double baptism, and the liturgy itself has much to say about renewal and pilgrimage. Watch it all on Facebook or Vimeo.
The Sermon, “Journey – or Pilgrimage?,” begins at 42:30 (jump to sermon on Vimeo)