By Rev. Philip Allred
Most of us like what is familiar. We like our routines, our schedules, and our opinions. There is nothing wrong with that. But comfort has a cost. When we stay where we are comfortable, we only experience what we already know.
This week’s scripture is Luke 10:31-33 (NRSVUE). Jesus tells a story about a man in hurt and in need on a road. Luke 10:31 says, “Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.” Passing by is easy. It asks nothing of us. We keep our schedule, our distance, and our comfort.
Then Luke 10:33 says, “But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion.” Stepping toward suffering is harder than stepping past it. It costs us time. It costs us ease. Sometimes it costs us certainty.
That is why we go on a pilgrimage.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation. It is a journey with a purpose. We go to the places where history was lived. We stand where it happened. Reading about hard history is one thing. Standing in the room, on the ground, on the bridge, is another.
We go to attend to the history of racism and the resistance to it, in our past and in our present. We go to ask what each of us needs to address in ourselves, our congregation, and our community. And we go to ask the bigger question: what is the next faithful step for the well-being of our own souls and the healing of the world?
We go to listen, to learn, and to be changed.
In February 2027, a small group from our church will travel to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama. Space is limited to 10 pilgrims, and the cost is covered by a generous grant. Applications are due October 31, 2026. We would love for you to apply! You can read all the details and apply here: https://fumcwp.org/events/civil-rights-pilgrimage-to-montgomery-and-selma-alabama/
If you feel a nudge, don’t talk yourself out of it. Step outside your comfort zone and apply.
A team of lay leaders will choose the group, looking to build a diverse group with different ideas and backgrounds. If you are not chosen this time, please hear this. We hope to take many more trips. Keep stepping forward with us.
Don’t pass by. Step toward.