Reimagining Church: Making Room for Belief
In this column, Rev. Christian Coon reflects on the importance of making space in the church for both doubt and belief. Drawing on the idea that the Holy Spirit is actively at work am…
Location: Multiple locations across Illinois
Thurs., June 25 to Sun., June 28
Pilgrimage Orientation: Tues., June 2, 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom
The registration deadline is Sun., May 31. Space is limited.
Prices (price covers accommodations, entrance fees and meals):
- 1-day only (Thurs., June 25) in Chicago = $50
- 3-day trip (June 26 to June 28)
- Single occupancy room = $400
- Double occupancy room = $250
- 4-day trip (June 25 to June 28):
- Single occupancy room = $470
- Double occupancy room = $320
- Special Pricing for ages 18 to 25: $100 discount
The journey begins on June 25 with an optional pre-tour of Chicago. Attendees will see various historical landmarks within the city, setting the stage for the days to follow.
The main expedition officially kicks off the following day. Starting in at North Central College in Naperville or the IL Great Rivers Center in Springfield, the tour will visit a Lincoln-Douglas debate site in Ottowa and the El Paso Voting Rights Museum, eventually arriving in Springfield for dinner and an overnight stay.
On June 27, the pilgrimage will focus on the state capital’s deep ties to Abraham Lincoln. Unlike standard tours, this visit will specifically examine Lincoln’s policies and their impact on Black and Indigenous people. The tour will continue to the Collinsville area for the evening.
The final day, June 28, will be a time for both reflection and discovery. The group will participate in a worship service in East St. Louis, followed by a community lunch. In the afternoon, pilgrims will visit to the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to explore the indigenous history of the region. The journey will conclude with a return trip to the Springfield or Naperville area.
For questions, contact Tim Alexander for the Northern Illinois Conference or Curt Franklin for the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Pick-up/departure locations and times:
- Thurs., June 25: Optional Chicago Landmark tour: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (start location to be determined)
- Fri., June 26: North Central College, Naperville (8:00 a.m.) and IL Great Rivers Center, 5900 S. 2nd Street, Springfield (pick-up time to be determined)
- Sun., June 28: Upon leaving Cahokia Mounds, participants will be dropped off in Springfield and North Central College to pick up their vehicles or rides.
More details about pick-up and drop-off times are to be determined and will be announced on or before Tues., June. 2 during the online orientation.
His face and name are on our license plates, but what does it mean to be United Methodists living in the "Land of Lincoln"?
Join the Illinois Pilgrimage Committee for a tour through Illinois, where we will embark on a spiritual pilgrimage that confronts the deep-seated ironies of Illinois history. It is a journey that moves beyond simply venerating the state's most famous son to acknowledging how the state's celebrated image stands in contrast to its racial history. United Methodists are invited to intentionally engage in Illinois’ complex past, both revered and reviled, recognizing that genuine reconciliation and healing require an honest reckoning.
With such reckoning, the church, as the body of Christ in the world can love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in advancing justice, equity, and compassion within our local community and beyond.