Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope
Durham’s story. Your story. God’s story.
Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope
The Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope is an opportunity to discover how your spiritual journey is connected to the place you live – Durham, NC. Through the pilgrimage you will immerse yourself in the story of the city and the Biblical story as you reflect with others on what it means for how you live your life in Durham. Join us for this transformative experience connecting Durham’s story, your story and God’s story.
2023 Pilgrimage Dates
Open Pilgrimages (anyone can register)
March 10th-12th, 2023
October 20th-22nd, 2023
Custom Pilgrimages (reserved for designated groups)
Duke Chapel: February 24th-26th, 2023
Duke Memorial UMC: April 21st-23rd, 2023
Raleigh Vineyard: October 13th-15th, 2023
Duke Chapel: October 27th-29th, 2023
testimonials
Main Components
1. Weekend Immersion
A weekend where participants visit sites and hear from key leaders in Durham, learning its story. There is time for reflection and prompting to engage with challenging questions about history, identity, and community. Meals will be provided.
2. Pilgrim Journey Discussions
Participants will gather for meetings before the weekend immersion to prepare for the journey, and after the immersion for reflection.
3. Pilgrimage Alumni Network
Pilgrimage is more than a one-time experience – it is a way of life. That’s why we help pilgrimage alumni stay connected through a communication network and gatherings throughout the year.
4. Pilgrim Life Events
The values that are learned through the Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope continue to be cultivated through smaller events that help connect Durham’s story, your story and God’s story. See the announcements section and our events page for upcoming Pilgrim Life Events.
The cost of the Weekend Immersion and Pilgrim Journey Discussions is $150, which includes all meals, speakers, and admission to each of the sites. Scholarships are available so that the cost will not be prohibitive. There are 20 spots available, and we will notify registrants if they are selected. DurhamCares can also organize a customized pilgrimage for your group at a different cost. Contact Rev. Williams if you’re interested at swilliams@durhamcares.org.

The Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope Video Curriculum is a complete video series based on the transformative Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope Weekend Immersion. While the Video Curriculum is not a substitute for the Weekend Immersion, it deepens the journey for people who have been on the Weekend Immersion and provides a pilgrimage-based opportunity for those unable to participate in the Weekend Immersion.
The Pilgrimage Video Curriculum is currently undergoing production. If you would like to be notified when it’s complete, sign up below.
Announcements
If your group would like us to organize a Pilgrimage for you in 2023 or 2024, contact Rev. Williams at swilliams@durhamcares.org.
DurhamCares Executive Director, Reynolds Chapman, and two pilgrimage participants, write about pilgrimage in the Church Health Reader. Read reflections from two pilgrimage participants here.
Keith Daniel writes about pilgrimage in Faith and Leadership.
DurhamCares can organize a custom pilgrimage for your
church, organization, or any group
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED
sample pilgrimage itinerary
Friday Evening
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Meet at Stagville Plantation (5828 Old Oxford Road, Durham, NC) and get settled
4:15pm – 4:45pm
Devotional to prepare for the Pilgrimage Immersion
4:45pm – 5:30pm
Native/Indigenous Story in Durham
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Stagville Historical Site Tour
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Dinner at Stagville with guided reflection
Saturday
Morning
8:30am – 11:30am
Meet at ReCity for guided walking pilgrimage of downtown Durham (112B Broadway Street, Durham, NC)
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Pauli Murray
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The Carolina Theatre
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Black Wall Street – Parrish Street
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Former Woolworths/One City Center
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Discover Durham Visitors Bureau
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Durham History Hub Museum
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Duke Memorial United Methodist Church
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NC Mutual Life Insurance Company
Saturday
Afternoon
11:30am – 1:00pm
Lunch at Provident 1898 (411 W Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC)
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Personal Reflection time at Provident 1898 and around downtown
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Virginia Williams (1957 Royal Ice Cream Sit-In Participant) at Provident 1898)
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Break
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Story of the Hayti community (WG Pearson Center – 1200 Spaulding Street, Durham, NC)
Sunday
9:45am -11:30am
Worship (Mt. Level MBC, 316 Hebron Road, Durham, NC)
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Lunch and presentation about the Latina/o community (Mt. Level MBC)
2:20pm – 3:25pm
Durham Then, Durham Now Panel (ReCity)
3:30pm – 6:30pm
Talking Circle and Dinner (ReCity)