October 27 – November 3
This fall, Church of the Redeemer invites you into a pilgrimage shaped by relationship, courage, and shared life at the U.S.–Mexico border.
Our journey begins in Cincinnati and carries us west to Phoenix, then south by road to Douglas, Arizona. There, we will spend time with the Rev. JJ Bernal and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church—a congregation rebuilding after a devastating arson attack rooted in Christian nationalism. Beginning here grounds our pilgrimage in resilience, witness, and the real cost of inclusive faith.
From Douglas, we will travel to Nogales and cross the border on foot, stepping intentionally into a different rhythm of life. We will be welcomed at La Casa de Misericordia, an ecumenical shelter run by churches that accompany migrants with dignity, care, and deep hospitality.
At La Casa, we will not come as helpers or observers, but as partners and learners. The heart of this pilgrimage is an exploration of bilateral partnership—working with rather than for. We will share prayer, meals, conversation, and daily life, alongside hands-on participation in community programs such as the tortilla factory, ukulele workshop, and trade schools. Many of the young people sheltered at La Casa are under the age of eighteen, and our presence will be shaped by humility, listening, and respect.
Our guiding commitment is simple and demanding: to walk in love with our siblings.
Our time in Nogales will coincide with All Saints, All Souls, and Día de los Muertos, offering a meaningful opportunity for shared remembrance, grief, and hope across cultures and traditions.
We will return to Phoenix on November 2 for a final day of reflection, rest, and shared meals before returning to Cincinnati on November 3—changed not because we crossed a border, but because we allowed ourselves to be changed by relationship.
This is not a trip.
It is a pilgrimage.
