Please join us for the following special events:
Pilgrimage Day
Saturday, February 25, 2023
9:00am to 4:00pm
from the Venerable Brenda Gilbert, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Western North Carolina
PLAN AHEAD FOR PILGRIMAGE DAY. In honor of Black History Month, historically black churches around Western North Carolina will open their doors 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday, Feb. 25 to tell their stories and welcome guests to listen. Organize a pilgrimage with your congregation by contacting parishes listed on the BARRIER BREAKERS WEBSITE. Bishop José and his group will be visiting St. Matthias, Asheville; St. Gabriel, Rutherfordton; and Good Shepherd, Tryon; up to 30 people (first-come, first served) may join the Bishop by signing up and Good Shepherd. RSVP at this link.
Join Bishop José for the Barrier Breakers Pilgrimage Day as we visit St. Matthias’, St. Gabriel’s, and Good Shepherd to hear the stories of historically Black churches. We will meet at St. Matthias’ in Asheville at 10:00 am and eat lunch at our second stop, St. Gabriel’s in Rutherfordton. The journey will conclude at Good Shepherd, Tryon around 3:30 pm.
Pilgrimage Day is an open house event from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for all churches on the pilgrimage. Each pilgrimage parish will have open doors during this time, with the audio recordings playing from the series and parish members available to answer questions.
Historically Black churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina include St. Matthias’, Asheville; St. Stephen’s, Morganton; St. Cyprian’s, Lincolnton; St. Gabriel’s, Rutherfordton; Good Shepherd, Tryon; St. Barnabas’, Murphy; and St. Cyprian’s, Franklin. Some of these churches have joined others and may no longer have a building. Visit barrierbreakerspilgrimage.org for more information about organizing your own pilgrimage.