"Pilgrimage is at the very heart of our faith."

The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

Welcome to Episcopal Journeys

“The world is like a book, and those who don’t travel will only read one page.”

These words were spoken very recently and echo back to a much earlier time. In 595 Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to spread Christianity to the Britons. He was a pilgrim in a strange land, yet his travel and ministry brought Christianity to the English-speaking world. In fact, all English-speaking Christians can trace their heritage to Augustine’s pilgrimage of faith!

At Faith Journeys, we strive to offer pilgrimage group travel that is true to our faith, and to Episcopal/Anglican heritage. From our program consultants to our operations team, our in-house flight specialists to our expert guides, the focus of every journey we plan is the spiritual experience of those with whom we partner. Our attention to detail allows you, as the group leader, the chance to absorb the pilgrimage experience while educating your group, never having to deal with the business end of your travel (hotel check-in/out, finding restaurants, booking visits, translating or logistics).

No matter if you are looking for a Bible-based pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan or Greece, an Anglican heritage tour of the great Cathedrals of England, a study on Celtic Christianity in Ireland and Scotland, walking the El Camino in Spain, or leading a group of youth on a Journey to Adulthood pilgrimage, we are here to help. Through our Episcopal Program Specialists, you will find a knowledge base of both church and destination. We work with you to build a pilgrimage itinerary that meets your needs, as custom designed as you require.

So, feel free to explore this web-page for a sampling of what we have to offer. If you have an idea or are seeking a destination that you don’t see here, please feel free to contact us and we will work with you to develop exactly what you are looking for to enhance the faith journeys of your community.

Darren Herring at Southwark Cathedral

About Our Team

Our team of pilgrimage consultants includes an Episcopal Specialist to help guide you through your planning and traveling experience. We also maintain many close relationships with Episcopal clergy and diocesan staff members from across the country who have worked with us and who are great resources for developing and maintaining a culture of pilgrimage to complement your formation offerings.

Our National Director of Sales, Darren Herring, has worked with the Episcopal Church for decades, in both parish and cathedral settings. He has led and worked in music programs and Christian education (J2A, RSCM and summer camp programs) and is a specialist in pilgrimage to the United Kingdom. Darren has a local and collegial knowledge of the UK, having both extensive travel experience and working within the British Cathedral system. He is certified in Safeguarding God’s People and Children, and serves currently with Diocesan level committees. In addition, his spouse is an Episcopal priest and a pilgrimage tour leader.

Episcopal Journeys to the Holy Land

Episcopal Journeys helps you to echo the invitation to “Come and See” to your community. From Bethlehem to Nazareth, from Capernaum to Jerusalem, you will be able to walk in the footsteps of Christ. If pilgrimage is truly at the heart of our faith, then visiting Israel should make our hearts beat with even more fervor and excitement.

Episcopal Journeys to the United Kingdom

The history and great cathedrals of the United Kingdom are deeply tied to The Episcopal Church. From the grandeur of buildings like Canterbury Cathedral, York Minster, King’s College Chapel and Westminster Abbey, we glimpse into the very foundations of our faith tradition. We are bound by the worldwide Anglican Communion, with its beautiful liturgy and tradition.

Celtic Christianity

The story of the Celtic Christians lies very close to many movements within the modern church. The dedication and deep spirituality of the early church leaders brought about shift in Christian understanding that is still present today. Sites throughout Ireland, Scotland and Northern England echo their former glory as centers for learning and spirituality. From the Isle of Iona, Lindisfarne (Holy Island), to the Wicklow Mountains, the experience of a “thin place” can still be found.

Greece and Turkey

A pilgrimage to Greece is a great way for any church to start or complete a study of the letters of the Apostle Paul. Visit to the actual sites of the earliest Christian Churches, can open up new areas for growth and Christian formation. To actually visit Corinth and Thessaloniki after walking the streets of Athens can bring prospective and understanding to our Bible study and lectionary.

Spain

Far more than just experiencing a new land or seeing new sights, our Pilgrimage along El Camino de Santiago de Compostela takes us through the spiritually rich and beautiful countryside of Galician Spain where we will reflect, come closer to God, and gratefully consider the sacrifices and dedication of those who have gone before.

Choir Residency

Each year, Episcopal Church choirs from across the United States spend a week or more serving as the “choir in residency” for cathedrals in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. There are options available for nearly all levels and sizes of choirs to participate in these life-changing and inspiring opportunities.

Journey to Adulthood/Youth Pilgrimage

Episcopal Journeys is well established as a leader in youth pilgrimage opportunities. Our Episcopal Specialists have experience in both youth programming and the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. Our itineraries for youth are specifically designed to follow the program elements of your chosen youth formation program.

Other Destinations

At Episcopal Journeys, we know that there are many religious sites around the world that you feel called to visit. That’s why we have a large number of other itineraries, not shown on this webpage, which you may like to explore. And, as always, we are happy to customize current selections or research and explore new destinations based on your interests.

“Our trip managed to touch on all of the important sights on our itinerary. We appreciated the ease of access to each site – carefully navigated by our tour guide. He was able to relay detailed stories and connect locations to scripture references. He was attentive to the group’s needs and made modifications to our schedule as desired – in short taking good care of everyone. We started our days a bit earlier and discovered the benefits of arriving before most sights became overcrowded. Overall, we left Israel with a much fuller understanding of its history and geography. The Faith Journey team made the planning and implementation of our trip smooth and easy. Responses to our questions and needs were always prompt. Darren and Samantha’s send-off at the airport was an unexpected effort – clearly going above and beyond – and much appreciated. Darren offered support all along the way; made a personal presentation at our church; and was always available for follow-up questions. Samantha did an excellent job in arranging our travel and hotel schedules as well as working with a few of our travelers who needed slightly different travel itineraries. My personal highlights included the renewal of our baptismal vows in the Jordan River and our time exploring the region of the Galilee. I also came away with a deeper understanding of the religious and political tensions within the region. Other travelers expressed delight in our time in Jerusalem – especially celebrating Holy Eucharist with the city of Jerusalem in the background.”

Reverend Dorian Mulvey

St. Anthony on the Desert

Contact Us

Contact us directly if you have any questions regarding a pilgrimage through the online form or at:

[email protected]