We Made It This Far

This morning at 11:30 AM we arrived at the legislative building in Raleigh, North Carolina!

We were greeted by friends and well-wishers and held a brief press conference. We then gathered in a prayer circle around the NC State Seal on the plaza in front of the legislative building. Next we ate lunch and talked with some of our legislators about our journey, about our purposes in walking and about the NC Racial Justice Act, which should reach the floor of the House for a vote next week.

Then we went home.

Seems rather anti-climactic at this point.

The journey has been so intense - spiritually, physically, emotionally and in other ways. There are more stories to tell and experiences needing reflection. First, I need a little rest and a pause to reflect. I promise that we'll have more stories posted here soon...

In the meantime, consider inviting us for some conversation with a few individuals or a large group some time. We like that way of sharing Pilgimage stories as well.

SOfAR Pilgrims arrive in Raleigh 11:30 AM today - Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Sojourners for Abolition and Reconciliation

SOfAR

“We have come so far! We have so far to go!”

Please join us for the conclusion of the 2009 SOfAR Pilgrimage by participating in SOfAR Lobby Day on Tuesday, June 30th.

Our 300-mile walk of prayer and public witness through eastern North Carolina concludes on Tuesday, June 30th in Raleigh with a two-block walk to the NC General Assembly to talk with legislators about our journey, our goals and pending legislation that can move us in the right direction.

While one of our primary goals - abolition of the death penalty - is not on this year’s legislative agenda, we can take an important step in reforming our existing death penalty with passage of the Racial Justice Act, a bill that addresses racial bias in our capital punishment system.

Schedule for SOfAR Lobby Day
10:00 AM House Judiciary I Committee will hear the NC Racial Justice Act in Room 1228 of the Legislative Building, 16 West Jones Street.

11:30 PM SOfAR Pilgrims arrive in Raleigh: Press Conference in front of Legislative Building, 16 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC.

12:30 PM Greet and eat with Pilgrims at First Presbyterian Church, 111 W. Morgan St., Raleigh in Memorial Fellowship Hall. Bring your own lunch.

1:00 PM Brief orientation: “How to talk to legislators” and update on the Racial Justice Act.

1:30-3:00 Visit Legislators and talk with them about RJA and other concerns.

Our 2009 Pilgrimage is nearly completed, but our job is not yet accomplished. We have indeed come so far and we indeed have so far to go! Please join us for these next important steps of our journey!

SOfAR Pilgrimage 2009 nears conclusion

We wake up Monday morning in the retreat-like home of some old friends near Smithfield. We’ve walked some 283 miles and have 31 to go, which will push us beyond 300 miles. (It will take each of us doing a little extra to accomplish abolition of the death penalty and healing for families.)

This morning we’ll arrive at the Johnston County courthouse where we will pray especially for victims and perpetrators of homicide and the families of both and we will also pray for persons falsely accused, for judges, jurors, bailiffs, attorneys, reporters, clerks and all those who are pulled into the trauma around each homicide. Then we will seek five minutes of District Attorney Susan Doyle’s time to talk with her about our concerns for families and our issues with the death penalty. We will assure her that we want her to do her job effectively, justly, safely and with compassion.

We will walk out of Smithfield and through Clayton before stopping for the day on the east side of Garner. We hope to end today’s walking (and begin Tuesday’s walking) near the US-70 intersection with White Oak Road near Best Buy (this is not an ad for BB – it just provides a locatable landmark).

Look for information about Tuesday's schedule coming soon.