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Pilgrimage

For Leaders

Theme:

Let Your Perceptions Shatter! For more information about the 2019 Theme, go here.

Registration:

Registration for the 2019 Pilgrimage Weekend begins on September 3, 2019. For more information, go here.

Devotionals:

We invite groups (both youth and their leaders) to take intentional time together throughout the weekend to pray, reflect upon and discuss what is heard and experienced at the event. Devotional materials can be found here.

Accessibility:

The Pilgrimage Ministry and the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church aim to produce an event that enables all attendees, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. More information on accessibility can be found here.

Schedule:

The Pilgrimage Weekend includes 4 concert-style worship sessions with guest speakers, music from the House Band and participating youth and groups. The schedule, specifically session end times, is subject to change. Schedule changes will be appropriately communicating to the registering group leader. The full weekend schedule can be found here.

Event Logistics:

Each attendee is required to have a lanyard with badge for access to the Crown Coliseum for the 2019 event. Any attendee older than 2 years of age will need to pay for admission to receive an access badge. Parking is general and unreserved; the 2019 General Parking Pass can be found here. Printed parking passes will not be available onsite and are needed to access the parking lot on Friday for registration.

Missions:

For 25 years, Pilgrimage has been providing opportunities for missions at the Pilgrimage weekend event. Eat For Relief, a community fundraising meal of hamburgers and hotdogs raising money for hurricane relief, will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. following the completion of the Saturday Morning session. In its first year, Eat For Relief aims to provide a space for community and conversation while raising funds to support hurricane relief. More information on Eat For Relief can be found here.

Participation:

Sunday Banner Processional:

The Pilgrimage Banner Processional is a long-standing tradition during the annual Pilgrimage weekend. Youth groups are invited to make a banner or use a banner from past years to represent their group. Two (2) youth are then invited to participate in the processional that occurs at the beginning of the Sunday Morning session. Banner guidelines can be found here.

Items for Sale:

  • Pilgrimage Apparel: Apparel can be purchased online prior to the Pilgrimage Weekend for pickup at the event. Online ordering begins September 3, 2019 and ends October 11, 2019. Shirts and sweatshirts will also be on-sale during the event at the YSF Table on the concourse.
    • Short sleeve: $10
    • Long sleeve: $15
    • Sweatshirt: $30
  • Youth Service Fund offering: An offering will be taken for Youth Service Fund during the Sunday Morning Session. Cash donations, as well as online credit card donations, will be accepted.
  • Concourse display tables: Vendor partners with great resources and opportunities for mission and ministry across the state of the North Carolina will exhibit on the concourse at Pilgrimage. Some may have items for sale.
  • Concessions: Concession stands will be open Friday Night, Saturday Morning and Saturday Night. Popcorn, nachos, soft drinks, candy and other items will be available for purchase. No hot foods will be served. Soft drinks will be available for purchase on Sunday Morning until the start of the session.
    • Note: concession stands are operated by the venue and prices are reflected in this. The Pilgrimage Ministry has no control over the cost of items for purchase at the concession stands. 

Safe Sanctuary:

The annual Pilgrimage event is a Safe Sanctuary event. During the 2005 Annual Conference of the NC Conference of the United Methodist Church, local churches were directed to establish for themselves Safe Sanctuary policies and procedures. During the Pilgrimage Weekend, local church Safe Sanctuary policies and procedures apply to each group.

General guidelines include:

  1. Adult Supervision: Each group must provide its own adult supervision. At least two (2) adults are required per group. A ratio of one (1) adult to seven (7) youth is further required. Adults in attendance should be screened and qualified by the church that they are representing. It is further recommended that adults in attendance be at least 21 years old and 5 years older than the oldest youth.
  2. Transportation: Only authorized, screened and qualified adults may drive group transportation vehicles. Youth with parental permission may provide (at the group’s discretion) transportation for themselves – they may not provide transportation for other youth.
  3. Counseling: Adult leaders counseling youth should do so in an open, visible area and with another adult present.
  4. Parental permission: Parental permission must be granted to each group in accordance with local church policy.
  5. Sleeping arrangements: Adults should not be housed in the same room with youth.
  6. Emergency plan: Each group should have an established plan and response in the case of an accident or emergency.

Covenant of Conduct:

The Pilgrimage Ministry asks for the full acceptance of the event Covenant of Conduct by youth and adult leaders. The covenant follows three, Wesleyan-based themes:

  1. Do No Harm
  2. Do Good
  3. Stay in Love with God

For more information, visit here.

Saturday Afternoon Options:

Groups often occupy the Saturday Afternoon break between sessions with mission or group-bonding activities. Below is a non-comprehensive list of activities that groups have participated in in the past.

  • The Climbing Place. phone: 910-486-9638
  • Rockfish Outdoor Center. phone: 910-425-3529
    • Join Camp Rockfish during your free time on Saturday, November 9, 2019 to keep your spirits up and stomachs happy! Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center is excited to open their doors to Pilgrimage participants for an afternoon full of fun activities, Christ-filled environment and delicious food. Activities open include archery, BBs, Bazooka ball, arts and crafts, s’mores, hay ride, hiking, sports tournaments and more! The camp opens at noon, and is open exclusively for Pilgrimage participants. Limitless activities are $15/person. Lunch and dinner are both available for $10/person for each meal at Camp Rockfish. Call (910) 425-3529 to make your reservation! More information is here.
  • Airborne and Special Operations Museum. phone: 910-643-2766
  • North View Bowling Lanes. phone: 910-822-6446
  • Omni Plaza Fun, Fun, Fun Amusement Center. phone: 910-864-1307
  • Athlete’s Choice Batting Center. phone: 910-487-4487
  • Round-A-Bout Skating Centers
    • Raeford Road location phone: 910-860-8900
    • Elm Street location phone: 910-484-4465
  • Hubb’s Farm (additional discounts available for booking before October 15, 2019). phone: 910-564-6709

Housing Options:

Groups attending Pilgrimage are responsible for their own lodging for the weekend – some groups stay in local church fellowship halls and others in hotels. The Pilgrimage Ministry partners with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber to coordinate special pricing for hotel accommodations in Fayetteville for the Pilgrimage Weekend. Below is a list of hotels offering a rate for Pilgrimage 2019. This list will be updated as availability changes. Housing options can also be found on the Greater Fayetteville Chamber website.