Pilgrimage for the Planet

The Climate Justice Committee of the Eastern Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, ELCIC in collaboration with various ecumenical partners is hosting Pilgrimage for the Planet, A Climate Action Pilgrimage and peaceful demonstration in support of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

A variety of paths for participation have been created for sojourners: cycling pilgrimage, variety of local walking pilgrimages, a personal pilgrimage (walking or armchair), or online pilgrimage with others.

There will be ZoomCast to learn about these various avenues of participation on March 13 at 6:30 Eastern time.

If you are unable to attend the ZoomCast you are still most welcome to join in the type of journey that is best for you. The Pilgrimage options are listed below.

Cycling Pilgrimage from Montréal to Ottawa, 10-11 May 2025.

• Pilgrims will be completing the 194-kilometre trek from Montreal to Ottawa by bike over the course of two days. Most of the journey can be completed on the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail, an old railway right-of-way turned to a bike path. We will be sleeping in churches along the way (bringing along your own sleeping mats and bags). Leaving Montreal on Saturday May 10th, and arriving in Ottawa on May 11th, the pilgrimage will culminate in a peaceful demonstration in downtown Ottawa calling on the federal government to sign onto and implement the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, happening on May 12th. We also invite those in Ottawa to join us for the final leg of the journey through central Ottawa on the afternoon of Sunday May 11th.

More details to follow!

• IMPORTANT:  As you consider your participation in this event designed to bring awareness to the dire need to reduce our use of fossil fuels, please consider the implications of how your are traveling to and from the event. It might be a wise option to choose one of the other method of pilgrimage below.
• Sign-up for more information, to help, or to cycle.

• Peaceful Demonstration – Morning of Monday 12 May 2025.

Please sign up at the link above if you would like to receive more information about this event.

Contact Us

If you are interested in participating in any of the events, please register through the provided links.

To reach program organizers for other information email us.

Organize or Participate in a Local Pilgrimage.

We are looking for people to organize pilgrimages in your own community. Because of safety concerns

we are encouraging these to be primarily walking events or very small cycling events.

• Steps to organize a local pilgrimage.

If you would like to organize a local Pilgrimage in your community here are some points to consider.                     

• Determine: length, level of difficulty, date, start time, the route, and the number of people that can safely be accommodated.
  • Route considerations:
    • that it would, if possible, intersect with earth, water, and sky elements.
    • That it is safe and away from moving vehicles as much as possible.
    • That it can accommodate safely the maximum number of people you intend.
  • Who will you invite?  How to get word out?
  • Please use the Pilgrimage Guide for reflection along the way.
  • Register your pilgrimage with us so others know and join you.

• Find a Pilgrimage near you.  (Coming Soon)
• Link for the Pilgrimage Guide (Coming Soon)

Journey on your own pilgrimage

• Walk by yourself or with companions
  • You may make this pilgrimage anytime you wish.
  • Decide where you want to go. If possible, try to intersect with earth, water, and sky elements.
  • Please use the Pilgrimage Guide for reflection along the way.

• Share with us that you have taken your own pilgrimage. (Coming Soon_

• Embark on an armchair pilgrimage.

Even though you may not be able to actually get outside for a pilgrimage you can still take one from the comfort of your own home.

• Please use the Pilgrimage Guide for reflection.
  • Inform us that you have taken an armchair pilgrimage (Coming Soon)

Join in a Virtual Pilgrimage with others on zoom.

Gather with others on zoom to embark on a virtual pilgrimage together. There will also be a time when those on the cycling pilgrimage will join us for an update.

• Saturday 10 May 2025 at TBD, check back soon!
  •  Link for registration to zoom event  – Eventbrite (Coming Soon)