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Apply for Holy Pilgrimage to Ghana in 2027

Holy Pilgrimage to Cape Coast Ghana photos from 2026

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina has partnered with the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta through the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing to organize a Holy Pilgrimage to Cape Coast, Ghana in 2027. The week-long journey will include visits to sites connected to the trans-atlantic slave trade, including Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, tours of notable sites within the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, and opportunities to build enduring relationships with local churches and communities in Ghana, Atlanta, and South Carolina.

Organizers would like to acknowledge awareness of recent developments in Ghana concerning proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation, and these concerns are taken seriously. The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina’s strong commitment to justice for LGBTQ+ persons differs from positions reflected in recent actions of the Ghanaian government. At the same time, we have been encouraged by the welcoming spirit and more inclusive posture we have experienced in our relationship with the Diocese of Cape Coast, as well as by the strong support of our partners there and the relationships that have been built over many years. In addition, our partner diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, has deep experience in the region and longstanding relationships that help inform our planning and decision-making. With these factors in mind, we are moving forward with caution, care, and clarity in our pilgrimage plans. We will continue to reassess and adjust as needed.

We warmly invite you to consider participating in this Holy Pilgrimage. While preparing for such a journey requires time, commitment, and reflection, we believe it offers a transformative opportunity for spiritual growth, deeper understanding of our shared history, and meaningful relationship-building across cultures and communities.

A total of 16 participants from the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and 16 participants from The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina will be selected to join the pilgrimage, along with leaders from both dioceses. Because of the significant interest generated by previous visits and conversations across our dioceses, and because of the limited capacity of the pilgrimage, the selection process seeks to assemble a cohort that reflects the breadth of our diocesan communities, including a diversity of congregations, geographic regions, ages, backgrounds, and experiences.

This provides an overview of the timeline and commitments:

  • September 19–20, 2026: Pilgrimage Reunion & Launch of the 2027 Cohort in Atlanta, GA. The event will be held in person at the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing (AJECRH) in Atlanta, GA. A round-trip bus from Charleston to Atlanta will be offered.
  • October 10-11, 2026: Pilgrimage to Charleston, South Carolina. A round-trip bus from Atlanta to Charleston will be offered.
  • November 21, 2026: Zoom Formation Session 
  • Saturday, January 9, 2027: Zoom Formation Session (10-11 am)
  • Saturday, February 20, 2027: Zoom Formation Session (10-11 am)
  • Saturday, March 13, 2027: In-person Pilgrimage of Racial Healing Class at AJECRH & in-person Pilgrimage of Racial Healing Class in Charleston, South Carolina. (9 am to 4 pm)
  • Sunday, April 11 – Monday, April 20, 2027: Pilgrimage in Ghana, West Africa!
  • Saturday, May 1, 2027: Debrief Meeting via Zoom (10 am to 12 pm)

If you are interested in participating, please use this link  to submit an application through the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. Applicants will be notified of decisions by the 24th of August.

Because space is limited, not all applicants can be accommodated each year. We encourage those who are not selected for the 2027 pilgrimage to remain engaged with this growing partnership and to consider applying for future pilgrimages. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Rev. Canon Ramelle McCall at rmccall@episcopalchurchsc.org.