New Zealand (Aotearoa, which is pronounced "ow-tear-roh-ah". The name is made up of the words ao, tea, and roa, which roughly translate to "long bright world" or "long white cloud)

January 1-13, 2026

Pilgrimage of Friendship

How to connect in a world divided

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.” Gandolf in The Hobbit

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“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16b). Ruth to Naomi

What a pilgrimage is not:

• A vacation - you will be uncomfortable, expected to show up even when you don’t feel like it, open to the unexpected
• A mission trip - we serve in our home context where we have relationships and long term investment. We learn, observe, respect other places in this world so we may be transformed and opened
• A church exclusive trip - anyone is welcome, but you need to be open to worship, small groups, exploring big questions without cynicism and disdain. Participants need to be team players willing to work for building community. This trip is not “for you”, it is “by you”. We expect everyone to help lead, clean up, share, and ask questions of each other.

Pilgrimage

“Pilgrimages make it possible to move physically, through the exertions of one’s body, step-by-step, toward those intangible spiritual goals that are otherwise so hard to grasp.. We are eternally perplexed by how to move towards healing, or forgiveness or truth, but we know how to walk from here to there, however arduous a journey.”��~ Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust, A History of Walking

What to expect:

• Three fundraisers where everyone participates or donates. This is where we get to know each other, invest in the trip, and I get to see what people do under stress. I don’t have time or energy to be legalistic so do what you can and don’t make me nag
• Housing from January 1-13. Group ticket to New Zealand from Honolulu on January 2. Debating on return group ticket. Transportation for entire time and food for 2/3rds.
• Something will go wrong and it will be fine
• No cell phones at retreat center (they will be deposited in a secure box). Exceptions may be made, but I feel very strongly about this
• There is time to explore on your own, but group time is sacred

Honolulu

January 1-2

Thursday, January 1 JNU-Honolulu 5:20 am-8:25 pm (get your own ticket)

Overnight in Honolulu near airport

Friday, January 2 Honolulu - Auckland (1:05 pm - 9:20 pm +1) on Hawaiian Air (group ticket)

Auckland

January 3-4

Arrive at 9:20 pm on Saturday, January 3 and stay in Auckland for the night near the airport

We’ll depart on Sunday, January 4

Rotorua

January 4-6

Service Opportunity

Hobbiton

Glow Worm Caves

Maori dancing and cultural experience

Redwoods Tree Walk

Rotorua, a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. In Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, there are bubbling mud pools and the 30m-tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily. It’s also home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, with traditional wood carving and weaving schools

Vaughan Park Retreat Center

January 6-13

Tuesday, January 6-13 Vaughan Park Retreat Center near Torbay

https://www.vaughanpark.org.nz/

-20 km pilgrimage (https://pilgrimagesaotearoa.nz/the-sea-path)

-https://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/11-must-do-north-island-experiences/

Return is flexible?

Kirt and I might stay longer to hike in South Island

Tuesday, January 13 Auckland-Honolulu (11:30 pm - 9:20 am)

Tuesday, January 13 Honolulu - JNU (10:21 pm - 8:44 am+1)

Estimated Cost

Estimated Cost before any fundraising:

$500 JNU-Honolulu tickets (on your own - can do miles or companion)

$1400 Honolulu-Auckland (Hawaiian Airlines probably group)

$75 Hotel in Honolulu per person

$150 Housing in Auckland & Rotorua

$375 Housing at Retreat Center (7 nights)

$500 Food & Transportation (rough guess)

$3000 USD Total (please note NZD is .59 USD when you look at prices on line)

What happens next?

$100 deposit due January 5 - will go to group food costs

Form with information - double check your passport name because it was a nightmare

First fundraiser is January 5-11 (clothing sale)

Monthly Zoom Check In with three options for time

Questions??