All Church Event
From Reformation Roots to Musical Heights
A Pilgrimage of Faith and Witness
with Luther, Bach, and Bonhoeffer
April 8-16, 2026
Led by Deacon Mitzi Budde of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Hickory, NC) and The Rev. Stewart Lucas of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church (Atlanta, GA), this pilgrimage invites you to travel through the heart of Germany where history, faith, and music converge. The trip begins on the Wednesday after Easter, April 8-16, 2026, with an optional extension to Prague, April 16-19.
From the printing presses of Mainz to the music halls of Leipzig, from the doors of Wittenberg to the silent witness of Berlin’s memorials, we will follow the paths of Martin Luther, J.S. Bach, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Along the way, we will reflect on the legacy of courageous faith and consider how it continues to shape our call to faith, discipleship, justice, creativity, and community today.
This trip brings together Episcopal and Lutheran pilgrims in a shared journey of spiritual exploration, worship, and friendship. Through prayer, travel, conversation, and shared meals, we’ll deepen our connection to God, to one another, and to the enduring story of faith. We invite you to contact Mitzi or Stewart for more information, and plan to join us at the informational meeting on June 22 to learn more about the itinerary, costs, and how you can be part of this transformative experience. Registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, opening online at noon on June 25.
The Rev. T. Stewart Lucas, a cradle Episcopalian, was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. With a family deeply rooted in the love of gardening, he pursued a degree in Horticulture from the University of Georgia. During his time there, he became actively involved with the Episcopal College Chaplaincy and discerned a call to ordination. Stewart went on to attend Virginia Theological Seminary, graduating in 2001. Just two days after graduation, he married his husband, Doug, and the couple moved to Maryland.
Stewart began his ministry as an assistant at churches in Baltimore and Annapolis. He later returned to Baltimore to serve as the rector of The Church of the Nativity, Cedarcroft. During his tenure, the neighboring Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter sold their building and joined the Episcopal congregation, forming a unique 'Lutherpalian' church family. Under Stewart's leadership, the combined congregations navigated grief, compromise, creativity, and growth, eventually expanding their campus by acquiring two additional buildings.
In the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Stewart served in various leadership roles, including President of the Standing Committee, member of the Bishop Search Committee, and Deputy to General Convention. He continues to contribute to the broader church as a member of the national Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee and the Commission on LGBTQ+ Ministry for the Diocese of Atlanta.
In August 2022, Stewart was called to be the Vicar of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, where he coordinates worship planning, communications, parish life, and other duties as assigned. Stewart and his husband Doug, an accountant, reside in Sandy Springs with their Basset Hound, Esther.
Throughout his ministry, Rev. Lucas has been committed to fostering unity and collaboration within the Christian community, exemplified by his leadership in merging Episcopal and Lutheran congregations. He has also addressed contemporary challenges facing the church, such as declining attendance, by promoting innovative approaches to ministry. wbaltv.com
His dedication to inclusivity and service continues to enrich the communities he serves, reflecting his deep faith and commitment to the Episcopal Church's mission.
Contact | slucas@holyinnocents.org
Deacon Mitzi Budde is a cradle Lutheran and a native North Carolinian. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, she pursued her Master of Arts in Religion at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Master of Librarianship from the University of South Carolina, and her Doctor of Ministry in Ecumenism and Reconciliation from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
After five years as Library Director and Assistant Professor at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Mitzi moved to Virginia [Episcopal] Theological Seminary in Alexandria in 1991, where she served as Head Librarian and Professor for 33 years. She managed the Bishop Payne Library, taught courses in ecumenism, and led Lutheran chapel teams. She was a faculty leader for seminary study trips to Italy, China, and Japan and served as the faculty advisor for “Your Story Matters” Bible study at the Trusdale Detention Center in Alexandria. Upon retiring from VTS in December 2024, she was honored with the title of Professor Emerita.
Deacon Mitzi is an ordained deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), now serving as Deacon for Older Adult Discipleship at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory. She lives in Hickory with her husband, John, and their three cats: Emily, Hattie, and Lottie.
Mitzi was an ELCA representative to the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee for sixteen years, where she chaired the task force on the exchangeability of the diaconate. She co-authored Daring to Share, a book that explores multi-denominational congregations in the U.S. and Canada, and she was editor and a writer for Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book.
Ecumenism, reconciliation, and collaborative ministry have been central themes of Dr. Budde’s career. She believes that our Christian witness is stronger and more faithful when we speak together with a united voice. Contact: deaconmitzi@htlchickory.org
FAQ
What is this trip?
This trip is an ecumenical pilgrimage to Germany, entitled “From Reformation Roots to Musical Heights: A Pilgrimage of Faith and Witness with Luther, Bach, and Bonhoeffer.” The trip brochure has the full travel itinerary.
What is a pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is praying with our feet to encounter God in new ways in new places. This journey brings together Episcopal and Lutheran pilgrims in a shared act of spiritual exploration and friendship. Through prayer, conversation, and shared meals, we’ll deepen our connection to God, to one another, and to the enduring story of faith.
What’s the purpose of this pilgrimage?
This physical journey will also be a faith journey: from the printing presses of Mainz to the music halls of Leipzig, from the doors of Wittenberg to the silent witness of Berlin’s memorials, we will follow the paths of Martin Luther, J.S. Bach, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Along the way, we will reflect on the legacy of courageous faith and consider how it continues to shape our call to discipleship, justice, creativity, and community today.
When will the trip take place?
This trip begins on the Wednesday after Easter: April 8-16, 2026, and continues to April 19 for those who choose the optional Prague extension.
Who are the trip leaders?
Deacon Mitzi Budde, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hickory, NC and the Rev. Stewart Lucas, Vicar of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta.
Who’s handling the logistics?
The trip logistics are being coordinated by Good Shepherd Travel, Lantana, TX, through Tony Abuaita, travel agent.
What is the size of the group?
The maximum of is 44 people, 20 from each congregation (Holy Trinity Lutheran and Holy Innocents Episcopal), plus clergy leaders.
Are there physical requirements for travelers?
- Yes, participants must be over 21 years old.
- You’ll need to have the physical stamina for long travel days on buses.
- You’ll need to have the ability to walk up to 5 miles per day on hilly and cobblestone streets. Comfortable walking shoes are a must!
- From the Good Shepherd Travel Trip Brochure: Due to the difficult terrain at sites we visit, persons requiring oxygen or oxygen therapy will not be permitted on the tour. For reasons of passenger safety and well-being, persons with impaired mobility, vision, or mental capacity will not be permitted on the tour. Good Shepherd Travel reserves the right to refuse passage to someone who is in such physical or mental condition as to be unfit for travel or who may require care and attention beyond that which the tour guide and tour host can provide. The tour requires a substantial amount of walking, and the sites are not accessible by wheelchair.
Are there other traveler requirements? Yes!
- You must hold a valid passport.
- Come with a willingness to travel amicably and generously with 39 other pilgrims, some of whom will begin as strangers and hopefully will end as friends in Christ.
- Bring an attitude of openness to the differences you will encounter, both with your fellow travelers and with local customs and cultures.
- Don’t feel that you need to be a scholar in history, religion, or music to join this trip! Just come with the desire to be a pilgrim on a faith journey with other pilgrims and an openness to the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart and soul throughout these days.
What are the costs for the trip?
From the Trip Brochure: Rate per Person: Double Room: $4,790; Single Supplement $990; Prague extension: $790; Prague extension single supplement: $200.
What does the rate include?
- Round-trip economy airline ticket from Atlanta or Charlotte; group meets in Frankfurt
- Hotels on Half-board basis: breakfast & dinner provided (3-course meal with bread, water, and 1 glass of wine or soft drink); lunch not included
- Air-conditioned 49-seater bus with Wifi from day 2 to day 9
- Professional English-speaking tour escort from day 2 to day 9
- Accommodation and meals for the driver and tour escort from day 9 to day 11
- Entrance Fees & Local Guides
What additional costs will I need to pay?
- Anything not mentioned above
- Lunches
- Extra drinks at meals
- Travel insurance (highly recommended). Note: Good Shepherd Travel has a travel insurance option, see https://www.tourtheholylands.com/buy-travel-insurance/
- Tips for hotel staff, local guides & driver (see recommendations for tip amounts in the trip brochure)
- Any personal expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)
How do I access online registration when it opens on June 25th at noon?
Access online registration through the QR code on the trip brochure or the link on the trip website: https://holyinnocents.org/event/24049080-2025-06-25-germany-pilgrimage-april-2026/ Note that those links will not work until noon on June 25th.
What do I need to submit to register?
- An application form (see the trip brochure)
- A copy of your passport
- A deposit of $500 is required to reserve a spot.
How do I make a payment for the trip?
- All funds will be handled by Good Shepherd Travel Agency.
- Registration opens on Wednesday, June 25 @ noon, online. To access online registration, use the QR code in the trip brochure.
From the Good Shepherd trip brochure:
- A deposit of $500 is due to reserve a spot as part of online registration. (The agency does not charge a fee for credit card use for online registration.)
- An additional $1000 will be due 6 months in advance (October 8, 2025) by check or credit card (Note: the agency charges a fee for payment by credit card.)
- The trip balance will be due 90 days prior to departure (January 8, 2026) by check or credit card. (Note: the agency charges a fee for payment by credit card.)
What if I need to cancel after I register for the trip?
From the Good Shepherd trip brochure: If a passenger cancels his/her tour membership, there will be a cancellation fee of $100.00 per person to cover administrative and communication costs up until 121 days before departure. For cancellations 120-91 days before departure, the cancellation fee will be $250.00 per person. 90-61 days before departure, the cancellation fee will be 50% of the cost per person. There will be no refund for cancellations within 60 days of departure, no-shows, or partially completed tours. All cancellation requests must be addressed to Goodshepherd Travel in writing. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended.
What if I want to fly earlier, stay longer, or upgrade my airplane seat?
Good Shepherd Travel will work with you if you wish to make alternate flight arrangements. Contact them at the time of registration.
How much luggage can I take?
- For travel like this, with multiple hotel stops and bus transfers, please take only luggage than you can handle for yourself. Pack compactly, pack smart, and leave a little space in your luggage to bring souvenirs and gifts back with you.
- From the Good Shepherd trip brochure: You may check no more than one (1) piece of luggage whose overall dimension does not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and whose weight does not exceed fifty (50) pounds in total. Each passenger may also bring one (1) piece of carry-on luggage.
Can I use my cell phone on the trip?
Before departure, contact your carrier to find out what the costs will be for international calling and for data roaming. Often, you can add the coverage you need for the time period that you will be out of the country.
Will I need an adapter?
Yes, you will need to bring an adapter for European 220-volt current.
How do I find out more?
- Contact Mitzi (deaconmitzi@htlchickory.org) or Stewart (slucas@holyinnocents.org).
- On Sunday, June 22, Mitzi and Stewart will hold information meetings at each church.
- The trip brochure has the full travel itinerary, application form, and lots of important “fine print” to read.
- Our trip website provides more information. Good Shepherd has prepared a 15-page “What to Know Before You Go” document, which will be posted on our website along with this FAQ document.
- Once you are registered for the trip, you will receive additional information from Good Shepherd Travel Agency.