Traveling for transformation

The Rev. Dr. Evelyn Fulmore, M.Div. ’25, is no stranger to the tradition of pilgrimage, having studied and participated in these journeys as a student at LTSS. 

A memorable moment occurred during Maymester 2023 during the Rev. Dr. Melanie Dobson’s course, “Pilgrimage of Justice and Hope,” which explored America’s racial history. Fulmore embodied the spirit of the course and pilgrimage by spontaneously leading the group in singing the hymn “I Don’t Feel in No Ways Tired” during their visit to the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina.

“There’s nothing like the tangible feeling of walking the ground where monumental events have happened, of feeling and embracing the truth of a story,” said Fulmore. “In everyday life, we have our patterns, our ways of coming and going. When we want to take a deeper dive into understanding, into spirit, that’s what leads us to take time from our everyday lives and embark on a pilgrimage. That’s what happened in Charleston.”

Fulmore talks about pilgrimage as a catalyst – sometimes the prospect of a transition spurs the pilgrimage, sometimes the pilgrimage spurs a transition. For example, in January 2020, before she began the process of changing careers from pharmacy to ministry, Fulmore was presented with the opportunity to travel to Jerusalem for two weeks. 

“The trip came at a time when I didn’t know I needed it. I just knew God was making a move,” she said. “I didn’t get all the answers on that journey, but it sowed the seed that led me to hear the call to ministry.” 

Looking back, Fulmore encourages anyone who finds themselves at a crossroads in life to consider a pilgrimage. 

“It doesn’t have to be a long period of time. It just requires the intent to move away from the everyday and have an encounter with God, with something greater. Anybody can do this.”