Our J2A youth have been working hard raising money for their June pilgrimage to Germany. They have about $6,000 left to go – let’s help them close the gap!
Pilgrimage is a core component of our J2A youth program, where youth to embark on a spiritual journey both as individuals and as a group. This year’s pilgrims wanted to challenge themselves to leave their comfort zone. They’ll travel to Germany, a location no one in the group has been before. While on pilgrimage, they’ll learn about the Holocaust and also explore Germany’s culture and faith traditions.
St. Philip’s commits to paying half the pilgrimage costs of all youth pilgrims, and the full cost of their adult pilgrim chaperones. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring a pilgrim on their spiritual journey!
Each sponsor will be matched with a pilgrim. We ask sponsors to pray for their pilgrims during their journey, and pilgrims will write to their sponsors from pilgrimage. Sponsors also will be invited to a celebration dinner hosted by the pilgrims after they return. (If you prefer to donate without being matched with a pilgrim, just let us know.)
Sponsor a pilgrim by May 31:
- Donate online (use “J2A Sponsor a Pilgrim Fundraiser” line)
- Write a check (write “Sponsor a Pilgrim” in the memo line)
Please give as generously as you feel called to – no amount is too small (or too big)!
Meet our Pilgrims
Liza Avery – Liza is a sophomore at Jordan High School. Her family includes Hopie, Allen, and Porter Avery. Liza has attended St. Philip’s for 10 years. She plays field hockey and lacrosse at school, plays the piano, and is part of school clubs such as National Honors Society and A Lotta Love Club. Liza says, “This pilgrimage will be my first time traveling internationally to Europe, and I look forward to the opportunity to experience a new part of the world. I hope to learn more about German culture, and I am very excited for our day set aside to explore Munich!”
Katie Beckwith – Katie is an 11th-grader at Riverside High. She’s the daughter of Greg and Suzi, and sister to Julia. Her family came to St. Philip’s around 2016, and she’s happy to be back after a long Covid break! Katie recently trained to become a Eucharistic minister at St. Philip’s. She’s also involved in tennis, Society of Women Engineers club, and Environmental Club at school. Katie loves reading, drawing, photography, being outside, and listening to music. She says, “On the pilgrimage I’m hoping to see a lot of cool architecture and experience a new culture, and maybe learn some German with my best friends! I also hope to learn more about myself and grow on my spiritual journey.”
Emerson Egeghy – Emerson is 16 years old and in 10th grade. She’s the daughter of Leigh and Peter Egeghy, and sister to Eva. She’s attended St. Philips since 2004. Emerson has many interests and activities, including cello, vocal ensemble, musical theater, field hockey, soccer, and student council. She serves on the vestry at Virginia Episcopal School. Emerson says, “I look forward to experiencing a different culture first hand through things like visiting important landmarks, eating local food, and seeing the natural beauty. I’m also really interested in learning more about Germany’s complicated history with faith and religion.”
Quinn Gilmer – Quinn is a junior at Jordan High School. He’s attended St. Philip’s his whole life (for 17 years), and his family includes his mom, dad, stepmom, stepsister and half sister. Quinn enjoys exercising, going to political clubs and rallies with friends at school, cooking, and volunteering. Of his pilgrimage to Germany, Quinn says, “I’m hoping to see historic parts of Germany and have experiences with the other pilgrims.”
Tucker Semans – Tucker is in 11th grade at Christ School, an Episcopal boys’ boarding school in Asheville, NC. Tucker is the son of Connie and Truman Semans, and his two older sisters also went on pilgrimage with their own J2A groups. Tucker has attended St. Philip’s his whole life, and he was baptized when he was 7. At school, Tucker rock climbs and hikes, and since every night is a sleepover, he hangs out a lot with his friends. He says, “I’m really looking forward to seeing Europe for the first time, as well as seeing how Christianity looks in other countries. I’m also very excited to see some cool architecture and beautiful nature, and to spend time with my friends from St. Philip’s.”
Bram Slaughter – Bram is a sophomore at Riverside High School, and he’ll attend to Middle College at Durham Tech next year. He’s brother to Nora (Scotland pilgrimage 2019), and his parents are Andy and Rebecca Slaughter. Bram has attended St. Philip’s for about 14 years. He went through the catechesis program, has helped with VBS, Urban Ministries, and making Christmas cookies, and was the St. Philip’s paddleboard champion on the youth camping trip of June 2023. Outside of church, Bram volunteers for Teen Court and the Animal Protection Society. Bram is hoping to grow deeper in his faith and friendship with his fellow youth members. He appreciates being able to see parts of our Christian history that are both sad (Dachau) and beautiful (the many churches and cathedrals).
Rafi Sommerville – Rafi is in 11th grade at Riverside High School. He’s the son of Henry and Natalie Sommerville, and he’s attended St. Philip’s for 17 years. In addition to being an active youth group member, Rafi has served as a lector, livestream team member, and summer office intern at St. Philip’s. He says, “I’m looking forward to seeing the Bavarian alps, experiencing the culture in Munich, and strengthening the bond between our group. I can’t wait to arrive in Germany with the group and see where our pilgrimage takes us!”
Clay Sprouse – Clay is a sophomore at Jordan High School. He’s son to Andrew and Patty, and older brother to Charlie. Clay has attended St. Philip’s his entire life (16 years). He’s active in Scouts, cross country, and theater.
Clay says, “I’m looking forward to experiencing German culture and to making memories.”
Randy Guptill – Randy is a retired music educator, having taught every level from elementary school to university. He’s currently very active playing his trombones in several bands and orchestras and playing his euphonium at St. Philip’s 9 a.m. Sunday service. Randy has attended St. Philip’s since 1983. He was on the original committee that created the J2A program and has served multiple times as a youth leader. He’s husband to Sue Guptill, father to Jamie and Chris (who both participated in J2A pilgrimages), and grandfather to ten grandchildren. When not playing or taking care of grandchildren, he likes camping, kayaking, canoeing, and cycling. He’s crossed the state five times with Cycle North Carolina! Randy says, “I’m looking forward to this pilgrimage and hope get to know this amazing group better, and to see places I’ve heard about all my life but not seen.”
Lydia Freeman Kumar – Lydia lives in Durham with her husband, Abhi, and their dog, Dobby. She has been attending St. Philip’s for two years. Lydia works as a manager at Public Impact, an education consulting firm, but before that was a middle grades teacher. In addition to volunteering with J2A, she enjoys running, making friends, rock climbing, and throwing a few great parties a year. She says, “Faith, travel, teaching, and community have been integral to my identity. Pilgrimage brings so many of these together!”
Hank Sappenfield – Hank is a lawyer with Kennon Craver, and he lives in Durham with his wife, Liz, and their kids Trot (13), Boone (11), and Kit (7). He’s attended St. Philip’s for almost 17 years. In addition to volunteering with J2A, Hank serves on the boards of Johnson Service Corps and Liberty Arts. He says, “This is my seventh year as a youth leader at St. Philip’s, but this is my first pilgrimage. I’m really excited to go with this group. They lost a lot of time and experiences because of COVID, but they have pulled together and committed to one another, and to this program. I’m looking forward to this intentional time together, and us all seeing how God is evident in how we treat one another and those we encounter. I also understand there’s a giant alpine coaster.”
Maryann Younger – Maryann is an Episcopal priest serving St. Philip’s since October 2021. As rector, she does All The Things, but her favorite is walking with others through the ups and downs of life and especially on their spiritual paths. She and her husband Kris have two adult children (who gifted them with two more adult children through marriage) and two grandchildren. Besides church, Maryann’s favorite thing is being Grammy. She also loves photography and gardening, although the clay in North Carolina inspired her purchase of many big planters. On pilgrimage, she’s looking forward to this time with our youth and to experiencing God in a variety of new places.