of the 2025 Bicycle Tour – Justin Marquis
As I prepare for seminary and explore my return to the church, part of the 2025 bicycle tour will be experiencing the diversity of the American church (read more on why I am taking this bicycle tour). Each Sunday while on tour, I will be attending worship in whatever town we happen to be passing through.
While on the road, I will be seeking out Lutheran churches that are part of the ELCA, the denomination of the church where I returned to a life of faith and the church sponsoring my application to seminary. When there are no ELCA churches nearby, I will prioritize churches that are in full communion with the ELCA, especially the United Methodist Church, the church I was raised in.
I will be looking for churches that are celebrating Holy Communion that week, as it is my desire to share the Sacrament with each community I come in contact with on my journey. I will also be prioritizing churches that have women in leadership and lift up and celebrate queer identities and voices (see Gaychurch.org).
I am on a pilgrimage to explore my faith, the church, and the little seen sides of America that one can only see from the saddle of the bike. I am always looking for a place for my partner and I to set up our tent for the night or to share a warm meal. If I’m passing through your town on Sundays, perhaps I’ll see you in the pews. Peace.
Churches visited:
Our Savior Lutheran Church – West Lafayette, Indiana
First Lutheran Church – Cincinnati, Ohio
Trinity Episcopal Church – Covington, Kentucky
Faith Lutheran Church – Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Good Soil Lutheran – Rocky River, Ohio
Prince of Peace Lutheran – Depew, New York
Good Shepherd Lutheran – Fayetteville, New York
Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS), Schenectady, New York
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bethal Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. John’s Episcopal Church – Tower Grove, St Louis, Missouri
First Lutheran Church – Geneseo, Illinois
Trinity Lutheran Church – Madison, Wisconsin
Dionysus on a Bike 