Members of the Great Plains and Louisiana conferences of The United Methodist Church took part in a four-day civil rights immersion trip to the areas around Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama, in July 2023.

It was the idea of former Great Plains Clergy Excellence Director Rev. Dr. Dee Williamston, now bishop of the Louisiana Conference. She and Bishop David Wilson of the Great Plains — the first Native American bishop in the denomination — teamed up to lead the group on an educational experience that expanded minds, filled hearts with love — and most importantly challenged the emotions of all who took part.

This is the third of a three-episode series on the trip.