2018 PARTICIPANTS
The following 2018 participants are listed, with their permission.
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Roswitha M. Abraham
Catholic Wiesbaden, Germany I’m 67 years old and since five years retired. Previously, I worked as an assistant in various international companies. I have two wonderful children and two cute grandchildren. I love hiking and enjoy beeing in our nature, especially along the Rhine River. In 2012, I walked the Way of St. James from St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, on the west coast of Spain. On the evening of the first day at the hostel in the Pyrenees I met Edwina Wood for the first time. In the course of the way we became friends. Last year we met in Chartres, France and this year in September I will visit her in Santa Fe. Edwina made the proposal for this pilgrimage and I agreed. I would like to do this pilgrimage for peace and justice on our earth and look forward to make the walk with your group. Thank you that I can participate in this pilgrimage. |
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Rev. Sara G. Armstrong
Presbyterian Lima, Peru (until September 4 when I arrive back in New Mexico) I spent the last ten years working with US churches and not-for-profits in rural Peru. All my life I have wanted to be at the intersection between cultures. I moved to NM in 1989 to work as the chaplain at Menaul School. I also loved my work as Director of the Storehouse in Albuquerque and my time serving various churches up and down the Rio Grande River. In all those years I never had the opportunity to go on a Pilgrimage. It seems to me to be the best way to re-enter the United States after so many years away. |
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Ariel Bondoc
Catholic Albuquerque NM Born in Metropolitan Manila, the Philippines in 1953, I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines. Active in the Charismatic Renewal in the Philippines from 1987 to 2008. Assisted in organizing the 1st International Bible Conference in The Philippines. Music Director of 3,000 member BLD Catholic Community, Metro Manila, the Philippines. Music Director at Saint Therese, Albuquerque since 2009. Started the couples for Christ Community (based in the Philippines) in Albuquerque. Member of the Filipino—American Foundation of New Mexico. Married to Annie for 39 years. |
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Br. Patricio Chacón, O. Praem.
Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey Albuquerque, NM 21 y/o, I entered the second year of my Norbertine novitiate on Wednesday, August 29th. I am a full time student at the University of New Mexico and serve as cantor. Recently, I successfully navigated a General Chapter proposal to select and care for an Abbey dog from the shelter. I am from Gallina, NM, and this pilgrimage will be my second in the past four months. I participated in the Pilgrimage for Vocations in May, traversing the route from Chama, NM, to Chimayó over Six days. |
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Eugene Corrales
Catholic Española NM I was raised in a small town here in NM called Gallina but I currently live in Española. I was born and raised Catholic and belong to the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in Abiquiu, NM. This will be my second year walking the Pilgrimage for Unity and am looking forward to meeting and creating new relationships with all my fellow pilgrims. I learned about his pilgrimage from Mike, who I met while doing the Pilgrimage for Vocations. |
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Leroy Garcia
Catholic Albuquerque NM |
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Pete Garcia
Catholic Albuquerque NM Being raised in the faith and being involved in various aspects of the church are things I cherish in life. What better way to live Christlike than to walk with others, sharing experiences. My ultimate goal is to do The Camino de Santiago. |
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Rose Garcia
Catholic Albuquerque NM |
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Becky & Bill Glad
Vineyard San Antonio TX Becky loves pilgrimage and is currently enrolled in a course in spiritual direction. This is her second walk with Pilgrimage for Unity and one of many walks to Chimayo. Bill is currently remodeling houses, and is a happy companion for Becky on pilgrimage. We have three children (in their 20's). Looking forward to meeting you all! |
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Stephanie Gretchen
Quaker Albuquerque NM Stephanie is a certified spiritual director, life coach, and retreat leader. She is a graduate of the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, an associate faculty member of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and a graduate of their Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats program, and a certified Rapid Success Coach. Stephanie is a Quaker, a mother of two adultish kids who rock her world, and a nature nerd who loves being outdoors and learning all about what’s in our wild world. |
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George Huggins
Presbyterian Church USA Albuquerque NM Retired from Federal employment with about 38 years of credit. About 30 yrs experience in IT. I'm a member of Second Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, where I serve as Clerk of Session and Chair of the LiveWire (communications) committee. I'm treasurer of the NM Conference of Churches (NMCC), and ex officio serve on the Executive Committee of the NMCC. Proud clergy spouse to the Rev. Dr. Kay Huggins. Volunteer IT support for the Pilgrimage. Second year on the Pilgrimage (support vehicle). (Santuario Certificate, no, I didn't walk but I got a certificate, anyway!) |
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Rev. Dr. Kay Huggins
Presbyterian Church USA Albuquerque NM Born in California, resided in NM since 1985, happily retired just East of ABQ in Carnuel. I was ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament in 1977 and currently, though retired, serve as a Parish Associate at Second Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque. I love to preach, teach scripture, listen to parishioner’s stories and guide congregational life — in other words, I love just about every aspect of ministry. I feel blessed that my vocation did not end with retirement…but continues in new and gentler ways. I am also happy to be a grandmother, a wife (to George) and mom to two daughters living near us in the East Mountains. I participated in the Pilgrimage for Unity last year and am looking forward to another great experience. I am preparing myself physically and spiritually to be a pilgrim again this September. |
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Marty J. Martinez
Catholic La Puebla, NM I was raised in a small town called La Puebla, NM. I am the youngest of six, five brothers and one sister, and two amazing parents, just west of Chimayó. I assist as a Acolyte in Santa Cruz De La Canada, and at Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe, De El Valle De Pojoaque New Mexico. I make rosaries--all are unique and one of a kind. One of my most popular rosaries is the Ladder Rosary. |
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Cynthia Meindl
Presbyterian Albuquerque NM I have lived in Albuquerque for 25 years and work as a pharmacist at Presbyterian Hospital. My family includes my husband and two teenage children who keep me feeling both young and old. As one who enjoys being in nature and hiking, I am thrilled and grateful to be taking part in the Pilgrimage for Unity. I look forward to sharing this journey with others, and to take this time out of life’s busy routine to reflect and pray for unity, peace, and inclusion for all of God’s people. |
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Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia
Episcopal Albuquerque NM Sylvia has been the Rector at St. Thomas of Canterbury since Fall, 2015. She holds a BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah, an MA in Liturgy and the Arts from Pacific School of Religion, and Certificates of Anglican Studies and Theological Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA. Prior to her call as rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury, she served for five years as the Assistant Rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, CA. As a priest, dancer, teacher, and mother of three young children, Sylvia is passionate about inviting people of all ages to encounter the divine in worship that is embodied, sacramental, participatory, and intergenerational. |
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Vanna Ortiz
Presbyterian Albuquerque NM I have lived in Albuquerque for the past 20 years, but was raised in Garden City, Kansas and lived in Alexandria, Virginia prior to moving to New Mexico. I am a lifelong Presbyterian. I am blessed to spend most of my days in the company of happy, noisy, inquisitive and extremely energetic young children. I have been a teacher at Covenant Corner Preschool for the past 14 years and the Children's Ministry Leader at Covenant Presbyterian Church for almost 5 years, now. My family includes daughter, Alexis, her wife Ronit and my Grandkitty, Cleo, who live in Washington, DC and daughter, Elena who lives in Seattle with my Grandpuppy, Oxford. I share my home with my Mom, Jan and my dog, Dulce. This is my first pilgrimage |
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Bro. James J. Owens, O. Praem
Santa Maria de la vid Abbey Albuquerque NM I serve as Pastoral Associate for Outreach at Albuquerque’s westside Catholic Community - Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. |
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Rob Pierson
Quaker Albuquerque NM I started life on the middle Atlantic coast (Maryland, Long Island, Delaware) and, after college, wandered West to New Mexico, a strangely sacred space. I've sojourned here for the past thirty years, married, tried to raise two sons, and continue to work part-time as an engineer in a technology company. I've also been to seminary, have a Master of Ministry from the Earlham School of Religion, and serve among Quakers both locally and in the Friends World Committee for Consultation. While in seminary I studied pilgrimage as a spiritual practice and the related sense of Kairos and Chora - sacred time and sacred space. Here in New Mexico, I've walked short Easter pilgrimages to Chimayo and up Tome Hill. I've traveled sacred paths to the Abbey of Gethsemani (Thomas Merton's monastery), the mountain above Machu Picchu, the Stone Lions and the Trinity Site in New Mexico, and the church in Switzerland that houses Calvin's chair! "Pilgrimage opens our eyes to see the world with God's eyes, as far as humanly possible." - Fr. Murray Bodo |
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Mike Pitchford Roman Catholic Albuquerque NM Hello! I am the founder and lead organizer of the New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity. I live in Albuquerque with my wife, Pam and my mother-in-law, Edith. I have two sons, Adam and Scott, and two grandsons, Westley and Malcolm and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Dana. Pam and I are members of our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Albuquerque. I am a life-long Roman Catholic born and raised in the blue -collar suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University, I worked in the oil industry briefly. Upon completing a Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh, I went to work for Intel Corporation in Silicon Valley, then transferred to New Mexico in 1990. In 2016, I completed a Masters in Theological Studies degree from St. Norbert College in Depere, Wisconsin. Until 2015, my experience of pilgrimage was the Good Friday Pilgrimage to Tome Hill from my home in the South Valley. Then in 2015 I walked the Camino de Santiago (Frances Way) and my life was changed forever. Upon my return, I dedicated my Masters Thesis in Theological Studies to the topic of Pilgrimage as a means to promote ecumenism which laid the groundwork for the New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity. Since 2015 I have made the 100 mile Pilgrimage for Vocations and, earlier this year, I returned to the Camino de Santiago. This time, I walked the Portuguese Way from Lisbon. |
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Erica Rozolsky
The Episcopal Church Albuquerque NM This is my first pilgrimage. I have a deep commitment to ecumenism and interfaith community. My experience is that Holy Spirit amplifies our impact when we gather together in prayer, meditation and conversation. I am so grateful to be on this journey! |
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Rev. Richard Safford
Presbyterian Angel Fire NM I am pastor of United Church of Angel Fire, NM. Our congregation is very ecumenical having formal membership in the Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church; additionally we have members that identify with 13 denominations. I have long wanted to participate in the pilgrimage to Chimayo, but Holy Week is very busy for me! I am very excited to be able to be a part of this Pilgrimage for Unity, as it puts the New Mexico pilgrimage tradition in a much larger light. My wife and I have five children (birth, adopted and foster) and nine grandchildren under nine years of age whom we do not see nearly enough. |
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Warren Smith
Episcopal Albuquerque NM I am a retired professor of Classics at the University of New Mexico. I visit the Central New Mexico Correctional facility once a week and am senior warden of St Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. |
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Orlinie Velasquez
Catholic Fairview NM I grew up in the beautiful community of Chimayó, NM. In 1979 my husband Sammy and I moved to Chili, NM. We have two wonderful daughters and two grandsons. I am a life-long Roman Catholic and attend Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM. I grew up walking short pilgrimages on Good Friday from surrounding areas to El Santuario de Chimayó. It was four years ago that I walked my first Pilgrimage for Vocations and continued walking the 100 mile pilgrimage every year since. These past two years, I walked the Pilgrimage for Unity. I feel blessed to walk with others that have the same purpose of “Unity”. I enjoy the fellowship and with every step we take, we grow in Christ to care, love and respect our fellow pilgrims. We are all truly blessed. Lord, you know our beginning and our end. Help us to realize we are only pilgrims on this earth and save us from being too attached to worldly possessions. May we experience the freedom to wander, the freedom to hope and the freedom to love as we journey. Amen |
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Edwina Garcia Wood
Catholic Santa Fe NM I’m a 74-year old NM native (born in Belen, grew up in Española), UNM graduate, currently living in Santa Fe with my husband of 55 years, and have been retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory for almost 15 years. As a parishioner at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francs of Assisi, I participated in the 2016 Honduras Mission program in Guaymaca, Honduras. In 2012, at age 68, I completed the 500-mile pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, walking the French Way (St. Jon Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain), staying in the pilgrims' albuergues along the way. I make the 9-mile pilgrimage from Nambe to the Santuario de Chimayó most years during Holy Week with other parishioners from the Cathedral and Santa Maria de la Paz Parish. In 2011 I participated in a one-week Mission Awareness Trip through the Unbound Program (Christians Caring for Children and Elderly) in Guatemala, where I sponsor a disabled young woman, and will return there in November, as well as a Mission Awareness Trip to Honduras in July, where I sponsor a nine-year boy. I participate in a Santa Fe Women’s Spirituality Group, led by Juanita Montoya, with 17 other members, meeting twice a month to continue growing our relationship with God, our spiritual direction, our way to live our lives with passion, and to become the best women that we can be. I volunteer twice a week as an ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor through the Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe Program, operated at the Santa Fe Community College Adult Education Program. I love walking daily, I practice yoga regularly, I play golf, and I enjoy reading fictional stories based on true historical facts. I look forward to making this year’s unity walk with my dear friend, Roswitha Abraham, from Wiesbaden, Germany, whom I met on the Camino to Santiago six years ago. I look forward to the Unity Walk and have found that these kinds of walks help me see God in everything and everything in God, opening hearts along the way for hope and peace for our earth and all humanity. While on our pilgrimage, I’d be happy to lead our group through a few minutes of simple morning and evening stretches, if anyone is interested in joining me. |
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Julie Woodson
Presbyterian Greenville, SC In August, I will be beginning a year of service in Albuquerque as a Young Adult Volunteer through the Presbyterian Church (USA). I just graduated from Wofford College, a small liberal arts school in Spartanburg, SC, and am looking forward to a year full of new challenges and growth. This will be my first Pilgrimage, and I can’t think of a better way to start off my year in Albuquerque! |
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The New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity is committed to healing and building up the Body of Christ by providing opportunities for profound, shared spiritual experience and dialogue.
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Contact: info@nmpilgrimage.org
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