Pilgrimage Leader - Mike Pitchford

Mike's passion for pilgrimage began in 2015 when he walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain to celebrate his retirement from the company where he had worked for over thirty years.  It was the incredible spirit of egalitarianism and unity that he experienced there that motivated him to dedicate his Master's Thesis in Theological Studies to the topic of ecumenical pilgrimage.  He completed his thesis and degree in August of 2016 and has been working since to realize the vision of a pilgrimage devoted to fostering ecumenism.  Mike is a life-long Roman Catholic and is an active member of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community in Albuquerque.  He lives in Albuquerque with his wife Pam.  He is the father of two sons and grandfather to two adorable grandsons.

Spiritual Director - Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia

Fellow Pilgrims, I have some great news to share. The Reverend Sylvia Miller-Mutia has agreed to serve as a Spiritual Director for our September Pilgrimage.

Reverend Miller-Mutia is the Rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Albuquerque.  Prior to that she served as Assistant Rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco.  As a priest, dancer, teacher and mother of three children, Sylvia is passionate about inviting people of all ages to encounter the divine in worship that is embodied, sacramental, participatory and intergenerational.

​With her help, we are going to have some powerful liturgy as part of our pilgrimage.

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Spiritual Director - Rev. Seth Finch

FELLOW PILGRIMS - OUR SPIRITUAL DIRECTION TEAM FOR THE PILGRIMAGE IS COMPLETE!  We are happy to announce that Pastor Seth Finch has joined us!  Pastor Seth has been a pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Albuquerque for about 9 years, first as an associate, and now as Head of Staff.

​He is a cradle Presbyterian (both parents Presbyterian Pastors) but one of the central pieces of his ministry from the outset has been a commitment to ecumenical and interfaith ministry.  This has led him to be actively involved in community efforts at bringing religious voices together like Albuquerque Religious and Clergy United, the New Mexico Conference of Churches, and his role on the Board of St. Martin's Hope Works, connecting to various religious communities throughout Albuquerque.

Seth also recently completed a Masters of Interfaith Action from Claremont Lincoln University, where he delved deeper into getting outside of the Spiritual Boxes we tend to create for ourselves. Beyond his work in the church and world, Seth is an avid reader, woodworker, scuba diver, camper/hiker, connoisseur of craft beer, and appreciates deep philosophical conversations (especially over a pint!).  Perhaps most important to know about Seth is that he is husband to Tiffany, and father to two young children, Grace and Rowan. Welcome Seth!

Inspiration & Encouragement thru Music

David Poole - Leader

Fellow pilgrims! God continues to bless our pilgrimage!  Music is an important component of powerful pilgrimage and we are thrilled to announce that David Poole is joining us and will be helping to lead us in song!

David has been active as a church musician for over 30 years, serving Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopal congregations.  As a composer, he is a contributor to the Presbyterian hymnal Glory to God in addition to having published choral titles with a half dozen houses.  He teaches each summer at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, including a one-week collaboration with Celtic author and theologian John Philip Newell.  David is also the founder and Music Director of the a cappella men’s group de Profundis, an active baritone soloist and teacher of singing.  He and wife Winona have raised two children, Kendra and Aaron.

Our music is going to be outstanding!!!  Come join us as we walk and sing for the unity of all Christians.