2019 Steering Committee

Mike Pitchford

Mike is the founder and lead organizer for the New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity. His passion for pilgrimage as a way to bring people together was born out of his experience walking the Camino de Santiago in 2015. He completed his Master's Degree in Theological Studies in 2016 dedicating his thesis to using pilgrimage as a means to advance ecumenism. He is a life-long Roman Catholic, husband, father and grandfather who loves the game of golf and volunteers to help young people to develop life skills through golf.

Patricio Chacon

Patricio Chacon is a member of the Norbertine Community of Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque, NM. He grew up in a town named Capulin, which is about 30 miles west of Abiquiu. Patricio is a full time student at the University of New Mexico as a Philosophy and Religious Studies major. He first participated in the Pilgrimage for Unity in 2018. He also participates in the Pilgrimage for Vocations; a 100 mile trek beginning from various locations throughout the Northern half of New Mexico. Patricio enjoys music, camping and spending time outdoors. But, even more so, he enjoys spending time with his brothers in community, family, friends, and his dog Sol!

Stephanie Gretchen

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.

Kay E Huggins

Kay Huggins is a retired Presbyterian Pastor and has been engaged with NM Pilgrimage for Unity since its earliest days. It was a Thesis Project presented by Mike Pitchford in satisfaction of the degree requirements for a Master of Theological Studies, through the New Mexico branch of Saint Norbert College, WI. Kay walked the pilgrimage, in 2017 and 2018, and looks forward to a third year – assisting the Steering Committee in their work. Kay’s gifts in ministry are teaching and preaching…and, after 40 years of serving local congregation, organizing for ministry. She looks forward to meeting, walking and praying with the pilgrims and support staff that will come together in 2019.

Christin Moreland

Christin is a member of Covenant Presbyterian in Albuquerque, Office Administrator for the Presbytery of Santa Fe, and was a member of the Steering Committee in 2017 and 2018.

Robert Pierson

Rob is a Quaker seminary graduate, serving a number of Quaker organizations locally and internationally. He experiences life as pilgrimage, a journey of faith, with moments of sacred time (Kairos) and a New Mexico landscape full of sacred space (Chora). He’s walked many times up Tomé Hill, written about the spiritual history of Chimayo and visited other sacred spaces in New Mexico and beyond. Rob lives in Albuquerque and works as a systems engineer, likes hiking with his wife Joanne and watching his son’s basketball games at Eldorado High.