Who We Are
FOUR PILLARS OF PILGRIM
COMMUNITY
Community lies at the heart of any faith tradition, and we are no exception. We are a close-knit family bound together by love, acceptance, and mutual respect. At Pilgrim everyone is embraced, celebrated, and supported. We believe in creating a safe space where individuals can explore their faith, share their joys and struggles, and grow together. We hold that the way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe both inside and outside the walls of the church.
Spirituality
We embrace a spirituality that encourages exploration, questioning, and self-discovery. At Pilgrim, we celebrate the diverse ways individuals connect with the Divine, understanding that each person’s spiritual path is unique. Our community offers a nurturing environment where spiritual seekers can find belonging, inspiration, and meaning. We honor ancient wisdom while remaining open to new insights, fostering a spirituality that is inclusive, evolving, and relevant to our contemporary lives.
Progressive Theology
We unashamedly embrace a dynamic and inclusive approach to understanding our faith. Rooted in the rich traditions of Christianity, our theology encourages thoughtful interpretation and adaptation to the challenges of our time. We recognize the importance of questioning, evolving, and embracing diverse perspectives within our faith community. With an open-minded approach to scripture, we explore how ancient teachings can guide us in the world today. Our commitment to progressive theology means we engage with faith critically, seeking relevance and resonance with contemporary ethical and social issues while continually deepening our understanding of God’s love and compassion.
Social Justice
At our church, social justice is not just a catchword; it’s a direct expression of our faith. Grounded in our values, we actively work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus, we engage in impactful initiatives that address pressing social and environmental issues. Our beliefs drive us to action, compelling us to challenge injustice, promote inclusivity, and foster positive change in our community and throughout the world.
PILGRIM CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Madison Shockley (He/Him)
Lead Minister
Madison has served as Pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ since 2004. Over the years, he has helped shape Pilgrim into a community known for thoughtful faith, courageous justice work, and a deep commitment to welcoming everyone.
Before coming to Pilgrim, Madison worked across religious, political, nonprofit, and media spaces, bringing a wide perspective to his ministry. In addition to his work at Pilgrim, he serves on the Board of Trustees of Union Theological Seminary in New York City and on the board of directors for Compassion and Choices. He also writes commentary for a variety of online and print outlets. You can read some of his past articles HERE.
Madison earned his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and completed advanced graduate work in New Testament Studies at Claremont Graduate University.
He and his wife, Gayle P. Shockley (née Welch), are the proud parents of four adult children and five grandchildren.
Rev. Josh Komo (He/Him)
Associate Minister
Josh grew up in St. Clair, MO, a small town outside of St. Louis. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO and a Master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. After more than a decade in vocational ministry, he joined the staff at Pilgrim in 2023 and was ordained into the United Church of Christ in 2026. When he’s not at church, Josh enjoys reading philosophy and theology, watching and writing about horror movies, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, golfing, practicing martial arts, going to punk shows, watching baseball and hockey, and spending time with his wife, Janelle, and their two cats.
Rev. Dr. Jaime Romo
Minister of Healing and Healthy Environments
Jaime is an ordained minister within the UCC and also works as a Hospice Chaplain. His ministry focuses on helping churches create spaces where people feel safe, supported, and able to heal.
Jaime earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego and has been helping congregations develop Safe Church policies and Healing Community practices since 2009. He regularly leads trainings for parents, volunteers, and church staff to help build healthy and trustworthy communities.
He also offers Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) sessions for individuals who would like to reduce or resolve the lingering effects of difficult life experiences.
When he’s not working on healing ministries, Jaime loves sharing music with the congregation as part of Pilgrim’s Band of Pilgrims.
Sami Neblett (She/Her)
Preschool Director
Kathya Castro (She/Her)
Sunday School and Preschool Teacher
Sarah May Salen (She/Her)
Sunday School and Preschool Teacher
Nick Timm (He/Him)
Audio Video Technician
Nikki Haskell (She/Her)
Church Administrator
Casual & Multigenerational
Pilgrim is a welcoming church — you are welcome here, no matter where you are on life’s journey! On Sunday mornings, you will find people of all ages, some in collared shirts, some in sandals. Our worship lasts about an hour and communion is served on the first Sunday of each month. After worship please join us on the patio for coffee and lemonade! Come as you are, you are welcome here.
Kids & Families
Children of all ages are welcome in worship. If you have infants or toddlers you may choose to bring them to our professionally staffed nursery before service. Just ask an usher for directions. Otherwise, we start service with the whole family, then after a few songs and a brief lesson for the kids, we’ll dismiss the little ones to Sunday School (Preschool-6th grade), and 7th-12th graders to Youth Group.
Learn more about getting involved in Pilgrim’s Youth Group
Visit Us:
2020 Chestnut Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Services:
Sun 10:00am
Send an Email:
Give us a call:
760-729-6311