Board of Directors

Paul H. Lang is Head of Staff at Cary Presbyterian Church in Cary, North Carolina.  A graduate of Furman University (BA Music), Paul continued his studies at Columbia Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1993, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2003.  He received the Lyman and Myki Mobley Prize in Biblical Scholarship for his paper on the use of musical settings of the Psalms in Christian worship.
    In recent years Paul coauthored a book with Ben Johnson on making a personal retreat (Time Away  published by Upper Room: 2010), and has focussed on Spiritual Formation and leadership development in the church.  In 2010 Paul led the Fall Spirituality Retreat at Montreat through the Columbia Theological Seminary Certificate in Spiritual Formation (topic: Liturgy of the Hours).  He has been an instructor for the Synod School of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, the Presbytery of the Northern Plains, and continues to write and teach in a variety of other settings around the country.  His most recent book is The Pilgrim’s Compass — Finding and Following the God We Seek published by Westminster John Knox Press, 2019.  

Paul also serves as the Executive Director of the Institute of Church Renewal — a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization with a supporting relationship with the Presbyterian Foundation

Janet Sockwell is a member of Shallowford Presbyterian Church. She helps lead the Pilgrimage ministry and serves as a course instructor. She is a retired educator, having taught special education as well as serving in leadership roles working with preschool programs at the local and state level. Janet is married to Jeff and has two adult children, Sarah and Daniel. She enjoys being in the natural world, beach walks, reading, and photography.

Sam Clark is the Accounting Manager at Raleigh-based financial services holding company, Integrated Financial Holdings, Inc. He has a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of North Carolina. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, as well as long hikes with the family dog Lucy.

Sarah Lang is a member of Cary Presbyterian Church. She has helped develop the pilgrimage ministry since its inception, serving as a member of the leadership teams at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo and Cary Presbyterian Church. Sarah has served as a coach to compass groups in various churches and planned housing and meals for travel pilgrimages. Outside of the pilgrimage ministry, Sarah is a professional violinist and teacher. She enjoys walking, contemplative photography, restoring/refurbishing old furniture and playing the Norwegian hardingfele.

Kit O’Neill is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fargo, ND.  She is a Ruling Elder and serves on the leadership committee for The Pilgrimage in her congregation.  Kit is a retired clinical psychologist. During her career, she taught and conducted research at North Dakota State University, provided clinical care and consultation, and volunteered as a disaster mental health responder for the Red Cross. Kit enjoys spending time with her husband George, exploring the natural world, and nurturing spiritual friendships.  She feels blessed to be on the Board of Directors for The Pilgrimage.

Jeff Sockwell is a teaching elder, serving as pastor at Shallowford Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary. He helped establish the Pilgrimage Ministry at Shallowford. He has been involved in refugee ministry in both his current and previous congregation. He strives for racial and social justice. Jeff is married to Janet, enjoys spending time with their two children, hiking, photography, and kayaking.