My Experience with Shalem’s Transforming Community Program
Have you ever been in a place of terror, bewilderment, frustration or despair? I have and it was over 30 years ago. At that time, I was led to a fellowship that guided and companioned me through the steps to a life far beyond what I had ever imagined. That fellowship and those steps continue to be my spiritual foundation.
With many blessings comes great responsibility. What was freely given to me I am responsible to pass on to others. Yes, that is within the fellowship but also to my family, friends, coworkers and community. This has become a design for living that works for me and that I strive to share with others.
My spiritual path has not been straight forward. There have been twists and turns. At times even road blocks, doubts, and questions. A spiritual mentor, who was Jesus in skin for me, told me that doubts and questions are good because they keep us seeking on our spiritual path. I continue to seek God and deepen my relationship with the Holy Mystery.
It took me some time to realize that my personal, professional and spiritual life are not separate. Our capitalist society promotes achievement, professional success and gaining material things. Please know I am not saying we should not have goals and work to achieve them but are we doing this for self-serving motives or are they a part of serving God and others?
My goal to be a nurse started out to be somewhat self-serving. I needed a job that could provide for my family. After I achieved that goal, I felt I was supposed to continue to achieve higher degrees and promotions. Within a few years I knew this was neither God’s nor my desire. While I am extremely grateful for the living wage nursing has provided me, the best reward has come from the ability to provide care to others including my family and friends. God transformed a somewhat self-serving goal to a much deeper calling.
A couple of years after joining that foundational spiritual fellowship, I was invited on a silent retreat. I think this is where a deeper contemplative practice started for me, although I didn’t realize it at the time. My desire for a retreat was to have a few days off work, while enjoying meals prepared for me and not having to wash dishes after. I soon realized that this place provided spiritual nourishment far beyond the nourishment the food provided. My spiritual foundation now had the additional benefits of Ignatian spirituality, regular spiritual direction and frequent participation in retreat ministry. As years passed, I heard a call to retreat facilitation. As I researched training, I discovered a spiritual guidance training program that was the next right step for me. Any doubts or concerns I had were quickly dismissed as my schedule aligned and funds became available to cover the cost.
The 2-year training program not only helped me establish my spiritual direction and retreat facilitation practice, it also provided me with added contemplative practices for my personal spiritual practices. I became aware that my retreat facilitation was going to be expanding beyond the group of individuals I had been serving. Ongoing training, continuing education, and community building is an important piece of this ongoing ministry. Shalem’s Transforming Community Program (TCP) offered all three.
As our world continued to experience more violence, injustices, and division, I felt a holy transformation was needed. During a scroll on social media my eyes caught an ad for “Transforming Community Program- Leading Contemplative Spiritual Groups & Retreats.” It resonated with me. I looked a little closer and the early bird application was due within a few days. I applied as soon as I confirmed the dates of the program would fit my schedule and they had a payment plan that would work for me.
TCP was the next step in my evolving spiritual journey. Of course, this amazing program expanded my ability to facilitate retreats but it also reinforced the transformative effects of contemplative practices. Coming to residency and meeting all of our cohort in person was extremely hope-filled. So many good, godly people following a call to help transform our world. Someone once asked, “How do you change the world?” The answer, “One person at a time,” and I’ll add that it begins with me. One person passing on peace, joy and love to another has a rippling effect.
30-plus people coming together from different areas of the United States and Canada to gain practical experience in leading contemplative groups and retreats now carrying with us a deeper sense of the divine in our lives that we get to share with others, not only in a retreat or group setting but also with every single one of God’s creations.