Brief History

The Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation was founded in 1984 by a small group of people of diverse backgrounds who shared the experience of being trained as spiritual directors at The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC. In the summer of 1984, Francis Geddes, Carol Saysette, John Stansbury, Bill Moreman, Joanna Macy, and Rich Byrne gathered every Wednesday morning to share contemplative prayer together. As they sought to be open to the leading of the Spirit, they felt called to invite others, hungry for a deeper and more radical connection to the Holy, to engage in a joint spiritual journey. From this initial commitment grew various "Pilgrimage Home" groups, inspired by the work of Gerald May of the Shalem staff. To this initiative were added retreats, workshops, and special presentations by spiritual leaders.

As others were invited to the staff and board of Pacific Center, the location and variety of program offerings grew. In various parts of the Bay Area the Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation has offered local contemplative practice groups, workshops, retreats, guest lectures, and classes. A frequent venue for our retreats is the Wellspring Renewal Center in Philo, CA [Mendocino County]. Most well known, and regularly offered of these retreats is Francis Geddes' God's Healing Gift, and Christian and Buddhist Meditation: Living and Breathing on a Common Path, led by Susan Murphy and Rod Dugliss.

The Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation enjoys a special relationship with the renowned Jesus scholar Marcus Borg, who has been most generous in offering lectures, workshops, and retreats with and for Pacific Center. Other spiritual leaders, such as Flora Wuellner, Houston Smith, the late Gerald May, and Tilden Edwards, have joined with Pacific Center to offer their wisdom in the Bay Area.

Today a new generation of staff seek to offer contemplative practice, teaching, and spiritual guidance to meet the deep spiritual hunger in the Bay Area in the 21st Century. Currently serving on the Board are Susan Murphy , Rod Dugliss, Joyce Harris, Bonnie Ring, and Don Felt.