From April 17, 2026 Newsletter
All Community Co-Creation Service: Your Participation is Essential
Thursday, May 7 | 6:00–9:30pm
Everyone within our community is invited to take part in this crucial first step in the New Minister Selection Process.
Your participation – in person (if possible) or online – is essential on Thursday, May 7.
The purpose of this evening is to begin co-creating a Sacred Covenant for our community, a clear and collective expression of the qualities, values, and vision we hold for our next Spiritual Director and for ourselves. This Covenant will help guide the entire selection process and serve as a foundation for our relationship with our future leader.
The co-creation process will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Penny Macek, who brings deep experience in spiritual leadership and transformational community processes. Details about Penny and the full co‑creation process are included in the overview linked below.
Because this gathering includes shared practices and printed participant materials, registration is required. When registering, you’ll indicate whether you plan to attend in person or online, helping us to prepare thoughtfully.
We encourage those who are local to join us in person, while remaining grateful that online participation allows members of our wider community to be part of this sacred process.
>> Register Here
>> Learn more about the New Minister Co‑Creation Process & Rev. Dr. Penny Macek
Selection & Covenant Creation Teams Update
The Board has completed the selection process for both the Selection and Covenant Creation Teams, and members are now being notified. If you expressed interest in being considered, please check your email.
Once all team members are confirmed, look for next Friday’s newsletter to see the full list of participants on each team.
Community Conversation — Stay Connected
Each Friday, this section shares important updates and opportunities to participate in shaping our community’s future, including the Spiritual Director search during this pivotal year at CSL Seattle.
Missed recent updates? Catch up on all Community Conversation posts at this LINK.
An Invitation to Serve: Covenant Creation Team & Selection Committee
The Board of Trustees is forming two important teams in support of the search for a new Spiritual Director and invites members of the community to serve.
- Covenant Creation Team – A short‑term, immersive spiritual process that supports the community in co‑creating a shared Sacred Covenant – an expression of the consciousness and vision that will help call forth our next Spiritual Director. Click here for a detailed overview of the process.
- Selection Committee – An ongoing commitment that guides the practical aspects of the Spiritual Director selection process with care, discernment, confidentiality, and collaboration.
If you feel a sense of readiness and responsibility to contribute to this work – and have the time and capacity to do so – we warmly invite you to express your interest. Submitting an interest form allows the Board to hear from you; it does not automatically place you on a team, but it does help them thoughtfully shape these groups.
Please submit interest forms by this Monday, April 20.
>> Covenant Creation Team Interest Form
>> Selection Committee Interest Form
From March 20, 2026 Newsletter
Join Our Meeting of Members & Community Conversation
Sunday, March 29, 1–3pm
The Board of Trustees welcomes your questions! Please email them in advance to board@spiritualliving.org so we can get a sense of the community’s thoughts before we gather.
Update on Our Spiritual Director Search
Save the Date!
All-Community New Minister Co-Creation Meeting
Thursday, May 7, 6–9:30pm
Join us for the first step in the New Minister Co-Creation Process! Through a blend of learning, inner reflection, and shared visioning, we will engage in practices that clear the past, deepen understanding, and open to new possibilities. This approach emphasizes transformation, individually and collectively, so we, as a community, can come into clarity, unity, and a shared vision for the future.
Your presence helps support the unfolding of a Sacred Covenant that will call forth our next Minister/Spiritual Leader.
Mark your calendars and watch this space for more details.
Community Conversation — Stay in the Know
Did you miss the March 6th launch of our new Community Conversation section in the newsletter? See highlights from the past two weeks below and catch up!
This year marks an important transition for our community. After 37 years of devoted service, Kathianne Lewis, DD, will be retiring, and we are beginning the search for our next Spiritual Director. We are committed to a process that is transparent, inclusive, and guided by our community.
What’s Happening
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The Board will appoint a Selection Committee to guide the search process.
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Together, we will create a Sacred Covenant, shaped by community input, to define the vision and qualities for our next leader.
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Candidates will be reviewed, finalists will be invited for a weekend of talks and workshops, and the Board will ultimately present a candidate for a membership vote.
Get Involved
Join us in person or online for the Annual Meeting of Members & Community Conversation on Sunday, March 29, 1–3pm.
All are welcome to attend and participate. Voting at the Annual Meeting is limited to members.
If you are considering membership, this is a meaningful year to join. Members will have the opportunity to vote at the appropriate time during the Spiritual Director selection process.
Questions about the process? Email board@spiritualliving.org.
From March 13, 2026 Newsletter
Community Conversation: An Update on Our Spiritual Director Search
We want to be sure you see all that is going on at CSL Seattle regarding our search for our next Spiritual Director, so we are repeating this Community Conversation section content from last week to ensure as many of you see it as possible.
This year marks an important transition for our community. After 37 years of devoted service, Kathianne Lewis, DD, will be retiring, and we are beginning the search for our next Spiritual Director. We are committed to a process that is transparent, inclusive, and guided by our community.
What’s Happening
-
The Board will appoint a Selection Committee to guide the search process.
-
Together, we will create a Sacred Covenant, shaped by community input, to define the vision and qualities for our next leader.
-
Candidates will be reviewed, finalists will be invited for a weekend of talks and workshops, and the Board will ultimately present a candidate for a membership vote.
Get Involved
Join us in person or online for our Annual Meeting of Members and Community Conversation on Sunday, March 29 | 1–3pm.
All are welcome to attend and participate. Voting at the Annual Meeting is limited to members.
If you are considering membership, this is a meaningful year to join. Members will have the opportunity to participate in voting at the appropriate time during the Spiritual Director selection process.
Questions about the process? Email board@spiritualliving.org.
Watch This Space
Each Friday, this section will share updates and ways you can participate in shaping our community’s future.
From March 6, 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to the Community Conversation!
This year marks an important transition for our community. After 37 years of devoted service, Kathianne Lewis, DD, will be retiring, and we are beginning the search for our next Spiritual Director. We are committed to a process that is transparent, inclusive, and guided by our community.
What’s Happening
-
The Board will appoint a Selection Committee to guide the search process.
-
Together, we will create a Sacred Covenant, shaped by community input, to define the vision and qualities for our next leader.
-
Candidates will be reviewed, finalists will be invited for a weekend of talks and workshops, and the Board will ultimately present a candidate for a membership vote.
Get Involved
Join us in person or online for our Annual Meeting of Members and Community Conversation on Sunday, March 29 | 1–3pm.
All are welcome to attend and participate. Voting at the Annual Meeting is limited to members.
If you are considering membership, this is a meaningful year to join. Members will have the opportunity to participate in voting at the appropriate time during the Spiritual Director selection process.
Questions about the process? Email board@spiritualliving.org.
Watch This Space
Each Friday, this section will share updates and ways you can participate in shaping our community’s future.