By David Prichard THE QUESTION: At SCL, I have begun with caution, and with the question: What is the spiritual need we are each possessed by which causes us to seek, and, in seeking, to gather? In short: What calls us, what binds us? Even: What justifies SCL’s existence as an organization? GLEANINGS: I have been learning my way into the School for Contemplative Living slowly, through relationships: one conversation has led naturally to the next. Most of these have been w

Over the coming weeks, the School for Contemplative Living will be making a number of improvements to our website, online services, and technology systems. Our goal is simple: to make it easier for people to find information, stay connected with our programs, register for events, and participate in the life of our community. Some of these changes will be visible, while others will happen quietly behind the scenes. As with any renovation project, there may be moments when thin

This entry arises from the Sacred Conversations in Contemplative Writing Group’s Ship Island Day Retreat, held on April 18, 2026. This post, submitted by Shane Steinkamp, begins with an reflection of the retreat, photos included, followed by a piece of writing that issued from Shane’s pen on the Island, in response to one of the retreat prompts. Seven participants made the crossing, gathering under the thoughtful facilitation of Alisha Johnson Perry and Ellen Prewitt. The isl

Dear SCL community, It is with a much awaited joy that we get to share our new Executive Director, David Prichard, with you. Though our Board chair, Ani Vidrine, knows and values him through their work together at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, for the past three months we, the SCL Board, have been in a deep process of getting to know him too. We have all come to find his contemplative and leadership style a delight and a great match for SCL. Below we offer a