About Tacheria

History of Tacheria

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Tacheria began in 1992 when Lupon Claude d’Estree, a Tibetan Buddhist, and Jeanette Renouf, an Episcopal Christian, created an interfaith course in spirituality at St. Philip’s in the Hills in Tucson, Arizona. The course quickly grew in popularity, and they offered it several times over the next three years. As interest deepened, it became clear that many students were seeking training in spiritual direction and deeper interfaith spiritual formation.

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By 1994, a board of advisors had formed, and the name Tacheria—a Yaqui word meaning spiritual or inner journey—was chosen to reflect both the program’s purpose and its Southwestern roots. A two‑year spiritual direction training curriculum was developed, and the first class enrolled in 1995.

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Because St. Philip’s did not have a quiet enough space for the program at that time, classes moved to Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where Tacheria also maintained offices for spiritual direction and interfaith companionship. Linda Williams was among the early students during this period. Two years later, Tacheria returned to St. Philip’s in the Hills, where it has remained. Although St. Philip’s could not formally budget for the program, they generously provided free classroom space one Saturday each month. During this era, Tacheria also launched its Summer Film Series, held on Friday evenings throughout the summer.

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In 1998, Claude and his family relocated to Washington, D.C., leaving Jeanette to lead Tacheria on her own. She combined the two‑year curriculum so that first‑ and second‑year students met together, a structure that has largely continued. Over the years, instructors have changed as people moved or new resources became available, yet the program has remained deeply interfaith, drawing on the diverse spiritual traditions present in Tucson. This rich blend has strengthened both the classes and the wider community. Many graduates have used their learning for personal spiritual growth, some have become spiritual directors, and others have integrated these gifts into various professions.

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Jeanette planned to close Tacheria in 2003 upon her retirement from St. Philip’s, but several community members expressed a strong desire for the program to continue. Among those who stepped forward were Linda and Frank Williams and Annick Saffken, who joined Tacheria for several years and gradually assumed teaching and administrative responsibilities. Jeanette continued to participate in the program and chaired the board, while Claude returned annually to offer retreats or teach classes. Annick later moved on to other work, and in 2006 Jeanette passed leadership to Frank and Linda Williams, with Frank becoming chair of the board. Jeanette has remained an active board member and continues to teach or participate in retreats each year.

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Cathy Stafford, a 2013 graduate of Tacheria, continued her involvement in interfaith spiritual formation. In 2014, with the support of the Tacheria Interfaith Spirituality Center Board, she became the Director of Wisdom’s Way Interfaith School in Phoenix, a “sister” spiritual direction school connected to Tacheria’s mission. Wisdom’s Way also offered an online spiritual direction training program, expanding access to interfaith formation across Arizona and beyond.

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As of 2026, the Board of Directors has placed Wisdom’s Way Interfaith School on hiatus, pausing the program while discerning future needs within the interfaith spiritual direction community.

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Today, Tacheria continues to graduate 5–10 students each year from its two‑year Interfaith Spirituality and Spiritual Direction Training program. The quality of its graduates remains high, and alumni continue to gather regularly for continuing education, spiritual formation, and community support.