My Tacheria Journey

In 2019, I moved from Colorado to the Oro Valley/Tucson area - with my husband, John. A few years

earlier, I retired from ordained ministry and found my later-in-life calling through a two-year Interfaith

Spiritual Direction course in Berkeley, CA. During that hot transitional summer, I sat and searched the

internet for interfaith communities I might get acquainted with. When I found Tacheria through a

Google search, I couldn’t believe my good luck. This was a match for me. However, the summer

application deadline had passed a day or two earlier and I didn’t know how the directors would feel

about someone who had already completed a similar course elsewhere.

I sent a note to the Contact email from the webpage and got a lovely note from Frank Williams. He

said to go ahead and send my application and then they would interview me. I was still a little unsure

when I went in to interview with Betty Stauffer. Once Betty began to share her own background, I

relaxed completely and experienced a “kindred spirit – kindred community” feeling.

My little class – a group of 14 or 15 people – was wonderful. Each person told their own story over

the two years and shared their spiritual journey. Each person seemed to share a common trait of

authenticity. The leaders and the faculty were the same in that regard. We were all completely

different - different faith traditions and beliefs - but shared a common respect for this beautiful

community of fellow spiritual journeyers. We learned from our instructors and from each other.

When COVID came along, the program moved to Zoom. That was a shock, but it turned out to be a

full and meaningful experience. At some point between my first and second years, I volunteered to

help Betty and Frank with the website, Board emails, and the Alumni emails. Shortly after graduation,

I joined the Board, wanting to continue my involvement with Tacheria.

Later, when Cathy and Gil Stafford decided to retire from our partner program, Wisdom’s Way, COVID

was quieting down. I had the honor of stepping in to direct Wisdom’s Way school (shadowing Cathy

and Gil for most of a semester). After two years of directing the school and leading the Practicum,

with three dedicated volunteer partners in leadership – Sue Larson, Fran Walsh, and Dave Wehner

(all graduates of either Tacheria or Wisdom’s Way schools), I stepped back from leadership to

become more “retired.”

Janet Tolman later asked if I would help her with the technical pieces of the Alumni program for

Tacheria (Zoom, emails, etc.). I love Janet and her work with the Alumni, so I agreed to help. That

continues to be a lovely experience.

Tacheria is a beautiful community. Each new class has its own personality. When alumni gather for

special events, it is such a joy to see both new friends and old. It is a true breath of fresh air during

this time of great division and contentiousness.

If you are looking for a place where you may “fit” spiritually and come with an open spirit of inquiry,

this might be a new spiritual home for you, as it has been for me. We welcome new participants with

open arms to our ever-widening Circle.

By Karen Gatlin

Learn more about Wisdom's Way and Tacheria Alumni Circles