Staying Connected in the Tacheria Community

September 9, 2023

I wonder what this will be like?

It was September 2023 and my first meeting as a Tacheria student. I’m excited; I expect to meet interesting people. My radar is on alert for kindred souls.

The shift came gradually from being a bunch of people who signed up for the Tacheria program to a deep, personal, and spiritually connected group. Over months of our meetings, the “bunch” became a “we” with a genuine sense of sister and brotherhood. 

I appreciate and value the concept of sisterhood having a beloved identical twin sister (how much closer could a person get?) and an older sister, both of whom I love in different, but deep ways. In my two-year immersion in Tacheria, learning about the personal lives, challenges, and successes of my classmates, I could see a bit of myself in each person. My curiosity about world spiritual beliefs was being fulfilled each month with knowledgeable, experienced presenters. 

A Tacheria year is September through June. As summer approached I suspected I’d experience withdrawal of our monthly check-in time and lively book discussions. The Alumni Circle provides an answer with Zooming - with thanks that I can meet grads no matter where we are. Missing the hugs and energy of live connections, we had two summer Tacheria booster meetings.

March 2026

Standing: Joan Brundage, Amber Dennison-Jones, Betty Stauffer, Judy Moses, Barbara Banks, Ethel Lee-Miller Seated: Mariana Canetas, Gail Koshland, Aida Flores

Gail Koshland and I hosted a Tacheria community gathering with "Each Day a New Beginning” as the theme. 

Whoever could, met at my house. 

Our Altar "Each Day a New Beginning”

We repeated the ritual of creating a group altar, each sharing an item that is a spiritual touchstone that allows us to set aside the day’s stresses and anxiety as the sun sets each evening. For me, faith in the Divine is renewed each day, when I wake up as morning light increases without the need of an alarm, reminder, or instructor. Watching my Tacheria sisters as each added to the altar re-enforced my personal spiritual awareness while connecting me with everyone present. A great lunch, laughter, and a writing activity filled our day. 

As we closed our altar with singing and removing our item, I took time to gaze at each person in our closing circle. Once again I appreciated the value of being connected, and how in-person energy can expand and deepen our spiritual community’s connection. 

We hope to repeat in-person gatherings seasonally.

Look for a July email invitation. All Tacheria students, current and grads, are welcome.

I’ll send out emails. If you don't see a name of one of your Tacheria friends, share the invite and let me know to add them to the list.

Gatherings are all-inclusive. 

"Believing love and peace to be gifts living in all of us, Tacheria Interfaith Spirituality Center is dedicated to promoting spiritual growth and companionship in groups and individuals, so we may serve as examples of wisdom in the world.”  ~ Mission statement from our Tacheria brochure.

I can’t think of a better way to express how and why Tacheria works for me.

By Ethel Lee-Miller, 2025 Tacheria Graduate