THE HISTORY OF CSC

THE BEGINNINGS OF A MOVEMENT
1976: Matthew Fox founded the Institute in Culture and Creation Spirituality (ICCS) at Mundelein College in Chicago, Illinois.
1983: Matthew Fox moved his program to Holy Names College in Oakland, CA Original Blessing was published. Changed the world.
1989: Cardinal Ratzinger silenced Fox for one year and forced him to step down as director of the program.
1991: Fox was expelled from the Dominican Order and the program at Holy Names was terminated.
1996: Matthew Fox established the University of Creation Spirituality in Oakland, CA. The Masters program was accredited through Naropa University in Boulder CO
2005: August UCS was turned over to a new president with a new name, WisdomUniversity. It soon evolved in another direction, however, Creation Spirituality students continued to receive degrees there until 2011. By now, thousands of people had read Matt’s books and hundreds had invested in degrees. WE WERE A MOVEMENT. Would it falter or continue to grow?

CSC FORMATION PERIOD 2005-2009
2005: Summer. Susan Coppage Evans had a mystical vision of a Creation Spirituality Church while attending a UCS class with Matt Fox at Chartres Cathedral. Together with Matthew Fox, Susan discerned the meaning of the mystical experience through contemplation, dialogue and letter writing. A discernment committee was formed to explore whether others felt the calling forth of such a church or community.
2006: June, A steering committee met in Oakland for two days. The committee was formed of former DMin students, CS leaders and individuals who served on the Board of Friends of Creation Spirituality. Through a guided discernment practice, the group developed a consensus that yes, there was a growing need for alternative churches and communities (in addition to mainline churches) that offered creation spirituality practice. Matthew Fox, ,Susan Coppage Evans, Mel Bricker, Debra Martin, Jo An Gaines, John Keefer, Karen Ray, Debra Amaral, Ann Dean, Philip Hoku Harmon, Bill Gordan, Matt Henry
2006, The first CSC Board was formed, including these people: Mel Bricker Matt Henry, Susan Evans, Bill Gordon, Nicole Porcaro, Mary Plaster, Rick Kuykendall, Marybeth Granberry, Edina Preucel
2007, February, CSC was incorporated as non-profit in Colorado with this mission and vision:
Vision For Creation Spirituality Communities (CSC): A network of communities ranging from intentional groups to alternative churches, which are grounded in the tenets of Creation Spirituality and revere the sacredness of all creation. Through study, ritual, celebration and action, these communities support justice, compassion, transformation and sustainability for the Universe and for all living beings.
Mission of CSC: To provide training, resources, support, guidance, structure and encouragement for the development of Creation Spirituality communities. To honor the core values of Creation Spirituality. To act as a networking vehicle for individuals who seek to join others in the study and practice of Creation Spirituality. To provide opportunities that honor creation and cultivate the mystic, prophet and artist in all people.
2007, The first CSC Gathering was held at Mills College, Oakland, CA. The event was administered by the board to gather the wider community.
2009 Gathering in Greencastle, IN. Theme: “Originally Blessed”
2010 CSC Gathering at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA
2011 CSC Gathering in Chicago.
2012 CSC Gathering in Annapolis Maryland (sponsored by Evolve! Chesapeake, MD)
2014 CSC Gathering in Pittsburgh, Theme “Source of Compassion”
2016 CSC Gathering in Berkeley, Theme: “Generations
2019 CSC Gathering in Asheville, Theme: “Sacred Earth, Sacred Work”
2022 CSC Gathering Online
2024 CSC Gathering, Cape Cod, MA

THE CSC BOARD PROGRAMS
2010-2015
Programs in place during this time.
A “Tool Box” of resources for small group formation
A certificate program in Creation Spirituality
A quarterly newsletter
Monthly phone conversations with local leaders
Membership was for individuals and for communities.
Website was begun
2012 CSource was started as an independent business run by Di Wolverton. It offered online seminars and classes for study, books and CDs by CS people. It was online for a few years.
2015 January. Board Retreat at Susan Coppage Evans focused the board on several agreed upon areas:
Ordination, chaired
Bringing together community leaders
Certificate Program

THE BOARD BUILDs COMMUNITY AND IMPLEMENTS ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Used Zoom as a meeting format
Identified who our constituency was and how we could help them offer what they yearned to offer the movement
Brought CS community leaders together – through Zoom.
Designed and Implemented an Ordination Program
Designed a Certificate Program, approved by the board and ready to implement in January 2016 when we were told that the Fox Institute was going to launch.
PR, Languaging the movement. How can we say who we are and what we are about? Mary Reaman wrote the Six Essentials.
Clarified membership benefits and levels.
Finished he website
Streamlined the Vision, Mission, Purpose
Who We Are: Creation Spirituality Communities is a network of individuals and communities that are grounded in the sacredness of all creation through the study and practice of Creation Spirituality.
What we do: We facilitate a network of individuals and communities that embody the principles of Creation Spirituality.
Why we do it: To honor the core values of Creation Spirituality and act as a networking vehicle for those who seek to join others in the study and practice of Creation Spirituality.
2016-2018
Ordination of 5 CS ministers
Attempts to seed regional groups around the country
Immersion Retreats initiated
Elder InnerView project begun
Online presence established, e.g. Facebook page
Newsletter became a beautiful magazine which involves a host of Participants offering their creativity and news.
Sponsored a booth at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto, Nov. 2018.
The Circle Way was adopted as a way holding board meetings..
Did a survey to our mailing list to help shape planning

LISTS
CSC GATHERINGS
2007 The first CSC Gathering in Mill Valley, CA
2009 Second CSC Gathering in Indianapolis, IN Originally Blessed
2010 CSC Gathering at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA
2011 CSC Gathering in Chicago. (sponsored by a local community, UUA, Bill Gordon)
2012 CSC Gathering in Annapolis Maryland (sponsored by Evolve! Cheasapeake, Wayne Schwandt/ Patty McGrath, Coordinators
2014 CSC Gathering in Pittsburgh, “Source of Compassion” Sponsored by First UMC, Gail Ransom, Coordinator
2016 CSC Gathering in Berkeley, “Generations” Sponsored by the board, Judy Shook, Coordinator
2018 CSC Gathering in Asheville, “Sacred Earth, Sacred Work” Sponsored by the board, Gail Ransom, Coordinator
CSC BOARD RETREATS
2015 Boulder Colorado
2016 Flagstaff, AZ
CSC Board Members
Susan Evans
J. Mel Bricker
Bill Gordan
Matt Henry
Nicole Porcaro
Gail Ransom
Carol Pearson
Robert Wilson
Mary Plaster
Rick Kuykendall
Marybeth Granberry
Edina Preucel
Di Wolverton
Judy Shook
Gary Jacinto
Sid Hall
PRESIDENTS OF THE BOARD
Susan Evans 2004-2010
Sid Hall 2019-
Di Wolverton 2010 –2012
CS HEROES YOU SHOULD KNOW
Mel Bricker
Susan Evans
Matt Henry
Di Wolverton
Ann Dean
2017 Austin, TX
Calen Rayne
Tracey Longacre
Carl Freeman Reynolds
Tom Stemple
Daniel Barber
Seth Longacre
Paula Pociecha
Tom Stempel 2012-2014
Wayne Schwandt
Nicole Porcaro
2018 Asheville, NC
Wayne Schwandt
Lynda Boozer
Peter Lanzillotta
Mary Reaman
Mary Davis
Carolyn Million
Joran Slane Oppelt
Gail Ransom 2014-2018
Mary Plaster
Rick Kuykendall