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.

  1. A “Tool Box” of resources for small group formation

  2. A certificate program in Creation Spirituality 

  3. A quarterly newsletter

  4. Monthly phone conversations with local leaders 

  5. Membership was for individuals and for communities.

  6. 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

  1. Used Zoom as a meeting format

  2. Identified who our constituency was and how we could help them offer what they yearned to offer the movement

  3. Brought CS community leaders together – through Zoom.

  4. Designed and Implemented an Ordination Program

  5. 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. 

  6. PR, Languaging the movement.  How can we say who we are and what we are about? Mary Reaman wrote the Six Essentials.  

  7. Clarified membership benefits and levels.

  8. Finished he website

  9. 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

  1. Ordination of 5 CS ministers

  2. Attempts to seed regional groups around the country

  3. Immersion Retreats initiated

  4. Elder InnerView project begun

  5. Online presence established, e.g. Facebook page

  6. Newsletter became a beautiful magazine which involves a host of Participants offering their creativity and news.

  7. Sponsored a booth at the Parliament of the World’s  Religions in Toronto, Nov. 2018.

  8. The Circle Way was adopted as a way holding board meetings..

  9. 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