A Community of Practice
Bread of Life offers community and practices that support the intentional spiritual journey toward fullness of life and courageous offering of gifts to the world. We have faithfully carried out that mission since 1997.
In a discernment process in 2021 many of our dedicated friends, supporters, and participants expressed a longing for a more articulated community structure at the core of Bread of Life. In response we formally launched our Community of Practice in 2022. Through committed relationships and practices we seek to live out the core values and mission of Bread of Life.
The Community of Practice is for those who seek dedicated companionship aligned with the mission of Bread of Life on “the solitary journey we cannot make alone.”
“I’m developing a deeper sense of my unique spiritual identity, releasing my adaptive self while welcoming and embracing my authentic self.”
““The longer I remain committed to the Community of Practice, the more I understand and appreciate the unity that is at the heart of our existence. The longing of my soul for “holy common union” comes to rest in the welcoming reality of relationship with all creatures.””
Wondering whether this might be a fit for you? Take a look at our Community of Practice Vision Statement and the Community of Practice Agreements. The Community accepts applications annually from mid-October to mid-November for the following year.
We invite you to take time to sit with what we envision and what it might mean for you. If you feel drawn to participate in and help to develop this Community of Practice, please read through our Invitation to become a part of this movement at Bread of Life.
"The Community of Practice has been a welcoming spiritual home in which my own unfolding is nurtured despite my having a faith tradition that differs from that of most participants. As a Jew, I am completely comfortable and embraced, and find others to be curious about my faith practices much as I am about theirs. Some of us belong to faith communities beyond the Community of Practice and others don’t. For some, nature is their church. We come from diverse backgrounds but join together to create sacred space in this beloved community." - Heidi Smith
“The Community of Practice spiritual community is unlike any other I have been part of. Often a member may share what is ineffable and elusive, yet the others are able to understand and identify with that sharing. This is, for me, a powerful affirmation of spirit dwelling amongst us. The shared experiences blend with our own; in a very real way, then, we are shaped and deepened by one another.” - Trudy Baltz
“The Community of Practice has been such an important part of my spiritual life since I joined two years ago. To have an interfaith community that has faith in my faith, even when I struggle to do so; that is open to my doubts, my explorations, my heterodoxy: that can embrace people of such different backgrounds and beliefs: this has been a godsend (or, if you will, a spirit-send) to me as I try to navigate these troubled and divided times. It is a safe place to be open and vulnerable. A place to share compassion, and laughter, and reverence (and, yeah, a little bit of irreverence now and then). It is, above all, a valid and loving community--something so many of us hunger for.” - Chris Motley