Co-Directors + Co-Founders
Kathryn E. Booth + Joan Jordan Grant
About Kathryn
After nine years in an intentional farming and spiritual community in southern France, Kathryn attended Bangor Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1997). While parish assistant at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill she helped develop a pilot project in "spiritual practice and community outreach" and facilitated workshops on spiritual life for area churches and the Maine Conference. While serving as pastor of the Mont Vernon, NH, Congregational Church, UCC, she trained with the Shalem Institute's Clergy Life and Leadership Program. During this program the call to meet the spiritual hunger of our times in new ways was clear, and the seeds of The Alcyon Center and the Northeast Guild for Spiritual Formation (Our Associations) were planted. Kathryn is an adjunct professor at Bangor Theological Seminary and teaches short and full-length courses in Spiritual Life and Formation.
About Joan
Graduating from Andover Newton Theological School (M.Div. 1992), Joan served the Hollis and Amherst, NH, Congregational, UCC churches as associate pastor of spiritual life and formation. She has been actively engaged in the ministry of spiritual direction since 1985 and has facilitated a number of groups including the Spiritual Life Resources Group (of the NH Conference, UCC), UCC Contemplatives (NH Conference), Soul Friends for Women, and the NH Spiritual Director's Peer Group. With the Rev. Maren Tirabassi she has co-authored the liturgical resource book: An Improbable Gift of Blessing.
from Kathryn:
“Rooted in the Christian tradition, I have sought out people, teachings and communities with integrity and a practical approach to spiritual life. The Findhorn Foundation, Waldorf education, the work of Rudolf Steiner, the Twelve Steps, parish ministry, and the spiritual farming community in which I lived have formed my passion for practicing and teaching the inner way of transformation.”
from Joan:
“Mount Desert Island, stained glass windows, pen and ink drawing, local parish ministry, and contemplative prayer are the forces that mold my soul. My passion for spiritual formation has led me to practice a ministry of spiritual direction and small group leadership for the past 30 years. With The Alcyon Center, my love for spiritual hospitality takes root in the Island that created it.”
Joan Jordan Grant + Kathryn Booth