Waterspirit Celebrates 25 Years Of Spirituality, Ecology: Rumson

RUMSON, NJ — From a modest office at the First Presbyterian Church in Rumson, some of the most fundamental elements of existence - no less than the planet's waters - make up the daily work of the Waterspirit staff.

In one compound word, Waterspirit describes a spiritual ecology organization, now 25 years in the making, that has been at the forefront of the field of "eco-spirituality."

Waterspirit's founder was Sister Suzanne Golas, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, and was based at what was then the Stella Maris Retreat House overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the Elberon section of Long Branch.

Golas created Waterspirit and is still its source of inspiration, although she is now in retirement with her order.

But leadership staff and Waterspirit's volunteer board of trustees are stewards of her vision and are bringing the Waterspirit mission to an array of environmental issues facing the region and the planet.

Anniversary celebration

The 25th year is a special anniversary, and Waterspirit will celebrate it with a Joys of the Sea benefit June 10. The event takes place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be outdoors at the First Presbyterian Church, 4 E. River Road, in the Oak Grove, accompanied by music performed by a harpist. You can purchase remaining tickets here.

Two Yale professors, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, will be presented with the Suzanne Golas Spirit of Water Award. Directors of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, they are considered the founders of the eco-spirituality movement, the university says, bringing a new dimension to environmental awareness and environmental justice issues.

"Given the looming climate crisis and ongoing environmental injustices, spiritual ecology work is more urgent than ever," Waterspirit says, citing the work of the honorees.

According to a Yale School of the Environment publication, Tucker and Grim, who are married to each other, co-created the discipline of the study of religion and ecology.

The two are senior lecturers and research scholars with appointments in the Yale School of the Environment, Yale Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. They are retiring at the end of the semester, but plan to continue their work.

They created the documentary “Journey of the Universe” with cosmologist, Brian Swimme, according to the Yale publication.

Sponsors of the event include Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace; Peace Ministries Inc. formed by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace; PROGRESS Capital; Middletown Pediatric Dental; Ann Marie and Bob Reardon; Kate and Bob Chambers; Sue Smith and an anonymous donor.

Advocacy on many fronts

Waterspirit leaders Blair Nelsen, Anne Price and Rachel Dawn Davis recently discussed the impact the organization has had.

"It's been the quite the evolution since 1998," says Executive Director Blair Nelsen, since Golas took action ahead of her time in combining a love of the ocean and a belief in the "sacred value" of water on the planet.

"She turned her love into action," said Nelsen, who became executive director in 2019.

The individuals who work year in and year out for environmental protection are central to Waterspirit's mission, they say.

Doing its part to help protect the environment, organize support and broaden the effort to ensure environmental justice for all people is clearly lifelong work, says Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy and Justice Organizer for Waterspirit.

And nourishing the souls of environmental advocates takes dedicated effort that only benefits the larger mission. So one of the initiatives of Waterspirit is an eco-anxiety support group that helps people replenish themselves for advocacy work.

For Anne Price, program director, a variety of activities engage the public and expand awareness of Waterspirit. There are educational programs, meditations for the Earth and a book club.

And the changing of the seasons - and an awareness and appreciation of that natural rhythm - is also celebrated.

For example, there is a Summer Solstice Celebration on Wednesday, June 21, at 7 p.m. at the church.

"Through music, movement and ritual, we honor the Earth, sun and water working in harmony to bring us the gifts of summer," according to the explanation of the event. The program will also be livestreamed on Waterspirit's YouTube channel.

Watersprit's initiatives also take on global issues.

The organization is working with other advocates for a statewide call to action for "demonstrative events" calling on Gov. Murphy to place a moratorium on pending fossil fuel projects.

"Our Planet, Our Future: New Jersey Call to Action on Climate" is an effort to continue to prevent seven fossil fuel projects planned throughout the state.

"As we approach critical deadlines, we will gather together for bold, beautiful actions," Waterspirit urges.

Last summer, Waterspirit was part of a "Gov. Murphy, Walk Your Talk On Climate" effort to raise awareness about the projects. From across the Navesink River, demonstrators hoped to be spotted by Murphy from his waterfront Middletown home.

And environmental justice is still another front of advocacy for Waterspirit.

Davis will attend the Moral Poverty Action Congress in Washington, D.C. later in June as part of the New Jersey chapter of the modern day Poor People’s Campaign, which she said she helped to strengthen over the past year.

"Climate justice is among the many interlocking injustices represented across the campaign," she said.