For over 20 years, I have worked with organizations working for justice in Philadelphia and New York City, seeking out the intersection of spirituality and justice. I co-founded, along with incarcerated women and women living on the outside, an Associates Degree program at a prison in New York City, and I taught undergraduate students as a professor at the Oregon Extension of Eastern University. Alongside my spiritual direction practice, I offer workshops and retreats for both faith communities and nonprofits. I’m a graduate of Eastern University (BA), and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv), and received my spiritual direction certification through Kairos School of Spiritual Formation. I have extensive experience and training in trauma-responsive care and behavioral health. While I call home a Mennonite congregation in Philadelphia, I work with people of all faith backgrounds, and those not identified with a particular faith, in spiritual direction, retreats and workshops. I approach my work from an anti-racist, undoing oppressions lens.
Retreat and workshops can be tailored to your group, including:
- Embodied spirituality
- Spirituality and liberation
- Contemplative prayer practices
- Discernment practices
- Grounding in the heart
- Healing the image of God
- Community- and self-care practices to thrive while working for justice
- Contemplative practices for teens
- Deepening connection to the mission (for organizations)
- Preventing secondary trauma (for organizations)
I have worked with organizations and congregations such as:
- Project HOME
- Philadelphia Contemplatives
- Cranaleith Spiritual Center, Philadelphia
- University City District
- JobWorks, Philadelphia
- Manhattan Mennonite Church
- St. Peter’s UCC, Glenside
- Germantown Mennonite Church
- Tabernacle United Church
- Frazer Mennonite Church
Melissa Berkey-Gerard 