Waterspirit Welcomes New Executive Director

Waterspirit is welcoming a new Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, to lead the center of ecology and spirituality founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace more than 20 years ago.

Nelsen comes to Waterspirit from Yale Divinity School, where she recently completed her Master of Arts in Religion. At Yale, Nelsen presented her research on eco-spirituality in Brazil at several academic conferences, including the Graduate Conference in Religion and Ecology and the Religion and Ecology Colloquium. Prior to her studies at Yale, Nelsen spent the previous eleven years in Brazil’s Amazon and Atlantic forests, after obtaining her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Nelsen founded the Brazil-based environmental NGO Centro Holos before moving into work as a retreat facilitator at a rural meditation center.

“I believe in the potential of a strong spiritual foundation to fuel effective social justice work, which is why I am thrilled to be joining the Waterspirit community,” Nelsen said.

After more than 20 years at the helm of Sister Suzanne Golas, CSJP, the founding mother of Waterspirit, will be retiring later this year.

“I am excited to welcome Blair to Waterspirit; I believe that her studies, experience, and perspective will be tremendous assets to Waterspirit and the larger community we serve,” Sister Golas said.

Waterspirit -- one of several ministries in New Jersey established by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace -- is a center of ecology and spirituality that informs, inspires, and enables all people to deepen their consciousness of the sacredness and interdependence of all creation with a focus on water as critical in sustaining all life. Waterspirit presents a variety of programs, including weekly meditation sessions and seasonal equinox and solstice celebrations, and also advocates in partnership with others for clean, safe water for all and a just transition to renewable energy sources.

Upcoming Waterspirit public events include:

Meditation for Earth

Tuesdays 12:15-12:45 PM, 4 E. River Road, Rumson NJ

Quiet meditation and contemplative prayer for Earth

Monmouth County Eco Tour 2019

Saturday, August 17, 9AM-2PM, 4 E. River Road, Rumson NJ

Waterspirit is a participant in the Monmouth County Eco Tour 2019, intended to share local sustainable practices that create resilience in the community to connect, encourage and inspire others. At Waterspirit’s stop on the tour, visitors will be invited to join in a brief contemplative non-denominational prayer for the Earth, with an Earth-honoring ritual to be conducted at 1:30. Prayer will take place in the Oak Grove at Waterspirit’s headquarters, or inside the sanctuary in case of rain. More information on the tour can be found at www.mocoecotour.com

CREATE Core Courage Social Justice Arts Competition and Event

Submission deadline: Sept. 1 (with showcase event to follow in mid-October)

Waterspirit is participating in the CREATE Core Courage art for social justice competition. For this competition, Waterspirit is inviting artists of all ages to use watercolors to express the importance of clean, safe water. To participate, submit a high-resolution digital image of the piece at https://www.createcorecourage.art/ by September 1. Winners will be notified by September 15, when they will be invited to showcase the original work at the CREATE Core Courage social justice art event in Red Bank in mid-October.

Fall Equinox Celebration

Monday, September 23, 7-8:30 PM

4 E. River Road, Rumson NJ

An evening of ritual and reflection to celebrate Autumn’s bounty and beauty while reflecting on the deeper meaning of the season of cooling breezes and lengthening nights. The celebration will include live music by mystical folk-pop duo Tommy and Abby Anton. Refreshments to follow.

Explore Spirituality, Nature & Action: Waterspirit Book Club

(next meeting will be in September, date and location to be announced)

Current selection is Richard Powers’ The Overstory, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. For more information, email water@waterspirit.org

Drumming for Water is Life

Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 PM (re-starting late fall)

4 E. River Road, Rumson NJ

Praying and drumming for the “Water is Life” movement. Join in solidarity, prayer and drumming for all who are actively trying to stop new destructive fossil fuel infrastructure and who are advocating for a just transition to renewable energy sources. Drums and instruments provided.

For more information or to get involved in any Waterspirit activities, please email water@waterspirit.org or call (732) 923-9788.