History
Waterspirit was founded in 1998 by Suzanne Golas, CSJP. Sister Suzanne’s prophetic witness recognized the need for spiritually-informed action on environmental issues. In her words, “We cannot have true peace without right relations with the land and the water.”
Our original home was at the Stella Maris Retreat Center on the New Jersey shore, overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean. In 2017, Waterspirit relocated to the historic First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, overlooking the Navesink River. Our current Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, came onboard when Sister Suzanne retired in 2019.
Since its founding, Waterspirit has been on the vanguard of the field of religion and ecology. Our eco-spiritual programs encourage personal transformations that lead to long-term, regenerative environmental activism. Our spiritually-inclusive programming reaches across the US and into six countries. Waterspirit connects the grassroots to the United Nations, zooming in and out in order to fulfill our moral obligation to protect clean, safe water for everyone.
Throughout our history, hundreds of volunteers, program participants, and supporters have benefitted from the opportunity to connect with Mother Earth and be of service to her waters.
Read our current strategic plan here.
Stella Maris (left), Suzanne Golas CSJP and Blair Nelsen (middle), First Presbyterian Church of Rumson (right).
““How lucky I am to have found a place, people and program that are full of the heart and soul of the essence of the spirituality I feel when I jump in the ocean, watch the snow falling, smell the autumn leaves…””
““Waterspirit has really helped members of our parish community live and act by values that show the relationship between water and the sacredness of God’s creation.””