The day that I am writing this post, June 20th, is the day Scandinavians call Midsommar, also known as the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year. It is often marks the beginning of summer and the abundance of light, with the sun setting late (or not at all in some parts of Scandinavia).
For Journey Center of Michigan and Journey Center of Chicago, it marks a time of ever-increasing light toward our full merger into Journey Center Great Lakes.
Let me offer a quick recap:
In March 2025, founder and Executive Director of Journey Center of Chicago, Eva Sullivan-Knoff, announced her semi-retirement. That movement opened a door for the JCOC board and I, as founder/Executive Director of Journey Center of Michigan, to enter into a discernment period of seeing where the Spirit might be leading our two communities. After several weeks of thoughtful consideration, deep listening together to the Spirit, and prayerful discernment, we sensed a clear invitation to move forward together, as Journey Center Great Lakes.
Rooted in the Journey Center Way, in the Way of Hospitality, Contemplation, Silence, Discernment, Mission, and Love, this new beginning allows us to extend the heart of our mission across a wider region while staying true to the Spirit and Light that has guided us from the very beginning.
With this new chapter, I am transitioning in as the new Executive Director of Journey Center Great Lakes. Our board and I are working hard to listen and cultivate a well supported next chapter. We are excited to see where God will continue to lead as their Light leads us into this next season.
We step into this new season with gratitude for all that has been, and with great hope for all that is yet to come. Thank you for being part of this unfolding story. Join us! We cannot wait to walk this journey with you!
