Meeting Mystics from the Margins: Journeys of Faith & Action

Mondays, Nov. 9, 16 & 23, 2026

6:30 – 8:30 pm ET (Virtual via Zoom)

Cost:   $150

We don’t need to be afraid of the word “mystic.”

It simply means one who has moved from mere belief or belonging systems

about God to actual inner experience.

—Richard Rohr  

 

Meet three Christian leaders, Sojourner Truth, Desmund Tutu & Barbara Holmes, who led from their inner experience of God while pursuing justice and mercy from marginalized societal positions. These leaders lived courageously and lovingly, despite the difficulties–even horrors–they witnessed and endured. They drew from the deep well of their faith, and by doing so, en-courage, inspire, and challenge us to develop and live from our inner experience of God in our times. 

Each evening, we begin with a presentation featuring a speaker who has been learning from their mystic and brings their unique knowledge, experience and perspective. Then we will share in a reflective discussion of their lives and the impact they have on us. During the intervening weeks, we will provide prompts to continue praying with as you let these giants inform and inspire your life. We will also provide further resources to learn more from these spiritual giants.

Details

Dates

All classes will be held virtually on Zoom at 6:30 – 8:30pm ET.

  • November 9
  • November 16
  • November 23

Presenters

Kimberley Mulder

"I will not allow my life's light to be determined by the darkness around me." Sojourner Truth's words have stirred courage and faith in me, and many others. She drew from an instinctive faith and empowered others through her vital sense of self and God.

Presenting on Sojourner Truth

Kimberley enjoys creating, coordinating, hosting, and facilitating spaces for people to encounter God, experience belovedness, and deepen faith. She received her Master's of Divinity and Spiritual Direction Certificate from Portland Seminary, an ecumenical school grounded in Quaker and Evangelical roots. Her formation began in nature and family, the Christian Reformed Church, Canada, Ukraine, and the US, twenty-two years in a large multi-ethnic Vineyard church in Ohio, and her family of five.
She is a Spiritual Director, has led spiritual formation small groups, service projects, and prayer groups. She is a member of the Companioning Center where she participates as Spiritual Director and writer. A former teacher, refugee resettlement coordinator, and caterer, Kimberley has found God continually illuminating Life and Love in the particularities of her life.

Michelle Muhammad

“Contemplation is...a pause to remember who we are and whose we are…if the model for contemplation is Eurocentric, then the religious experiences of Indigenous peoples will never fit the mold. But, if contemplation is an accessible and vibrant response to life and to a God who unleashes life toward it’s most diverse potentials, then practices that turn the human Spirit inward, may or may not be silent or solitary.” Dr. Holmes words are an invitational, welcome call for me and others that engage practices authentic to ourselves.

Presenting on Dr. Barbara Holmes

Michelle Muhammad is a Chicago native with over 20 years professional
experiences in art, design, young adult & college student ministry and caregiving.
She loves being creative and helpful in service. Michelle also enjoys
listening to life stories while accompanying people in their Spiritual journey.
Michelle is a certified, Spiritual Director through the Companioning Center
located in Oregon. She is in an ever-growing, loving relationship with the
Holy Trinity (the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit). She deeply
longs to see more love, healing and wholeness in our world. Michelle
is dedicated to cultivating all of her gifts and talents to partner in the journey
towards that end.

Gail Heffner

Gail has been inspired by Desmond Tutu for many years and his wisdom has helped guide her as she teaches, leads in reconciliation ecology, and listens in spiritual direction.

Presenting on Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Gail Gunst Heffner is a spiritual director who was trained at the Dominican Center and certified in 2016. Gail is also an Emerita faculty member at Calvin University and has a PhD in Urban Studies from Michigan State University. From 2004-2020 Gail served as the Director of Community Engagement at Calvin where she co-founded and co-directed Plaster Creek Stewards, a watershed restoration initiative. She has a new book on reconciliation ecology, Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed: Restoring Ken-O-Sha published in May 2024. Gail enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with friends and family (especially four little grandchildren) at the Lake Michigan coast.
Michelle Muhammad is a Chicago native with over 20 years professional
experiences in art, design, young adult & college student ministry and caregiving.
She loves being creative and helpful in service. Michelle also enjoys
listening to life stories while accompanying people in their Spiritual journey.
Michelle is a certified, Spiritual Director through the Companioning Center
located in Oregon. She is in an ever-growing, loving relationship with the
Holy Trinity (the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit). She deeply
longs to see more love, healing and wholeness in our world. Michelle
is dedicated to cultivating all of her gifts and talents to partner in the journey
towards that end.

Facilitators

Kimberley Mulder

Spiritual Director, Program Assistant at Dominican Center

Kimberley Mulder is a Spiritual Director trained through Portland Seminary, having received her Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2021 and her MDiv in 2023. She moved to West Michigan in 2022 and discovered the Dominican Center shortly afterward, joining the staff in October to utilize her skills in coordinating and facilitating to host souls in their deepening spiritual journey. Her spiritual journey has had home bases in Reformed, evangelical, and charismatic churches while always encountering God through nature, beauty, and goodness.

Geralyn Myczkowiak

Spiritual Director, Facilitator

Geralyn Myczkowiak (pronounced mitch cove e ack) is a Spiritual Director. She facilitates Spiritual Companioning and Foundations in Spirituality.

She completed the Spiritual Director Practicum at Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2019. She practices spiritual direction at Dominican Center, Design Futures, and in her home office. Geralyn leads spiritual book studies and teaches classes on listening, happiness, and Thomas Merton. She is a former Michigan public and private school teacher, ISD administrator, and educational consultant. Geralyn is a mother, sister, daughter, and grandmother. Her intent is to journey with others as they experience God’s love and unity in their daily lives.

Register

Choose Your Registration Fee:

We’re committed to reducing financial barriers to participation.

While the true cost of creating and offering this program is $150, we’re offering two additional price levels — $200 and $75.

Please choose the one that best aligns with your current financial circumstances.

If you need further financial assistance, please fill out the form below and submit it to programs@dominicancenter.com. We will send instructions afterward on how to register with financial assistance.

View Dominican Center’s refund policy.

Download Financial Assistance Form

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