A History of the Guild

The Guild for Spiritual Guidance

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A History of the Guild

The Guild for Spiritual Guidance (written by Nan Merrill - Guild 1)

A Guild from medieval times to the present day is an organization with a unique Purpose and outreach. The goal in the early 17^th century was to learn a trade such as masonry or carpentry, to become skilled in this work, and, eventually, to pass the knowledge and proficiency learned on to others interested in following a similar vocation. The apprentice was under the tutelage of a Master, who mentored the individual for as long as it took to become skilled. Finally, the apprentices became models and, over time, Masters for others in their own right. Then, to become a member of the greater Guild with others of the same persuasion brought with it responsibility, respect, and privilege in the community.

So, as we chose to become a Guild, which today is unique to spiritual programs, it seems appropriate to tell our story often, lest it be forgotten. The first gathering was based on a spiritual formation program that Morton Kelsey tried to introduce as a part of the curriculum to several seminaries to no avail. Not one seminary at that time was willing to even consider adding a spiritual dimension to their program. So, Morton came to Wainwright House in Rye, NY, where he found enthusiastic support.

Photo of Nan Merrill courtesy Sandy Hernandez (Guild 15)

"May you all be blessed, dear Guild friends, even as you and your life are blessing to others."

Always with love, Nan Merrill (Guild 1)

Note: Our beloved Nan transitioned to the Spirit realm on 1/23/10

In 1977, about thirty individuals of varying religious persuasions – John Yungblut, Douglas Steere, John Oliver Nelson, Madeleine L’Engle, S. Cora Brady, Henri Nouwen, Walter Wink, to name but a few – met to discuss the feasibility of a spiritual program at Wainwright House. Once it was decided to create a two year program, John Yungblut was chosen as its first Director. I was invited to become the coordinator, which today is called Assistant Director. Colman Ives became the financial coordinator, par excellence, and Polly Wiley, a kind of cultivator-at-large to the whole enterprise. Alfred Sunderwirth, then Director of Wainwright House and John Hewitt, its Manager, held the balance between the many programs of Wainwright House and the evolving Guild program. All were part of the first Steering Committee/Advisory Board.

After the initial gathering, those on the Steering Committee met with other initially active individuals to work out the details. Early in the agenda came the naming of the program. After some ideas and discussion, John Oliver Nelson suggested we become a Guild for Spiritual Guidance; this resonated with the group and, by consensus, it was agreed. In keeping with the early Guild system, we decided to use the terms apprentice instead of student, cultivators as our mentors rather than teachers, with the clear understanding that the True Guide of the Guild was always to be the Christ Consciousness, or as some prefer, the Holy Spirit – however, we individually experience the Source of our Being. John Yungblut, along with the Steering Committee, chose the first cultivators: The Mystics -- S. Cora Brady, the Jung segment – Brewster Beach, Teilhard’s Vision -- John Yungblut, and, by Guild III, when it became evident that we needed a Processor, Gary Hellman was chosen.

We also followed in the style of the early Guilds in the creation of the Greater Guild program. Here, we continue to strengthen our basic commitment to grow together through renewing and sharing in our understanding of the three basic Guild strands, to illuminate and expand our sense of what it means to be a spiritual guide or companion to and with others, to be open to the Spirit guiding our own lives each day, lest we get off track, and to listen to one another ever more deeply and compassionately with respect for all. Yes, we are an ever growing Guild. And daily, we can and are making a difference in the world by the energy of our love and light radiating out to all we meet, whether it be our families, our friends, those we companion or guide, at work, in our places of worship, wherever we may be.