Rev. Margaret Cross, Board President, serves as Pastor of St. Stephens Presbyterian Church in North Highlands. Peggy has been a long-time friend of Bread of Life, participating in a range of offerings including spiritual direction, contemplative dialogue practice, and Project Heaven on Earth with her congregation. Peggy writes, "It is so exciting to be part of an organization that continues to create openings that encourage a wide variety of people to explore and deepen their spiritual life. Whether it is through art and creativity or through specific Christian practices, lives are

being transformed and new life and freedom is being discovered. What is even more profound is the way the work and mission of the Bread of Life Center continues to reach far beyond its own walls, even to other countries and governments!"

Christine Schmoeckel, Vice-President, is a woman with a passion for art and life who has served a variety of functions on our board. An Information Technology manager for the State of California, Christine has long been a seeker whose spirituality finds expression through creative arts and friendship networks. It was her connection with Art Director Carol Mathew-Rogers that initially led to her involvement here. Christine writes, "Through art workshops with Spirit in the Arts, I quickly recognized the opportunity to make deep connections to personal growth and spirituality-- connections

that are not dependent on a certain (or any) religious path. The staff provides an open, safe and fertile space to explore what is important to each individual on their (the individual's) own terms. This is reflected in Bread of Life's core understanding that all people have sacred worth and value and a contribution to make to the community. It is an honor to serve on the Board."

Ed Connolly, Treasurer, is our most recent board member. After retiring from 30 years of service in the California Community College system he and his wife Karen opened Sunlight of the Spirit, an interfaith and recovery book and gift store in Midtown Sacramento. As an associate with the Sisters of Social Service, Ed strives to incorporate the Benedictine principles of balance, works of service, shared faith, hospitality, and ongoing spiritual development into his daily life and the operation of their store and other community efforts. Ed is also a published author of a

children's book entitled Summer Dance of the Fireflies. He writes... "Being a Bread of Life board member is a natural addition to my retirement, spiritual journey, and service to the greater Sacramento community."

Lisa Sargent, Board Secretary, is a manager at the California State Teachers Retirement System. Lisa is an Episcopalian and has been active in Parish and Diocesan ministries. She was Commission of Ministry Chair and represented the Diocese of Northern California at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in 2009. Lisa is a Spiritual Director and completed the Bread of Life Spiritual Director Internship program in 2006.

Lisa writes “the Spiritual Direction internship program was transformational for me. I thought I was learning the skill of spiritual direction, but that was only a small part of what I experienced. The work I did preparing to become a spiritual director tapped into the depths of who I am as a person and what my relationship truly is to God. It shook me to my core. I emerged at the end of the Internship Program more conscious, aware, and dare I say it, more whole. When Sandra inquired if I would be interested in joining the Bread of Life Board, I felt blessed to have the opportunity to give of my gifts and talents. Because of their wonderful programs and retreats, the Bread of Life is directly responsible for the personal and spiritual growth I have experienced in recent years.

Dave Mullen is a retired Lutheran Bishop and pastor of the ELCA. Over the years of his ministry his commitments have always included depth spirituality, small group process, tending to the deepening of koinonia (community)in the congregations he’s served, and the well-being of the communities in which congregations exist. His connections with Bread of Life go back several years. Dave says that Bread of Life’s move to North Sacramento is “a clear instance of Sandra and Jean as spiritual leaders taking seriously the call of God. And I am pleased to join in their ministry in any way I can.”

Dave and his wife, Sue, have been married for forty-two years. The family includes three children and their spouses and five grand-children. They all live close by, something for which they feel very blessed. Dave and Sue are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, in downtown Sacramento, a vibrant, community oriented congregation, and are thrilled to be a part of such a healthy urban congregation.

Dave reads many books a month, a mix of various kinds of novels, poetry, history, theology, biblical studies, sociology and philosophy. He is involved as a leader in the new movement centering on the four gospels, called Quadratos (Alexander Shaia, The Hidden Power of the Gospels: Four Questions, Four Paths, One Journey). Dave is an amateur astronomer and owns a good telescope for viewing the universe. He plays the guitar, recorder, and sings.

Deep appreciation for the transformative power of spiritual direction is what originally drew Brent Anderson to Bread of Life. He finds it invaluable in discerning clarity of mission and purpose, self-revelation, and for developing intimacy with God. As a recent graduate from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Brent’s work focused around the question, “How can we as communities of faith develop formation programs that facilitate an encounter with our contemplative depths, learn to be rooted in this ecstatic peace, and discern the Spirit’s guidance in bringing us and our world to healing and wholeness?”

Brent writes, “Impressed by the tremendous resonance of the Bread of Life’s mission with these issues in conjunction with the deep sincerity, commitment, and passion of the staff, I am honored to contribute to Bread of Life’s efforts.” He currently serves as a chaplain at a local hospital, and has experience in nonprofit building by virtue of his six-year commitment with developing a public health organization in Uganda.