In January 2007, a group of eight Doctor of
Ministry graduates from University of Creation Spirituality (one whom lives in Grand Junction), and a few other friends, gathered in Denver to share their passion for Creation Spirituality and to dream about on-going celebrations.  There was much discussion about the inspiring and transforming pedagogy offered at UCS and how that was missed since graduating. 

    As a result, the group committed to meet once a month to create a spiritual community based on the tenets of Creation Spirituality and the teachings of the University’s founder, Dr. Matthew Fox(www.matthewfox.org).  Participants of the group chose the name One River: A Creation Spirituality Community (www.oneriver-csc.org).

 Many Wells: A Creation Spirituality Community is a Western Slope counterpart to One River for those yearning for such an environment to express one’s spirit. Many Wells is committed to meet once a month, at a time complementing One River.

  The names, One River, and, Many Wells, are references to the book written by Matthew Fox in 2000, One River, Many Wells.  He describes the deep ecumenism that is present in Creation Spirituality in the following way:

          "What is Deep Ecumenism? I begin with an observation from Meister Eckhart, who says that “Divinity is an Underground river that no one can stop and no one can dam up.” There is one underground river - but there are many wells into that river: An African well, a Taoist well, a Buddhist well, a Jewish well, A Muslim well, a goddess well, a Christian well, and aboriginal wells.  Many wells but one river. To go down a well is to practice a tradition, but we would make a grave mistake (an idolatrous one) if we confused the well itself with the flowing waters of the underground river.  Many wells, one river.  That is Deep Ecumenism". (p. 4-5)

 These deeply ecumenical communities are nourished by a national organization, Creation Spirituality Communities, Inc which has as its mission to support, network and create creation spirituality communities – from intentional groups to alternative churches  (www.creationspirituality.info).

  Participants are diverse in their expressions of spirituality and faith. Christians, Buddhists, Sufis, New Thought practitioners, Lovers of Nature, Scientists and Artists all come together to honor the wisdom of Earth and the holiness of existence. We believe each other to be unique expressions of the Divine, which can be called by many names. And we seek to learn from one another. Our meetings demonstrate shared leadership, which includes the invitation to participants to share in sacred celebrations: singing songs, sharing poems, leading ritual and telling stories. As Co-Creators with the Divine, we hope to build a community that is a healing presence for our community and Earth.