Passing the Peace
A Blog By PAX Center for Spiritual Formation
Who Are We?
PAX is a Christian spiritual formation center & non-profit that began in a small town by the marsh in Massachusetts. Now, we train people from all over the country in the art of contemplative listening.
Our vision is to equip you to integrate spiritual formation into your life & the life of your worshipping communities. We believe in moving from a head to a heart knowledge of the voice & love of God. Through our cohort programs, spiritual direction, & retreats, we seek to create room & equip people to hold spaces where we can hear & recognize the voice of God & know that we are beloved.
This blog is an extension of our ministry & a place to get to know each other as well as provide a space to share things we learn along the way. Below, you will find posts written by our PAX staff team as well as wonderful guest writers. We are looking forward to listening together.
Explore Past & Present Advent Reflections!
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Advent Week 1: Zechariah
FROM THE DESK OF CONRAD MCKENZIE
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"I'll Wait For You"
FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS
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Hey! Unto You A Child Is Born!
FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace?
FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS
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Does Hope Make A Difference?
FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS
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Waiting
FROM PAX BOARD MEMBER, RICHARD YAN
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Advent Week 4: Love
FROM PAX GRADUATE, BETH STEELE
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Advent Week 3: Joy
FROM FRIEND OF PAX, MATTHEW GALIANO-WILLIAMS
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Advent Week 2: Peace
FROM PAX BOARD MEMBER, TIM ZIEGENHALS
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Advent Week 1: Hope
FROM PAX GRADUATE, SHARON DHAVALE
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Advent Week 2: The Innkeeper
FROM THE DESK OF JUDY KUZMAN
Most Recent Blog Posts
Below you will find the rest of our blogs beginning with the most recently posted. We hope these provide a small slice of nourishment & a space to pause & listen in the midst of your day. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at contactpaxcenter@gmail.com & we will get back to you as soon as we can!
Advent Week 3: The Animals
When the Thanksgiving day parade is over and the turkey is eaten, my family excitedly turns on the Christmas music, buys the tree, and hangs the lights! With the help of my children, we…
Advent Week 2: The Innkeeper
A hidden aspiration of mine, which I’ve truly romanticized, is the idea of owning an inn. Every “spiritual gift” assessment I’ve taken over the past three decades (which is roughly one billion…
Advent Week 1: Zechariah
It is safe to say that we all have come face to face with disappointment- whether it is having a dream die or a hope disappear. Oftentimes that which we hope for can be good…
Walking With Saints
As I pulled off my raincoat and settled into a chair at the window table of a bustling pub way out in the countryside, my seatmate looked over at me and said “Bobbie. You are really wet!” I looked down, surprised….
This is Judy
Hi! I’m Judy (Kuzman), but a lot of people call me “judykuz”. I feel so honored to be joining this team and look forward to helping to create space for others to notice God’s presence in their lives….
This is Conrad
Hey! My name is Conrad. Most days you can find me on the road, paying visits to Hospice patients and their families offering them spiritual support and encouragement. I am new to…
This is Tess
Hi! My name is Tess. It’s great to meet you! Most weekdays, you’ll find me in front of a computer screen or on the phone. In addition to the time I spend with the PAX team, I work for a…
Watching Things Grow
I love summer. Not because I’m an “in the water” person anymore—if that’s what you were picturing—but because I love the sun on my face and being near the water, especially the Maine coastline….
An August Pause
Every August for as long as I can remember, my parents took a break from ministry…
Reflections on Pilgrimage: Renewed Day By Day
As many of you know, my husband (Tim) and I (Rama) like to go on walking pilgrimages. We have found that walking, even over long distances, can leave us feeling…
This is Jacob
Hi, I’m Jacob! Most days you can find me crunching numbers, organizing spreadsheets, and keeping administrative details organized—often with a…
My “New” Morning Rhythm
For the past year, I have been putting off trying to find a morning rhythm with God that fits into my new normal with my very active daughter…
A Journey With Discernment
The word “discernment” gets tossed around in a variety of spheres. I have had the privilege of being an admissions application reader for a professional school and a volunteer interviewer for my college alma mater. I have heard the “pros”…
All 2024-2025 Programs Have Officially Wrapped Up!
Dear PAX Community,
If we could sum up June in a word it would be celebrate. In our family, June brings the celebration of four birthdays, Father's Day, an anniversary, & (drumroll please)…
God’s Boundless Love
I don’t remember how I first heard of PAX, but it came across my path and got my attention. I believe things are never random with God and so curiosity led me to ask questions…
A Reflection For the Season of Pentecost
What a wild story! If you were to put yourself in the shoes of this crowd, how do you think you might have responded? In this scriptural account, it seems like…
A Summer Spiritual Practice
When I was younger & people asked me what my dream job was, the answer I gave was always back up dancer for Beyonce…
This is Iela
Hi, I’m Iela! Most days you can find me trying to convince my 11-month-old to take a nap or walking outside in all types of weather. I am known for my Beyonce’s…