FāVS News News and Commentary about Religion and Ethics in Eastern Washington and North Idaho
Joe Niemiec Jr. began his spiritual quest in 1986 when he walked out of a Houston jail and was struck by the realization that his life was in shambles.
He began his quest for ‘getting back on track’ with 12 step programs, followed by learning and practicing meditation with a local Redding, California, teacher.
Spiritual growth continued to be a major focus for him as he explored meditation, shamanic quests and sweat-lodge work. In 1993, he discovered the (then) Redding Church of Religious Science and began to study the Science of Mind as a means of expanding his personal growth. He began taking classes and serving on different SEVA (a Sanskrit term meaning selfless service to God) positions. Niemiec also studied with various clergy, which led to his becoming licensed as a practitioner, and, in 2003, a staff minister at the Redding church.
It was during this period that he met and married Rev. Toni Niemiec.
In October of 2006, the couple accepted position as co-pastors at the Spokane Center for Spiritual Living.
Since moving to Spokane, I have become active in the local Interfaith Council, participating in events such as Unity in the Community and the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. In the spirit of SEVA, I also serve Centers for Spiritual Living the international organization we are affiliated with, he said. My deep belief is in service to the individual, the Center for Spiritual Living Spokane, and to the greater world. My focus for the individual is empowering each to achieve his or her own personal greatness. For the Center for Spiritual Living Spokane, it is to grow a spiritual community through Sunday talks and classes, in a place where people from all faith paths will find an open and loving spiritual community. For the greater world, I am committed to doing my part to deepen our individual and collective knowing and understanding of ourselves and, therefore, God.
The Rev. Joe Niemiec Jr. began his spiritual quest in 1986 when he walked out of a Houston jail and was struck by the realization that his life was in shambles.
He began his quest for ‘getting back on track’ with 12 step programs, followed by learning and practicing meditation with a local Redding, California, teacher.
