what is a contemplative center?
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Vining Center supports the Christian community by providing coaching, classes, and resources inspired by monastic and Celtic traditions to strengthen people’s personal and communal connection with God through spiritual practice. Our great desire is to contribute to Jesus’ vision for oneness—with God and one another—in the High Country and beyond (John 17:20-21). We carry a particular affinity for God’s creation and stewarding the environment.
Spiritual contemplation is the process of awakening our conscious attention to what is truly Real, in ourselves and in the world. Contemplation pierces the veil of illusion generated by the values, priorities, and narratives of the culture around us…and invites us to reconnect with truth, beauty, and love. Jesus called this “the kingdom of God.”
Check out our Services for the full spectrum of what we do.
Our mission is to help people connect intimately with God and their own souls for the healing of our core relationships and transformation of the world.
Our vision is to teach, encourage, equip, and build a transformational community through time-tested spiritual practices and perspectives.
Our values help us stay focused in all things by seeking to be…
Organic: Rooted in creation and relationship.
Generous: Welcoming the disenfranchised.
Grateful: Savoring what is given with intention and attention.
Simple: Keeping things easy, uncomplicated, and unhurried.
Loving: Championing compassion and reconciliation.
mission, vision, values
our story
Jerome and Kellie Daley met and married in seminary and launched immediately into a life of ministry in 1991. Ten years of pastoral work in Chapel Hill, North Carolina was followed by a seismic shift in the mountains of Colorado for two years where they encountered God in ways they would only later learn to call “contemplative”—extended times of solitude, stillness, and silence in the shadow of the 14,000-foot Pikes Peak.
The next four years saw a move back to central North Carolina as they raised their three kids, and Jerome focused on writing books about the spiritual journey, starting with Soul Space (for his author website, click here.) In 2005, Jerome launched his coaching business which continues today under the umbrella of The Vining Center, now joined by Kellie and others.
Five years later, they were introduced to the Enneagram, a paradigm of personality and spiritual formation that impacted their personal work deeply and laid foundations for the school now emerging here. But the contemplative journey began in earnest in 2014 when Kellie and Jerome enrolled in a two-year program called the School of Servant Leadership in Greensboro (later renamed The Second Breath Center), where they were introduced to core principles and practices from the monastics such as Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, and the Daily Examen.
The next segment of their journey led them to The Transforming Center in Chicago for another two-year program in spiritual formation where their depth of practice was deepened and extended. During that program, they also relocated to the mountains of North Carolina, drawn to the majestic beauty, wildness, and spirituality of the High Country. The both received training in spiritual direction, and began to work together in greater partnership. For more detailed bios, please look here.
The oversight board for The Vining Center includes some of our most trusted friends who are deeply vested in growing the soul and serving the world through contemplative prayer. In addition to Kellie and Jerome, the board consists of these dear allies.
our board
Hope Brown is a licensed mental health counselor and EMDR therapist living in Indiana with her husband and four children. With a Masters from Huntington University, Hope preaches, teaches, and empowers people to be compassionate with themselves and honor their experiences. In her free time she enjoys flower gardening, playing with her golden doodle, home projects, and a random dance party.
Bruce W. Bunce recently "pivoted" from 35 years as a project manager/consultant in the corporate world and now enjoys more time to participate/lead/serve on projects of interest both for the community and church. Continuing to learn, lead and give back are important in this new chapter of life. He is currently on the Board of Hope Academy/Greensboro - A Christian K-8 school intended to serve students/families who are socio-economically disadvantaged. He and his wife Kim attend Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC and enjoy gardening, beekeeping, reading and travel. Bruce is also an avid cyclist.
Abigail Daley is the COO of The Resilience Project, a UK-based CIC providing emotional and mental resilience to those taking action for the planet. Abigail combines her background in international business, management, and life coaching to provide thoughtful and sustainable growth strategies to young companies. Abigail lives with her partner in Maastricht, The Netherlands, where she is currently renovating her first home. In her free time, you can often find Abbie in her garden or in front of her piano.
