Staff
Rev. Leslie Leasure, curator
Leslie is a chaplain, writer, and group facilitator. She was the founding program director at the Ignite Institute at Pacific School of Religion – a center specializing in connecting spirituality, social justice work, and innovation. At Ignite she helped develop and facilitate a range of workshops focused on meaning and work, empathy, and inclusive spirituality.
Leslie has been working with people in recovery for more than 26 years in various professional and volunteer roles. She currently teaches spirituality classes and provides client spiritual care at Merritt Peralta Institute, the chemical dependency treatment center at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland.
She is a guest faculty member at the Chaplaincy Institute’s Interfaith Studies program. Leslie has done advocacy in the areas of substance abuse treatment access, prison reform, anti-racism, and LGBTQ/SGL rights.
ITW FAQ
Do I Have to Identify as Christian or Believe in God?
Nope. No belief system required: While many of our activities are grounded in the progressive Christian tradition, we are not interested so much in belief as we are in practice and opportunities to connect, work for justice, and make the world a more loving place.
Folks who identify as atheist, agnostic, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and spiritual not religious have all participated in our various programs. All are invited.
Do I Have to Go to All the Sessions?
Nope. Drop in when you can.
Where is Everything? How do I get there?
When we meet in person, we usually do it at Plymouth Jazz and Justice UCC in Oakland.
We meet more often online and tend to use Facebook for chat and Zoom for online webinars and meditation sessions.
How Much Does it Cost?
Nothing. Really.
If you want to make a tax deductible donation to help offset our operating costs, we’ll happily accept it.
How is Into the Wilderness related to Plymouth Jazz and Justice UCC?
Plymouth is acting as our fiscal sponsor and our curator is a minister in covenant there.
Contact:
Into the Wilderness 
How many hours are the Saturday workshops?
I’m thinking we will meet at 9:30 and go until 11:00 or 11:30, depending upon how many people attend. This will give us time to read the steps, hear from recovering folks, discuss issues/ask questions, and actually start working on each step.