Who We Are
Open Door Collective is an emerging contemplative community and educational nonprofit located in Nashville, Tennessee. We’re on a mission to make contemplative practices accessible to modern spiritual seekers. We believe these practices inspire the kind of loving action that will change the world.
“There is a deep relationship between the inner revolution of prayer and the transformation of social structures and social consciousness. Our hope lies in the fact that meditation is going to change the society that we live in, just as it has changed us.”
– FATHER RICHARD ROHR
founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation
The collective was started by the Revs. Shelby Slowey and Allison Gossett, both ordained pastors in the United Methodist Church. After years of serving the local church together, Shelby and Allison each began to experience contemplative practice as a way of connecting with God in deep and meaningful ways, which led to radical lifestyle changes for them both. Knowing the impact contemplation has had on their own lives, they feel compelled to make these ancient practices more accessible to modern people of faith.
Meet Shelby
Shelby is passionate about equipping neighbors to cultivate communities of peace and justice right where they live. A graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, she has been serving in local churches for over 17 years and was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 2015. A modern contemplative at heart, Shelby is also a trained spiritual director, and leads classes and workshops on contemplative practices. She is a novice gardener and beginner foraging enthusiast, but her true loves are creative writing and finding new ways to practice making art. The Slowey family enjoys hiking the many great trails near Nashville, going camping, and hosting people in their home. More than anything, Shelby strives to be a good neighbor, and to provide hospitality for the heart, mind, and spirit of all whom she encounters.
Meet Allison
Bio and photo coming soon…