We will be offering individual Spiritual Direction, Group Spiritual Direction, Worship opportunities, Retreats and other Spirituality focused events and education. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks! There is limited space for Individual Spiritual Direction, if you are interested please sign up HERE or contact the office to let them know of your interest.
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What is this?
Spiritual Formation is defined as: the process of listening and being attentive to how God is with
us now and always. In Spiritual Formation we are being formed by God in our listening to how
the Holy Spirit is calling, shaping and leading us. The Creator, the Savior, the Advocate are
speaking to us with a basic message of love for us, for all people, and all creation. Spiritual
formation can occur in one with one, in groups and in community. Spiritual Formation is
shaped by intentional practices of prayer, silent listening, meditation and scripture reading. The
goal is to lead a more contemplative life and to allow the Holy Spirit to form our character to
love God, others, all people and the earth and all creatures. Spiritual Formation always leads us
outward in service and care for others and all people.
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Our Director
The Reverend Doctor J. Richard Eckert
The Reverend Doctor J. Richard Eckert was ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament
on June 23, 1974. Following his ordination, he was called to serve as Pastor of Zion Evangelical
Lutheran Church, in Penbrook, Pennsylvania where he served from July 1, 1974, until June 30,
1992.
In March 1992, Pastor Eckert accepted a new call to serve as Pastor of St. Peter’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Middletown, Pennsylvania. He began his ministry there on July 1, 1992, and
served the congregation until his retirement on October 31, 2021. During these years, he also
provided leadership beyond the local congregation, serving as Dean of the Harrisburg
Conference and completing four three-year terms on the Synod Council.
Following his retirement on November 1, 2021, Pastor Eckert continued to serve the church.
From January 1, 2023, through May 31, 2025, he was honored to serve as Interim Pastor at Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church in Liverpool, Pennsylvania.
Throughout his pastoral ministry, Pastor Eckert has been deeply committed to the study and
practice of spiritual formation. He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg on May 16, 1986. His three-year program focused on the
role of spiritual formation in the art of preaching.
He continued his formation at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, earning certificates in
Spiritual Direction, Group Spiritual Direction, Contemplative Leadership, and Embracing the
Call of the Holy Spirit. In June 2023, he completed a two-year program at Lutheran Theological
Southern Seminary, in Hickory, North Carolina receiving certification as a Spiritual Director.
In each congregation he has served, Pastor Eckert has offered individual Spiritual Direction,
Group Spiritual Direction, and Contemplative Worship services, nurturing deeper spiritual
growth within the body of Christ.
Pastor Eckert and his wife, Kathryn, have been blessed with 53 years of faithful marriage.
Together they have three children: Anne, Assistant to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at
Temple University; Emily, a kindergarten teacher at Sara Lindemuth/Anna Carter Primary
School in Susquehanna Township; and Andrew, who works in musical theater and resides in New
York City.
Pastor Eckert is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Pastor for Spiritual Formation at Grace
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Camp Hill. He prays that the Holy Spirit will guide and enrich
the congregation’s growth in faith and spiritual formation.