05/05/2026
Dear Lumunos Friends,
Many of you may have been aware of Doug Wysockey-Johnson's carefully planned exit from Lumunos, which was designed to pave the way for a new executive director and a new chapter for Lumunos. Doug has eased out of his role over the last two years as David Fraccaro has taken over as executive director.
As of this year, Doug is no longer involved on a regular basis, although we hope to still have access to his wisdom on occasion, including for an upcoming Is Peace Possible Luzmoom later this year. In true Doug fashion, he offers us one more lesson as he moves on from Lumunos, which you can read below. We, the Lumunos board, have offered our deep gratitude throughout and encourage you to reach out to Doug and do the same:
“At Lumunos, we believe that transitions are important….”
I said those words countless times during my 25 years while serving Lumunos. Usually, it was at the start of some gathering—a retreat, or Zoom event, or even at a Board meeting. What followed would be some kind of guided exercise to reflect back on the day. The idea was to pay attention to where people had just been—work, eating dinner, tending to home—as they transitioned into the Lumunos meeting about to start. It was a way to think about what of significance might have happened during a busy day, while also helping people be present to the people, and the Spirit, in the current moment.
I find myself thinking about those words as I live into my current transition: From my many years at Lumunos, to whatever is next. While I stepped down as Executive Director early in 2024, I continued doing contract work with Lumunos until earlier this year. This drawn out transition has been by design, in what I hope has been a win-win for both the organization and myself. But now it is time to truly leave Lumunos in any sort of staff or consultant role. I will continue to cheer on, pray for, and financially support this organization that I love. But it is time to say goodbye.
So, thank you Lumunos. Thank you for allowing me to work in this quirky, unique, unusual, beautiful organization. I have so much gratitude, first and foremost for the people of Lumunos: Board members, staff, event participants, contributors, and the Faith at Work saints that have supported me from the other side. There are far too many of you to name, but every one of you has been important to my growth and development.
From the Board: Thank you, Doug, for your years of dedication and inspiration. Your emphasis on relationships has upheld the character of the organization, and it would not be what it is without you.
Which brings me to another of my Lumunos mantras, repeated frequently when recruiting people for the board, staff or an event. I’d usually say some version of “You will like the people you meet at Lumunos—we seem to attract good people.” Whether that is true, or whether our process and values bring out the best in people, I’m not sure. Either way, you meet good people when you hang out with Lumunos. Trust me on this one—between my time on the board, as Executive Director, or as a consultant, I hung out with Lumunos people for a long time. What we do, and how we do it brings out the best in us.
From the Board: Doug, you made us all better people with your leadership and wisdom. We are all grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you.
I’m also grateful for the opportunity to have worked with an organization that so closely aligned with my own values. Helping people listen for their calling in the complexity of their daily life; valuing, navigating and deepening relationships; modeling an inclusive spirituality; leading with vulnerability; and becoming more self aware, to name a few. And all of this as a way to make the world more the way God wants it to be. Every one of these values and principles was, and continues to be, important and relevant in my own life and for our world. But these are not just my values. Every time I read the latest article or research about what makes for a good or meaningful life, or a healthy organizational culture, or helps you live longer, it feels like what Lumunos has been talking about for decades. How amazing to show up every Monday morning and have that be my work!
From the Board: Lumunos values, which you have always embodied, made being part of the Board a very different experience from typical organizations, an experience that we all cherish.
Because I am writing to a Lumunos audience, some honesty and vulnerability is in order. It hasn’t always been easy. I don’t miss the budget and fundraising conversations. My work required lots of traveling, which took me away from my family and put a lot of pressure on Kathryn when the kids were young. At times I let fear get in the way of faithful risks I should have taken. And when our son Soren died, it took a lot out of me. I didn’t step down for several years after that loss, but I sometimes wonder how much that had to do with the timing of my stepping down. Even the best jobs have their difficulties, and this one had its share. Still, the challenges pale in comparison to the gifts.
In terms of what is next, I’ve stepped into my next season of calling. I’ve formed an LLC with the wildly creative name of WyJo Coaching. The tagline pretty much explains what I do: Coaching, Consulting and Calling. The goal is to spend the next several years working half time, supporting people as they seek to do the sometimes-difficult work of living out their calling. Much of my work is with people working in health care: nurses, PAs, physicians, and administrators. They are good people, with a lot on their plate. I am enjoying listening to and supporting them, using much of what I learned at Lumunos.
And I will continue to cheer on David and Lumunos. I love the direction he is taking the organization. It feels like a faithful blending of honoring our core values while stretching and reimagining our mission. It is what this organization has always done, which may be why we are still here while so many other nonprofits have closed their doors. I hope you will continue to support Lumunos too.
From the Board: We wish you the best in your new endeavors, knowing that you will continue to be an ambassador for Lumunos and its values.
Finally, whether you are reading this as a long time Faith at Work/Lumunos person, or as a new friend to the organization: Bless you! And to quote my fellow Swede Dag Hammerskold: "For all that has been, Thanks. To all that shall be, Yes."
To which the Board (and we all say): Amen!
