This page includes background about Thérèse and Tere as well as our purpose and values statements.

About Thérèse and Tere

Sacred Groves was founded in 2002 by Thérèse (pronouned “Terez”)  Charvet. Her partner/spouse, Tere, joined her in 2004.

Thérèse has lived in these woods since 1977, has been a nurse, a practicing midwife doing home and clinic births in Kitsap County, and was the Midwifery Program Director at Seattle Midwifery School for 13 years. Over 70 years old now, at this point in her life, she offers earth-based rituals and group gatherings that awaken us in our bodies, open our hearts, connect us more deeply with a sense of community with fellow humans, and the natural world. Her service is mostly place-based in the healing forest sanctuary at Sacred Groves, claiming that Mother Earth and the land here is the primary teacher and healer.

Influenced by her intense work with women giving birth and midwifery organizations, grounded by her long-time Buddhist meditation practice, Thérèse began exploring the “women’s blood mysteries” and old goddess religions in the 1980s. She began learning from and with mentors and various groups who were likewise inspired to develop a spirituality that connects our human bodies with Mother Earth, a mix of wiccan, goddess and Native American spiritual teachings.  The most recent addition to the Women’s Mysteries School are her services offering Holistic Pelvic Care to women, after becoming certified in this work through a training with Tami Lynn Kent in September 2013.

Tere has been at Sacred Groves since mid-2004 when she “fell down a rabbit hole” and found herself in a beautiful new world, slipping into a shoe that fit perfectly. She has worked as a carpenter since her early 20’s, a competent “handy-woman” who can build, do plumbing and electrical work. She has built and continues to maintain all of our facilities here at the Groves. Tere also considers cooking as one of her “love languages,’ bringing home-cooked food to many of gatherings, in addition to her big heart and welcoming hugs.

Sacred Groves’ Values

Deep Relationship with This Land  

We believe that this Land we live on is sacred.

Earth Honoring Practices

We are committed to a lifestyle that respects and protects the Web of Life for now and for future generations.

Community & Interdependence.  

We believe relationship care strengthens our resilience as individuals and as a group

Creative Expression    

We see creative expression as a core human need, a way of communing with the divine.

Equity and Justice  

We are committed to creating a world where there is equal value and respect for all genders, ages, races, cultures and between human and non-human worlds.