Ligare is an open network of people who desire legal and safe access and believe that Christianity and other existing religious traditions offer paths for preparing, experiencing, and integrating mystical experiences, including those occasioned by sacred plants and compounds.

  • Our Mission

    Our mission is to weave a vibrant and interconnected tapestry, cultivating networks that bridge Christian faith institutions, interfaith organizations, mental health advocates, and the psychedelic community. Through thoughtful convening, network development, and collaborative partnerships across multiple institutions, we aim to empower and educate religious leaders and communities about the profound opportunities and challenges within the resurgence of psychedelics.

    We are committed to nurturing the spiritual leaders of today and tomorrow, transcending traditional roles and empowering individuals historically excluded from power. Our focus extends to supporting clergy and spiritual directors in integrating psychedelics into their ministries and engaging with seminaries and chaplaincy programs to cultivate the next generation of spiritual leaders.

    To effect change, we initiate a narrative shift, transforming the often-negative narrative around psychedelics within the context of the Christian tradition. Through a variety of media and storytelling tactics, we assist people of faith in sharing their psychedelic experiences and are producing a long-form documentary on Christianity and psychedelics.

    As a go-to resource hub for Christianity and psychedelics, we are dedicated to generating knowledge. Our education and outreach initiatives include developing curricula, safety guidelines, and theological frameworks. We commission original research and surveys to better understand Christian attitudes toward psychedelics.

    At the heart of Ligare is the community we foster. We are a home for Christians exploring psychedelics and supportive spiritual practices. Our efforts include hosting forums and affinity groups, supporting working groups within our community, and encouraging solidarity within the broader psychedelic movement. We aspire to create self-sustaining wisdom schools focused on the intersection of psychedelics and contemplative Christianity, providing a space for deepening spiritual life.

  • Our Vision

    Our vision is a more interconnected, educated, and spiritually vibrant world, where psychedelics and faith coexist harmoniously.

Meet Hunt Priest

In early 2016, I was a fortunate participant in a psilocybin study involving religious professionals.

My encounters with psilocybin opened me to the healing and consciousness-raising power of sacred plants and fungi and their connection to my own Christian practice. The epiphanies forever changed the trajectory of my work.

Through Ligare, I want the healing power of these sacred plants to be in the toolkits of all who are healers of bodies, minds, and souls. Part of this entails actively collaborating to bridge the knowledge gap between psychedelic research and religious and spiritual communities. The other part is providing a network and community of like-minded people who have had such positive experiences and wish to have continued fellowship together. 

Meet the team

  • Rev. Timothy Tutt is the Executive Director of the Briggs Center for Faith & Action — a non-profit organization that partners with, supports, and advocates for refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers. Tim is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and he served as the senior minister of churches in Austin, TX, and Bethesda, MD. He was worked as a college English instructor, university chaplain, and Legislative Assistant to a Member of Congress. A native Texan, Tim is a graduate of Baylor University, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and Wesley Theological Seminary. His doctorate in public theology focused on rhetoric and pacifism in communities of faith. Tim’s writings have appeared in The Austin American Statesman and OnFaith. In addition to the Ligare Board, he serves on the Board of The Cornerstone Fund and on the Montgomery County MD Remembrance and Reconciliation Commission. Tim and his spouse live in Bethesda MD and have two young adult children. Tim enjoys eating enchiladas, watching a well-executed double play, and running in Rock Creek Park in Washington DC.

  • The Rev. Megan Hollaway is an Episcopal priest, clinical social worker, and spiritual director. She has lived and worked in the ecumenical religious community, Richmond Hill, and has served in parish ministry in Virginia. Since 2011, she has been chaplain to a college preparatory school in Los Angeles, California. She holds a certificate from the CIIS Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research and is currently a student in the facilitation program of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. Outside of chaplaincy, she supports a small number of people seeking to integrate their psychedelic experiences and to connect more deeply with themselves, others, nature, and the divine. She is especially concerned with supporting those who have suffered from challenging or adverse events during or after psychedelic journeys and on building stronger networks between therapists and religious leaders. Her work in the church is focused on education towards an ethical, communal, and less commodified framework for psychedelic healing.

  • Noah Maier is Head of Partnerships for the Novogratz family's impact and philanthropy. As a fundraiser, he has raised over $300M for transformative global causes. Prior to working for the Novogratz family he established, scaled, and exited a national fundraising consulting firm and partnered with top-tier Fortune 50 companies at one of the world's leading innovation consulting firms. He has worked on fundraising projects with Open Society, the Salvation Army, and the ACLU among many others.

  • Jessica Felix Romero has over 15 years of experience in social justice advocacy, organizing, and communications. With a doctorate in conflict analysis and resolution, she integrates holistic system analysis and transformative design to help nonprofits advance social change. She is the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Sojourners, a faith-inspired nonprofit that works with Christians to put their faith into action in the passionate pursuit of social justice, peace, and environmental stewardship.

    Jessica loves all things about food and spirituality — her pioneering doctoral research in El Salvador documents the transformational possibilities of conflict-resolution oriented food systems that feed people and nurture peace. She is a student of somatic writing and practitioner of embodied leadership. Her current work explores the intersections of spirituality, ancestral wisdom, and Christianity.

  • Originally from CT and now resides in Georgia. She attended the University of Kentucky.

    She worked in the corporate world in NY & CT for 30 years and then moved to Georgia and worked at large Episcopalian Church for 3.5 years as the Office Administrator.

    Amanda now is our Operations Manager. She loves administrative work and numbers. She also is the Council President of a Lutheran Church and an Outreach Chair in her spare time.

    Amanda Loves problem solving and helping people.

  • As a certified Interfaith Spiritual Director, her calling is to walk alongside others on their path of awakening, healing and restoring wholeness.

    Allyssa’s focus areas are trauma-informed care, interfaith conversations and psychedelic support; she thrives at the vibrant crossroads of spirituality, psychology, somatic work, and psychedelics.

    Allyssa’s deepest joy stems from supporting and guiding others on their sacred journey and spiritual unfolding. Her mission is to facilitate healing, re-awakening to purpose, and revealing the precious gifts that are woven into the fabric of everyday life. Through her care, compassion and presence, she invites you to embrace and explore your own unique path.