Special Request to our Sacred Art Community
Joe Richter, our dear friend and colleague, is recovering from serious cancer surgery. Please use the form section below to send him your healing thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
Joe will now require 3 months of recovery from extensive cancer surgery. We know that the intentions and prayers of our Sacred Art Community were an essential part of what his doctors call “a miracle” case. We invite our community to send new messages of prayerful support for Joe, his family and our SALC team.
Richard Groves
Update - Joe’s Cancer Journey - October 8, 2026
Beautiful oak tree on a lawn with the setting autumn sun shining warmly through its leaves
Dear Friends,
Fall is here and I have been enjoying the crisp mornings and watching the leaves change into their beautiful colors. Fall is such a great teacher, time to preserve and protect what is within the trunk, and letting go of leaves that sap your energy. These last few months I have been healing up and regaining strength since my surgery, and I appreciate all your encouragement, messages, texts, cards and letters.
I wanted to take a moment to share an update with you all. Recent tests have shown that the cancer has moved to my liver, with two small nodules in my lung and a lesion on one of my ribs. A liver biopsy confirmed that it is the same clear cell renal carcinoma that was in my right kidney when it was removed in June. Somehow, a few of those rascal cells slipped away, and the doctors were surprised to see them show up so aggressively just three months after surgery, especially since the June scans showed nothing.
I’ve begun the most aggressive chemo and immunotherapy available, with hope that it will shrink these spots and keep things under control. This treatment worked for me before, and I’m praying it will take hold again. Today I’m meeting with a radiologist to see whether the lesion on my 5th rib can be treated directly. They are also running next‑generation sequencing on the biopsy tissue to look for mutations or abnormalities, and testing my DNA to help determine which medicines might work together to stop this new growth. I’m grateful every day for the researchers and doctors from multiple agencies who pour their hearts into this work.
Because of where these lesions are located, surgery isn’t an option, and there is no cure at this time. The best hope is remission — or, the ultimate, if God wills it, another miracle. Kristi and I have been wrestling with this news and preparing our hearts for different possibilities, and it has been heavy.
But I am choosing to live with cancer while working toward eliminating it, rather than living in fear of dying from it. We continue on our knees in prayer, trusting that God is leading us up this mountain. And if you’re able, we ask you to join us — lifting up prayers for guidance, strength, and healing for our family and the medical team caring for me. There is so much to be thankful for and I feel so blessed to have you as part of my healing community.
God bless you all,
Joe
Please submit your healing thoughts and prayers for Joe using the form below. Please note: all comments will be subject to approval due to security and spam protection and will be published as soon as possible.
Prayer Wall
Sign up for our Olive Branch Newsletter
Read about program updates and information from our Sacred Art of Living Community. Click below to subscribe.
Dear dear Joe! We remember eating weird sushi morsels with you in Tokyo! And many other wonderful memories. Oh, how we depended on you for just about everything, getting the programs up and going. We surely pray that your recovery is making steady progress. We miss you and your cohorts and just send oodles of our love and prayers. We are on the other side of the world, but you know and we know that distance and time lapse are of no import when it comes to prayer. I’ll send a prayer whenever I see a bunny, real or decorative. And at other times, too, like in our morning devotions. God be with you and Christy and everyone.
Constant prayers of peace and comfort and strength surround you always. Our lives and our world is so blessed by all you share, with your every breath. In love and delight for you, Horti
Hi Joe I keep you in my prayers since I learned of your cancer battle. I cherish our time together and have nothing but utmost respect and appreciation for your dedication and support to Richard, program directors, and your mother’s memory May you be blessed with healing and a long life Bless you Brian Huculak
Hi Joe! Yes, still using this antiquated email!! 😉 And the prayer comes to you just the same… Gentle and Most Loving Healer, May Joe, and all who love him, feel your healing presence this day and every day. May your wisdom guide all those who care for Joe. And may each day bring healing for Joe – body, mind & spirit. Amen.
Hope you continue to heal Joe and the Cancer leaves your body.
Aloha Joe….. It has been over 10 years since I have seen you. Holding you in my contemplative prayers and sending healing affirmations for a speedy recovery.
Sending prayers your way. Best wishes for continued healing.
Joe, I am so sorry you’ve had to endure such a difficult journey with cancer. Sending you many prayers, blessings, and continued healing.
Candles lighting Joe. With you x
To Joe and family…. May your healing continue. May you experience the love of God all around you, buoying you up and over each hurdle of your journey. Praying for peace and healing, Joe. Blessings to you!
Prayers continue for you, Joe, through Silent Unity’s 24/7 prayer community. Im so grateful that your surgery went so well. Im sure your healing journey will also be called miraculous. Im looking forward to seeing you and Christi in the near future. Loves, Hugs, and Prayers, Anna .
Joes, I am holding you in prayer and loving support as you heal and recover from your surgery. May you experience a felt-sense of divine grace. 💕
Sending love to you Joe and your family. I am delighted to hear that your surgery went so well. Keep going, you are doing brilliantly. xxx
Joe, may each day bring you closer to recovery. I know the Pendleton Rodeo misses you, as do I. I hope to see you in August. Sending love, Andrew