Spiritual Formation

As a spiritual director, I focus on the work of spiritual formation. I work with people who seek deep connection with the Holy as they understand it and, therefore, want to engage with spiritual practice, theological understanding, ethical living, and contemplative reflection to nurture that connection and deepen their faithfulness. At the heart of my practice are the questions, "Where is the Sacred in this? How are you in relationship with that-which-is-larger than yourself?"

I have 15 years of formal experience as a spiritual director and formator as a Unitarian Universalist, including a D.Min from Chicago Theological Seminary studying spiritual formation in liberal religious communities, an M. Div from Starr King School for the Ministry, and certification as a spiritual director through the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tuscon, AZ. My ministry of direction includes work with laypeople, seminarians, and clergy from many different traditions, including Unitarian Universalists, Disciples of Christ, Humanists, Episcopalians, and members of earth-centered traditions.

As a consultant, I work with seminaries, ministerial associations, and other institutions to support robust spiritual formation. In order to strengthen ministerial formation as a whole, the process of spiritual formation must be named, articulated, supported, and given the time needed to shape the professional and academic learnings a seminary student undertakes. I help institutions and faith communities to create professional development, academic study, and spiritual formation that is robust in each particularity as well as integrated across all three pedagogical modes.

With institutional leadership and staff, I examine processes of ministerial formation, articulate formation goals, and develop curricula and systems to meet those goals. Together, we attend to the complexities created by abundant knowledge and limited resources, scheduled coursework and spiritual growth.

As a presenter, I bring established and original programming to groups with whom I work. I teach in the parish, for clergy groups, and other religious institutions. I lead workshops for professional organizations, including clergy and religious professionals as well as accredited coaches working in a variety of fields. My teaching includes programs for spiritual formation and growth, leadership development, anti-racism training, public speaking and performance, the interplay of sexuality and spirituality, and creativity and the arts.

Workshops with me may include a combination of small group conversation, individual reflection, group discussion, and lecture. They also include in-the-moment experience, spiritual practice, and opportunities to imagine how to use the learning going forward. I teach with an appreciation for the wisdom of the body, so that we care for ourselves while we learn as well as how to engage our bodies to live out what we learn.