Rev. Glynden Bode
Rev. Glynden Bode is an ordained Deacon (now retired) in The United Methodist Church, and was also certified by the UMC in both Spiritual Formation and Christian Education. She served on several church staffs in discipleship and formational ministries, and then in extension ministry with a varied ministry.
For over a decade, Glynden served as chair of the board of the Charis Spiritual Director Training Program, and previously served on the board of Texas Impact, an interfaith advocacy organization. She teaches, leads retreats, collaborates, travels with a canvas labyrinth for prayer, and occasionally preaches. Glynden is a wife, mother, and grandmother, and enjoys nature, knitting, reading, and being on the spiritual journey.
Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook
Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook is an ordained elder in the California Nevada United Methodist Conference. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and her Doctor of Ministry degree from Claremont School of Theology. Her doctoral thesis was on forgiveness.
Rev. Holbrook received her spiritual director training at Perkins School of Theology. She is also certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Linda provides individual spiritual direction and retreats to churches and groups on spirituality, visioning, and leadership.
Rev. Ella H. DeDeaux
Rev. Ella H. DeDeaux is an ordained elder in full connection in the Mississippi Conference. Pastor Ella graduated from Emory University Candler School of Theology in 2013 with a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) Degree. She also has a Masters of Education (MEd) in 1985. Pastor Ella, after teaching for 29 years, retired in 2008.
Ella attended a two-year course, Journey Partners, in spiritual direction. Upon completion of Journey Partners, she was selected to facilitate a small group and be on the team for the nexttwo-year, Journey Partners. She attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for a certification in Spiritual Formation and is approved from the General Board of Higher Education in Ministry.
She has served as mentor to those seeking spiritual discernment in the Seashore District of the United Methodist Church. She has taught Spiritual Formation through the Center for Ministry in the Mississippi Conference. She has also served on several boards and committees in her local community, the United Methodist Seashore District, and the United Methodist Conference level.
Rev. Brian Hardesty-Crouch
I’m a clergyperson of the United Methodist flavor. As the Director of HeartPaths DFW, I am privileged to teach contemplative prayer, lead in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, and train spiritual directors. I love accompanying the discovery of next phases of calling. I enjoy a quiet walk by the sea or a family hike in the mountains. Some favorite spiritual practices include lectio divina, journaling, Ignatian examen, and music. One of my joys is teaching prayer practices and contemplative living strategies that lead to more fullness of life. Any day that includes pizza is a pretty good day!
Dr. Christine McHenry
Dr. Christine McHenry is a retired Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Director of Medical Ethics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Chris has served on a number of institutional and organizational boards including Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, the Bioethics Network of Ohio, and the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries. She has been a member of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church (West Ohio Conference) for over 40 years and received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1998. In 2009, Chris completed the two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation at Bon Secours in Maryland, and in 2013, she graduated from a three-year training program in spiritual direction through the Sycamore Spiritual Center. In addition, she is a trained spiritual direction supervisor. Chris offers contemplative experiences and retreats and individual spiritual direction in the Cincinnati area.
Bonnie-jean Rowe
Bonnie-jean Rowe is a Certified Lay Minister in the New England Annual Conference. She completed the two-year Gateways to God Spiritual Direction training program, as well as retreat leader training programs. Bonnie-jean has also completed certification in spiritual formation. She is currently on staff at her home church in Framingham, MA as the Minister if Spiritual Formation. Her experiences from many years as a middle/high school teacher of the Deaf help her in this role.
Bonnie-jean has several responsibilities in her church, her district, and at the conference level, including being the conference director of Lay Servant Ministries and Certified Lay Ministers. She has enjoyed leading many women’s retreats for her church as well as other churches in her area. When she is not serving her church, Bonnie-jean enjoys making prayer shawls, scrapbooks and cards to send to people God has told her to, and teaching youth how to make beautiful things with polymer clay.
Linda K
Rev. Linda M. Kelly is an ordained elder in the California Nevada United Methodist Conference. She received her Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1991 and her certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction with the Sisters of Mercy, Burlingame/Bread of Life Center, Sacramento, CA in 2002. Rev. Kelly went on to complete her training in Supervision of spiritual directors at Mercy Center Burlingame, CA.
In addition to serving several churches as pastor (now retired), most of her ministry has been as the founder and director of Side-By-Side Spiritual Companions program, a listening ministry with those experiencing homelessness at Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, a homeless services organization.
She is a mother and proud grandmother, a pet lover, and spends as much time as possible communing with the Spirit in nature and wilderness settings while camping, kayaking, and hiking, or sitting in her backyard.
Dr. Ruth Cox
Dr. Ruth Cox is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She works with individuals, children, and families. Dr Cox is an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH. She is currently working with PATH to become a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Soon she hopes to be certified to do Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Dr Cox is a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in eastern NC. She is a Stephen Minister and is working to become a Leader. Dr Cox is also working to become a Spiritual Director through the NC Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation. Presently, she is working with the Pastoral Staff related to Spiritual Formation for the congregation. Starting in Jan. 2025 she and another Stephen Minister will provide a course on different forms of prayer for the congregation.