Public Directory

A contemplative by nature, I seek stillness with God above all. A native of Montana, I was baptized and raised in the Methodist tradition. From my earliest childhood, I have yearned for a life of solitude and prayer. Seeking God's face is an adventure and along the way, I learned much from early Christian prayer practices, the Desert Fathers, St Benedict, the Carmelites, Ignatius, and many other heroes of the faith.
I founded and facilitated corporate support groups for anyone touched by cancer based on the Circles of Trust methodology by Parker Palmer. A year later I was asked to begin another group for caregivers of dementia patients.

Small group or one-on-one spiritual direction and silent retreats are my choices.

I hold a BA in Humanities and have certificates in the Art of Leadership in Ministry, the Art of Spiritual Direction, and as a Grief Support Companion and Facilitator. I have also completed Circles of Trust Facilitator Training through The Center for Renewal..

Susan Grace Alonso is a Spiritual Director on staff at the Cenacle Retreat House in Houston and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She incorporates yoga as contemplative prayer in retreats, days of prayer and weekly classes at the Sugar Land Methodist Church and the Hines Spirituality Center

My training in Spiritual Direction has led me to facilitate a Grief Support Group. This
currently has a group of 7 persons and we meet on a monthly basis with individual
care as needed.
I am the Lay Leader of our church and teach a Women's Bible Study.

As a spiritual director, I offer sacred space for holy listening where both you and I listen to God together. If you are in a season of spiritual questions, discerning God's direction for your life, needing spiritual healing and care, or desiring a deeper connection to the Spirit, I would love to talk with you about scheduling a holy listening session.

Needing someone to listen? I’ll hold sacred space for you to ask those big God questions, share what’s going on with you spiritually, or explore where you are being led.

Needing direction for more than just you? I’ll walk alongside your ministry, team, organization, or congregation and help you discover your shared identity, gifts, and calling.

Needing to get away and connect with God? I’ll facilitate a spiritual retreat at your church, campground, or even online to help you or your group find rest in solitude and prayer.

Peace and grace on your journey, friends. We are in this together.

I am a Certified Lay Minister in the NCCUMC. As a spiritual director my calling is to hold space and journey along side others as they come to greater understanding of themselves and deeper intimacy with God. I have experience leading Quiet Days, facilitating retreats (both themed and silent) and leading centering prayer groups. My spiritual direction training was under the Faithful Companions of Jesus (based on Ignatian Spirituality) and I have received additional training in giving the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The joy is in the journey. . .so let's begin!

I am entering my 17th year of full-time pastoral ministry. I am an ordined elder in the UMC. My heart longs to help persons make space to hear God speak and to notice God's voice in their lives. I am currently in the writing stages of a retreat based in Wesleyan practices as Spiritual Direction and in the planning phase of my Doctoral thesis examining community as a transformative practice and means of grace.

Ordained Elder in the UMC, Virginia Conference
wife, mother, sister, daughter,
hiker, cyclist, reader, knitter, scrapbooker
Christian clown, drama, retreat leader, labyrinth facilitator

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Rev. Michelle Bodle is an ordained elder in the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Pastor Michelle graduated from Drew in 2011 with a Masters of Divinity Degree and received certification in Spiritual Formation from Drew and the General Board of Higher Education in Ministry in 2013. She also attended a two-year course in spiritual direction offered through the Center for Spiritual Formation.

Michelle has served as a pastor since 2010 and as a spiritual director since 2013.

I offer spiritual direction in person and by phone/Skype. I have particular interest in dreamwork as a spiritual practice. I offer contemplative retreats and retreats/workshops on dreams and dreamwork.

I have served as a United Methodist pastor for over twenty years in both small and large congregations and also have served as an Associate Pastor. I have also completed nine units of CPE and am a certified Hospital Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor through The College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. I have also served as a Mental Health Chaplain.

Rev. Dr. Brenda Buckwell is a thoughtful innovator who increases leadership excellence and deepens awareness of the Divine. She is a sought-after conference speaker, spiritual director, coach, and consultant in spiritual formation for leadership boards, judicatories, congregations, and national organizations. Brenda specializes in supervision, mental health and recovery, and clergy spiritual direction. Brenda teaches spiritual formation and spiritual direction at Ashland Theological and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminaries. She is part of the teaching team for CenterQuest – an ecumenical and International Spiritual Direction training program. Brenda works with individuals, groups, teams, and national and international organizations. To contact Brenda directly through the "contact form" at www.livingstreamsflowingwater.com or leave a message at 614.517.8115. Brenda

I am an active Ordained Deacon and serve as Associate Director of the Hermitage Spiritual Retreat Center in Pittsburg MO. It is a part time appointment. I live in Kansas City MO when I am not at the Retreat Center, having retired from teaching criminal justice for 34 years at the University of Missouri. I primarily do individual spiritual direction although small group retreats are possible. I was trained by the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison, KS, graduating in 2014 from the 3 year Souljourners program with a certificate in Spiritual Direction.

Diane Cameron is a spiritual director who works with women and men in recovery or addiction treatment, with writers and artists. All faith communities and no particular faith community. Diane is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker, retreat and workshop leader. Meets in person, on Zoom and on the phone.

I am a retired United Methodist pastor, having served churches in the North Alabama Conference. I received my certification in spiritual direction in 2017 from Perkins School of Theology. So far, I have done spiritual direction only, but interested in branching out to retreats. I have experience in Women's Ministry, Spiritual Formation, and Older Adult Ministry.

Rev. Mary Jane Cole earned her M.Div. from Memphis Theological Seminary and is ordained into the Order of Deacon in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her educational background includes degrees in psychology and rehabilitation counseling. She has served as a hospital chaplain and as associate pastor of First United Methodist Church Little Rock, Arkansas. She received a certification in Spiritual Direction from SMU Perkins School of Theology and currently maintains a private practice of spiritual direction and a secondary appointment as a Deacon to First United Methodist Little Rock. She is endorsed in Spiritual Direction by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Endorsing Agency.

Rev. Mary Jane Cole earned her M.Div. from Memphis Theological Seminary and is ordained into the Order of Deacon in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her educational background includes degrees in psychology and rehabilitation counseling. She has served as a hospital chaplain and as associate pastor of First United Methodist Church Little Rock, Arkansas. She received a certification in Spiritual Direction from SMU Perkins School of Theology and currently maintains a private practice of spiritual direction and a secondary appointment as a Deacon to First United Methodist Little Rock. She is endorsed in Spiritual Direction by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Endorsing Agency.

Im 2001 I was appointed as a local pastor in the Louisiana Conference. I was certified as a Spiritual Director in 2012 and a Transition/Interim Ministry Specialist in 2013. I have a passion for journeying with others in exploring the Truth within us = the Truth that is sometimes buried beneath burdens, weariness, pain and misunderstandings - the Truth that leads to healing, to freedom, and to life more abundantly. I not only offer one-on-one Spiritual Direction, but also offer guided retreats, and retreats/sessions for church leadership within the UMC.

I have been a minister in the United Methodist Church since 2020 and have always had a deep appreciation for Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Formation. I began my personal journey with spiritual direction in 1988. Journeying with others towards healing and wholeness is an honor. I also work with teams, staff, and church leaders in creating a space for spiritual formation within the group setting.

Claire is a Spiritual Companion/Director and retreat leader who believes that in order to grow closer to God, we must first accept God's love for us as individuals and then we must grow closer to one another. As a trained Qualified Administrator of the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory), Claire can provide spiritual care for those seeking cultural humility and also specializes in serving as a spiritual companion with those in the LGBTQIA+ community and with their loved ones.

Claire offers spiritual care to anyone who desires a deeper relationship with God, those in discernment of next steps in their faith journey, people who have been marginalized and those discerning a call to ministry.

Barbara is a graduate of the Benet Hill Spiritual Formation Program, a spiritual director, and a hospital volunteer specializing in capturing patient's stories. Her spiritual background spans evangelical Christianity, Catholicism, eastern meditation, buddhism, sacred mantra and Word, and sacred listening. Barbara has led Sunday School classes, taught workshops in Glastonbury, Australia, and the United States. Barbara's professional career centered in the health professions, with expertise in medical writing, research, and grants.

As a certified spiritual director, I focus my attention on your spiritual experience and
points of self-discovery, and to explore with you God's movement in your life. Spiritual direction is a conversation of the heart directed by the Spirit of God. It uses all our human faculties (intuition, emotions, imagination, senses and intellect) to discern God's presence and purpose for you as you understand it. Whether you are moving through life transitions, noticing shifts in your faith experience, wanting to open and explore new awakenings, calling, or paths of prayer, it's my deep honor and commitment to listen to and walk with you through the landscapes of the soul.

My certification is through the Southwest Network of Christian Formation and Direction Ministries (CFDM). I am experienced in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius both in one-on-one conversations, or in small group engagement.

Rev. Ella H. DeDeaux an ordained elder in full connection in the Mississippi Conference. She graduated from Emory University Candler School of Theology in 2013 with a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) Degree. She 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 next two-year. She attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for a certification in Spiritual Formation.
She has a Masters of Education (MEd) and after teaching for 29 years, retired in 2008.

She served as mentor to those seeking spiritual discernment in the Mississippi Annual Conference. She taught Spiritual Formation through the Center for Ministry in the Mississippi Conference.

She serves on several boards and committees in her local community.

She currently serves as Presiding Pastor in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference.