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..

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.

Laura Baber has over 20 years experience as a spiritual director and retreat leader.
She is active with the Center for Spiritual Formation (centerformation.org) where she was trained. Laura leads a variety of spiritual formation groups including: A contemplative artistic group called Create!, a spiritual formation gathering for those ministering cross culturally, and peer supervision experiences. Laura is the author of Rhythms of Restoration: Practicing Grief on the Path of Grace, Seedbed Publishing. She currently lives in Ocala, Florida.

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

As a spiritual director, I work with those who long for a deeper relationship with God or who are seeking purpose in life. As a group spiritual director, I offer guidance for groups of 6 or less who desire a place to share and be held in a confidential environment, recognizing the presence and guidance of God.
My specific areas of focus for retreat leadership are a variety of spiritual disciplines including Lectio Divina & spiritual discernment.

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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.

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.

Receiving my work, one will discover unconditional positive regard, acceptance and creativity. I offer a gentle, authentic and supportive presence of welcome, hospitality and grace to anyone along their path. I embrace a spiritual direction practice of silence, contemplative listening, prayer and discernment. My wife is a licensed professional therapist, yoga nidra instructor, creative writer and published poet. Together we offer leadership in collaborative retreats. I am a trusted with support toward clergy and laity in local churches. Retired from parish ministry, I have much experience dealing with matters related to self-esteem, illness and death, complex systems and dysfunctional issues.

Academic credentials include: Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from the University of Redlands, San Francisco Theological Seminary, M. Ed., University of Lynchburg, CPE Clinical Residency, University of Virginia, M. Div., Wesley Theological Seminary.

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.

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.

I am a United Methodist Clergy, ordained as Elder in 1994. I have, among other ministries, offered Spiritual Direction at 1st United Methodist Church of Fort Worth since 2008.

As a 49 year cancer survivor, the heart of my spiritual journey and call to ministry began with my experiences as a cancer patient at St Jude's over a six year period. Much of my Spiritual Guidance work is with people who have had major vulnerabilities, especially related to illness and want to explore deeper gifts and callings. I learned breath prayer in nature and what is often called "Mindfullness" in the early 1970's as it helped me discover my agency and deepening levels of healing and wholeness.

In addition to intentional presence and deep listening during individual and group spiritual direction, I find these spiritual practices very helpful: Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Labyrinth, Body Prayer, Native American Flute, Journalling, Nature.

I was raised in "the church" and I value the institution that God has called us to serve & support. In 2004 I felt called to participate in spiritual direction and this practice transformed my walk with the Lord. In an effort to share that experience I trained as a spiritual director primarily with an Ignatian approach. My passion is for those who would like to explore a deeper relationship with God, those who are wounded in the midst of ministry, and I have a burden for those in the queer community who have not found a spiritual home.