Public Directory

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 deepens awareness of the Divine through spiritual direction, retreat leadership, and education. Brenda is a retired ordained United Methodist endorsed spiritual director, coach, and founder of Living Streams Flowing Water spiritual formation ministry. As co-founder of The Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders: Hearts on Fire, she connected spiritual directors for support and resourcing their ministry.

Brenda is the author of two books, "Spiritual Direction and the Metamorphosis of Church" (2020), and her very popular book, "The Advent of God’s Word: Listening for the Power of a Divine Whisper" (2015). Additionally, Brenda is one of the featured author’s in "A Quiet Pentecost."

Caring for the needs, spirit and love of others is paramount to Brenda, as she opens space for God’s energy and creative activity in daily life. Brenda looks forward to meeting you!

I am a retired Ordained Deacon and serve as Associate Director of the Hermitage Spiritual Retreat Center in Pittsburg MO. It is a part time appointment. See www.hermitageretreats.org. 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.

My love of nature began when my mother kicked me and my brothers out of the house so she could get some peace and quiet. From exploring the field and woods just beyond our backyard, to hiking trails across the United States and Europe as a boy scout, a campus minister leading students and as a solo hiker. Water has also competed for my attention, canoeing, fishing, teaching swimming lessons, standing watch as a lifeguard, scuba diving and swimming on a college swim team. Wet or dry the outdoors has always beckoned. Sometimes, I carry a camera and engage in contemplative photography. As a seven on the enneagram, adventure pulls me out to travel in location and mind. Some of my best times are talking a walk in the woods with my three grandchildren. The focus of my spiritual direction practice involves hiking, forest bathing and contemplation of nature.
After attending Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN as engineering major, I transferred to Lambuth University in Jackson,

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.

Robby Collingwood is a spiritual director who has been an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church for more than forty years. He also served as the Chief of Chaplain Service at the St. Louis VA Medical Center for over thirty years, working with Veterans dealing with PTSD, moral injury, mental health issues and addiction. Certified in Spiritual Direction by the Siena Center’s Spiritual Guidance Training Program, Robby’s approach is inclusive, welcoming those from all walks of life. His mission as a spiritual director is “to offer to walk with individuals, open to the Spirit, listening with my heart, discerning with my mind, raising their awareness of how the Sacred is manifested in their lives and how they may choose to respond.”

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 addition to offering individual spiritual direction, 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.

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.

Joyce is a graduate of the North Carolina Institute of Spiritual Direction and Formation and of the End-of-Life Doula Certificate program of the University of Vermont. She also completed the certification program for Spiritual Formation with The United Methodist Church through Garrett Theological Seminary. She has her MDiv degree from Duke Divinity School and her MA in Counseling from West Virginia University. She is an ordained deacon in The UMC and has served in the areas of spiritual formation and pastoral care. She believes that the purpose of spiritual direction is to walk with those who seek to discover and understand their place in this world, especially in regards to their relationship with God and God’s purposes, and to be a conduit of the Holy Spirit as She (the Spirit) offers guidance and support to the seeker. Joyce has experience working with those in the LGBTQ+ community. Her understanding of God is summed up in two words: Love and Life.

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.

I have led retreats locally. I completed my Spiritual Direction training through Columbia Theological Seminary (Decatur, GA) in December 2022.

B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, an M.S. in Toxicology, and a Master of Arts-Spiritual Formation from Ashland Theological Seminary. Completed a two-year graduate training/certification program at the Ignatian Spirituality Institute, John Carroll University (2006). Provide spiritual direction (individual and group, including Ignatian Spiritual Exercises) and retreat leadership. Completed all degree requirements, except dissertation, for a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Formation at Ashland Theological Seminary. Member of the Order of Saint Luke, a dispersed order committed to the sacramental life. Oblate of St. Benedict (Mt. Saint Benedict Monastery, Erie, PA). In 2020, retired from episcopal appointment as a part-time local pastor by the East Ohio Conference of the UMC. Served as pastor of the Nova Community UMC (Nova, Ohio), 13 years. Retired from 35+ year career as a board-certified industrial toxicologist (2013). Hold black belts and teaching status in multiple martial arts.

B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, an M.S. in Toxicology, and a Master of Arts-Spiritual Formation from Ashland Theological Seminary. Completed a two-year graduate training/certification program at the Ignatian Spirituality Institute, John Carroll University (2006). Provide spiritual direction (individual and group, including Ignatian Spiritual Exercises) and retreat leadership. Completed all degree requirements, except the dissertation, for a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Formation at Ashland Theological Seminary. Member of the Order of Saint Luke, a dispersed order committed to the sacramental life. Oblate of St. Benedict (Mt. Saint Benedict Monastery, Erie, PA). In 2020, retired from an episcopal appointment as a part-time local pastor by the East Ohio Conference of the UMC. Served as pastor of the Nova Community UMC (Nova, Ohio), 13 years. Retired from 35+ year career as a board-certified industrial toxicologist (2013). Hold black belts and teaching status in multiple martial arts

KHRIS FORD is a spiritual director and retreat leader with 30+ years experience. I am passionate about the transformative experience of grief and appreciate the opportunity to companion those who are on this journey. I also love working with those who are discerning a call to ministry, ordained and lay ministry. Creating and holding space for Spirit to work, walking along side as the wisdom within is discovered ---such sacred work! I am also the Founder and Co-director of the North Carolina Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation. I work in-person or on zoom.
[email protected], 512-923-4690, Holly Springs, NC

I specialize in individualized spiritual direction with an interest in groups. My faith tradition is Methodist, and I have received training in spiritual direction from the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, Mi and the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana.

I am a Spiritual Director providing one on one direction both in person and on Zoom. I also plan and facilitate retreats in the US, Ireland and the UK. I especially love contemplative practices like Centering Prayer and lectio divina, as well as using great books to connect with others.

As a "Martha" in our fast-paced world, I long for "Mary" moments when I am able to slow down, sit at the feet of Jesus and simply spend time with God on purpose. Through individual spiritual direction and small group retreats, I encourage "spiritual speed bumps" that help us slow down on our journey through life. My special areas of interest include sacred silence, the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, reflections on Jonah, and lessons from the life of St. Hildegard of Bingen. I am the author of Praying with Mandalas: A Colorful, Contemplative Practice and Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent published by Upper Room Books. I have found that the spiritual practice of contemplative coloring brings focus, joy and depth to my time of prayer.