When I was a child, I was often found immersed in the natural world and completely engaged. That path of curiosity and connection to nature has not altered but has only expanded. I not only wanted to be in wild places but share that sense of raw power, tranquility and connection with it with others. I sense that my truest self communicates with the Creator best when I am in a natural setting. I pursued careers teaching environmental education to youth and as a Park Ranger in a variety of National Parks.
The practice of silence, alone or with others, as well as the skill of deep listening and reflection were first experienced when in nature but have found residence in my daily living through contemplative practices. I yearned for a way to bring my traditional church values and history alongside what I experienced in nature but did not have the exposure or language until my first year of seminary. I thought I would find a way into deeper fellowship with God by attending seminary but what I realized is that I was seeking soul connection, not head connection. I completed my Masters in Theological Studies in 2012. It was in seminary that I took an introduction to Spiritual Direction course and was exposed to practices that seemed innate to me. When I became involved in the then new Journey Center back in 2008, I finally entered into a community of like-minded people who were on a spiritual quest for more… more connection, more Spirit, more experience of God, more love. I had found my tribe.
After completing the first 2-year course in Spiritual Direction offered via the Journey Center (JC) in 2010, I became a member of the Spiritual Direction team and a member of the JC board. In 2011 I joined the team of facilitators who work with the students in the Spiritual Direction Formation Program. I enjoy leading retreats, workshops and backpacking trips through the Journey Center as well as offer 1:1 spiritual direction. I practice a contemplative, incarnational mode of spiritual direction described as “enabling a person (the directee) to: pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her; respond to this personally communicating God; grow in intimacy with this God; and live out the consequences of the relationship.” – Sue Pickering
Please call the Journey Center office at 707-578-2121 to inquire about an appointment.