My Story
I grew up in an unchurched family in Madison, Wisconsin. In junior high, we got involved in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal faith that emphasizes freedom of belief, ethical values and respect for all world religions. Unitarian Universalism was my formal religious affiliation up through my mid-thirties. I studied religion, women studies and philosophy in college and served in the Unitarian Universalist ministry from 1985-1991. My conversion to Christianity was a gradual process which took place over a number of years. From1997-2021, I served as a United Methodist pastor in Wisconsin.
I am now active in a LGBTQ-inclusive congregation in Baraboo, Wisconsin where I live. I am a married person, a mother and grandmother. My other interests include climate change activism in my local community and exploring the sacred feminine — in particular the Black Madonna. Spiritual direction has been a great blessing to me over the years (see below). I am now offering that gift to others. In July 2023, I completed the three-year Spiritual Direction Preparation Program through the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
That’s a bit about who I am. But what matters is your journey, not mine. Wherever you’ve been, wherever you are going, wherever you are right now in our spiritual life, I am ready to be your spiritual companion as you follow the path to greater integrity, authenticity, and inner wisdom.
What Spiritual Direction Has Meant to Me
Each spiritual director I have had over the years has created a sacred space for me to talk about whatever was going on in my life. I could laugh, cry and say out loud things I knew would go no farther than the room. Just by allowing me to speak my truth, often I found healing from past hurts. At other times I just got things off my chest, which was good in and of itself. My spiritual directors all operated from the premise that the Holy One was at work in my life and together we listened for where God was present. Through their presence, and mutual trust we developed over time, God’s will for my life and my desires were brought into closer alignment.
My Commitment to You
I will do my work responsibly. I belong to Spiritual Directors International, a professional organization dedicated to maintaining excellence and accountability among spiritual directors and am committed to living by their code of ethics.
I will honor your beliefs. This will begin with learning where you have been on your spiritual journey. Early on in our time together, I’ll invite you to share with me what your past and religious affiliations have been (if any), what kind of spiritual beliefs you currently hold, and if you regularly engage in faith practices such as prayer, participation in a faith community, walking in nature, meditation, journaling, etc. (or if you are curious to learn about any of these). Talking through these questions will help me get to know you better.
I will respect who you are. I welcome and seek to work with people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
I will acknowledge my limits. I believe spiritual companioning/spiritual direction is a sacred trust. If for some reason you find you are not able to trust me, then I’m not the person to be your spiritual companion. And, if for any reason I cannot trust I am a good fit to be of help to you, I will refer you to other spiritual directors/spiritual companions who might be of help to you. Neither of these situations is a value judgement about the other person, but simply an acknowledgement that no one “can be all things to all people.”