Directory
Connecticut
Brian Barclay
Ashford, CT
860.942.6550 | bbarclay03@gmail.com
I love helping people move towards wholeness in Christ. My 15+ years of vocational ministry experience in campus, church and outdoor settings is enriched with spiritual direction training from Leadership Transformations’ Selah program. This allows me to minister through: spiritual direction for individuals and groups, creative retreats, and outdoor adventure experiences. People from a wide range of faith backgrounds and life experiences have reflected that it is easy to talk openly with me. Contributing member of the eNE Guidance Team.
Bob Japenga
Avon, CT
860.478.0562 | rjapenga@mtiemail.com
I worked in the engineering field for 45 years before retiring. In 1988, with my best friend, I started a small embedded software engineering company whose primary mission was to make disciples. I have found that helping individuals and groups to become attentive to the Holy Spirit is the best method for growing disciples of Jesus. Spiritual Direction is a key component of that. With my wife Barbara, we lead the Listening to God Ministry in Avon, Connecticut (ListeningToGod.org).
Maine
Candy Anderson
Peaks Island, ME
860.402.7795 | candy@candyanderson.com
Are you looking for space to slow down and notice what is happening in the deepest parts of who you are? One of my greatest, sacred and holy moments is to listen deeply to the stories of others and search for invitations from God in the everydayness of life. I’d love to companion with you in your journey to wholeness of Life as you discover more who you were created to be and live into that more fully. My passion is to see you experience a deeper relationship with the Creator, Savior and Lover of your soul.
Will Truesdell
Wiscasset ME
207.380.7601 | will.truesdell@intervarsity.org
For the past 30+ years I have served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in New England. It has been a joy to come alongside students and others from all walks of life. My current role is to serve the spiritual formation needs of our staff. I love to journey with others as they seek to know themselves and know God more in ways that bring transformation.
I live on the beautiful coast of Maine with my wife of 26 years, 15-year old daughter and 7-year old son. Some of my interests include surfing, hiking, astronomy, and exploring new places.
I completed the Selah training for Spiritual Direction, and have a Masters in Spiritual Formation from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
Patricia Mitchell
Wells, ME
508.954.2431 | patrish11@gmail.com
I earned a certificate in Women’s Ministries at the Boston campus of GCTS, and was ordained a Chaplain at New England Chapel in Franklin, Ma., in 2000. I received my certificate in Spiritual Direction through Marie Joseph’s Mercy Center in Biddeford, Maine, in 2002. I am passionate for women in recovery from life’s bumps and bruises surrendering to Christ as Higher Power. I am presently available for spiritual direction, leading retreats, and group direction in both Maine (Wells) and Mass. (Franklin).
Massachusetts
Amy Alves
Oxford, MA
207.356.1806 | amy@fullerlifespiritualdirection.com
Throughout my life, getting to know God and listening to others has been a part of who I am. I have a background in Life Coaching through the AACC and also enjoyed going through Selah, a two year spiritual direction certificate program through Leadership Transformations. It's a joy for me to companion people on their personal journey with Jesus; watching and responding to His loving invitations! When I'm not providing spiritual direction I love savoring quality ice cream, being out in nature, and spending time with my husband and four beautiful children.
Jeanine Birdsall
Hamilton, MA
978.468.2626 | jeanine.birdsall@gmail.com
Spiritual direction is a way for me to share the hospitality of a quiet place for reflection and restoration in God’s presence. I look to Christ Jesus for guidance from his Holy Spirit and to the Bible to shape spiritual conversation and prayer. I served as a missionary in Asia with my husband of 39 years and raised our 3 children overseas; thus I have special interest in the issues that arise in cross-cultural living and work. I have degrees from Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and was trained in spiritual direction through the Listen course created by Andrea Bliss-Lerman.
Stan Bohall
South Hadley, MA
508.410.9008 | s.bohall@verizon.net
For over forty years I have worked with individuals and groups, helping them develop short and long-range plans, build teams, and achieve goals. As a pastor, I developed people and organizations through teaching, preaching, organizing, writing, motivating, and listening. I have a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell. I began offering spiritual direction in 2010 while working on Leadership Transformations’ Selah Program. I completed the program in 2012. I have a keen interest in the arts, especially the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. My wife, Judi, and I live in Quincy, MA. We have two married sons and five grandchildren.
Elizabeth Cartier
Hopkinton, MA
508.572.9934 | elizprayer@gmail.com
Spiritual Director and Co-leader at The Sanctuary at Woodville. I have been involved in many forms of prayer for 30 years. I am certificated through Sustainable Faith; School of Spiritual Direction. My desire is to journey alongside others in life, to listen to their stories, to pray with them, and to help them notice God in their lives. To have a safe place to share one's life is a gift from God that I love to be about. I use a verity of spiritual practices, music and the arts in my spiritual direction.
Wendy Dixon
Manchester, MA
978.526.4795 | wendenn@gmail.com
Trained through the Spiritual Directors Internship Initiative program, I have been offering spiritual direction since 2005. In the peace, calm and safety of our sessions, we reflect on your relationship with God. How has God been moving to heal you, help you, love you, guide you? In the weeks between our sessions, you are likely to notice God’s presence and invitations to you more and more. As an ordained priest in the Anglican Diocese in New England, I am evangelical, liturgical, and charismatic. I am available to lead retreats on how to “dialogue with God” using various art materials, nature walks and journaling.
John French
Rockport, MA
781.438.1971 | french_john@verizon.net
For the last 20 years I have been offering individual and group spiritual direction. Recently retired from pastoral ministry after 40 years, I continue to offer ministries of retreats, spiritual formation companionship, spiritual direction and facilitation of spiritual formation groups. Currently I am on the faculty and a supervisor of interns with Selah, a spiritual direction training program of LTi. I live with my wife in Rockport MA. When not working, I enjoy gardening, biking or walking the beautiful Rockport shore. M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Spiritual Direction Certificate, Shalem Institute. Contributing member of eNE Guidance Team.
Roselle Heckendorn
Andover, MA
978.475.9500 ext 104 | rheckendorn@freechristian.org
I serve as the Prayer and Outreach Minister at Free Christian Church, and have been meeting with women for Spiritual Direction since 2010. I trained with Andrea Lerman and now meet with women in my office at the church. My vision for Spiritual Direction flows out of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and I seek to offer a safe space, for people to share the things of God and listen to what the Holy Spirit might say to them. I live in Andover with my husband David and three children.
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Jenna Higgins
Magnolia /Gloucester, MA
617.901.5920 | magnoliaartandsoul@gmail.com
Trained in Art and Ignatian Inspired Spiritual Direction, I journey with people to explore, contemplate, and listen for the places where God is moving. We explore creative ways to listen to Gods small voice as the Holy Spirit leads our Holy Conversations. Located in Magnolia, a section of Gloucester, the ocean is a great backdrop to engage the senses as we explore God with us. I have been trained by the Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative Program and Studied at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and I am a big fan of St. Francis and Clare of Assisi. I am available for Art led directed retreats in addition to Spiritual Direction both in person and online.
James Knight
Uxbridge, MA
508.579.3719 | knightjd34@gmail.com
What I love about Spiritual Direction is the opportunity to companion with others as they desire to encounter Jesus’ love in transformative ways. I desire to be a presence that opens the door for others to meet with and hear from the Holy Spirit, the true Spiritual Director of our lives. I have the joy of ministering as the Care Pastor at Faith Fellowship Church in Uxbridge, MA and at home as a husband and father of two young boys. My training includes a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Zion Bible College, a Masters of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary with a concentration in Spiritual Formation, and the completion of a two-year training cohort in Spiritual Direction through The PAX Center of Spiritual Formation.
Elizabeth Lelievre
Greater Boston, MA
elizabeth.lelievre@intervarsity.org
It is a privilege to accompany people as they attend to their life with God, Christ's work, and the Holy Spirit's leading and then discover greater freedom, peace, and joy! After seminary at Gordon-Conwell, I served as a campus minister for several years. I later pursued a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the PAX Center for Christian Spiritual Formation. I currently work as a minister of spiritual formation for Intervarsity New England. A few areas that I am passionate about include emotional/mental health, preventing ministry burnout, and being part of a global, diverse Church. I have a special place in my heart for cross-cultural workers and those experiencing burnout in ministry. I am available to lead retreats and offer spiritual direction in person or online.
Judy Pierce
Lexington, MA
781.862.8351 x148 | judithpierce@comcast.net
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Bobbie Sargent
Arlington, MA
I have experienced the joys and frustrations of ministry and benefited so much from spiritual direction myself. I want to pass that on by helping other Christians draw closer and develop their ability to listen to God, so they can increasingly live lives centered on and responsive to the One who knows and loves them best. I completed direction training through PAX, have my Masters in Spiritual Formation, and have training and experience in healing prayer. Married with three young adult children, I enjoy backpacking and other outdoor activities, travelling, and music. Also accepting some directees in Vermont.
Susan Skillen
Amesbury, MA
I am an Anglican priest and Canon (assistant to the bishop) for Spiritual Formation for the Anglican Diocese in New England, offices in Amesbury, MA. I meet with individual directees, as well as teach a two-year spiritual director training program. My own training was completed at the Shalem Institute in 1996. I have an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Seminary. With my husband and our four daughters I lived for seven years in Orvieto, Italy. Over the past twelve I have been bringing spiritual direction retreat groups to Italy, focusing on saints of the Umbria region, including Francis, Clare and Benedict.
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Charles Sutton
Uxbrigde, MA
I have been engaged in ministry to individuals since I became a college student in 1965 and joined IVCF. I studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary & Virginia Theological Seminary. I served four parishes in the Episcopal Church, from 1982-2009. In every year since I was graduated from college, I have had at least one person whom I was mentoring as a growing Christian. Upon retirement I joined the Anglican Church of North America in order to be in a Bible and Christ centered denomination. I was trained in spiritual direction through a two-year program (under Rev. Susan Skillen) of the Anglican Diocese in New England. My wife, Mary, and I have two married children and seven grandchildren.
Rama Ziegenhals
Essex, MA
I received my certificate in spiritual direction in 2006 through the Listen Course. I offer direction in Essex and Cambridge. I value direction as a place of prayerful listening in the context of a welcoming and nurturing environment. My heart is eager to draw attention to Godʼs transforming love for you, and to invite you to give voice to those experiences that draw you into a conscious intimacy with God. I received my Masters in Spiritual Formation from Spring Arbor University and I am the Founder of PAX Center for Christian Spiritual Formation (www.paxcenter.org). I am married with two daughters.
Deb Bellevue
Bridgewater, MA
774.688.1863 | debbellevue91@gmail.com
Deb provides Spiritual Direction at “THE WELL… A Center For Hope and Healing” in Bridgewater, MA. She is the pastor of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at South Shore Community Church and is certified in Spiritual Direction through Leadership Transformations’ Selah Program. Deb also leads directed silent retreats. Her quiet, powerful, and caring ministry of love continues to bring hope and healing to people as they connect with Jesus. Receiving and offering spiritual direction has been life-transforming for her.
Andrea Bliss-Lerman
Andover, MA
978.475.0700 | andrea.b-l@comcast.net
Serving as the Minister of Spiritual Direction at Free Christian Church in Andover, Ma, has been a gift of grace for me. I started offering spiritual direction in 1990 and completed the Shalem Program of Spiritual Guidance in 1993. I continue to meet with many people for individual direction. I developed and taught a spiritual direction training program entitled, Listen: Training in Christian Spiritual Direction. I am also a guest contributor of contemplative prayer in other spiritual direction training programs. In addition, I have been privileged to be involved in ministry that companions spiritual direction with juvenile justice.
Christie Borthwick
Lexington, MA
Laurel Coolbaugh
Shrewsbury/Woodville, MA
774.270.0516 | laurel.coolbaugh@gmail.com
Being a Pastor and a Spiritual Director fit together like a hand and glove, helping others to grow both in their knowledge and experience of God. By God’s grace, I have been a practicing director for 11 years, (including accompanying people through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises). I have earned a Doctorate from GCTS and a certificate from the Selah School of Spiritual Direction. I am happy to meet with people in person or via Skype/FaceTime. I am also available to lead group spiritual direction and retreats. Contributing member of eNE Guidance Team.
Jennifer Drummond
South Hamilton, MA
978.290.2234 | jadrummond@gmail.com
It is a privilege to companion someone, and witness God’s presence in their life; whether it’s a joyful “aha” moment, or deep and silent pondering in pain, God reveals himself in mysterious and beautiful ways. I have received spiritual direction since 2010, and completed my training in 2015 through the Holy Conversations course, in the Anglican Diocese in New England. I offer direction in Hamilton (and surrounding towns). I’m married and have two school-aged children. Contributing member of eNE Guidance Team.
Kat Gundersen
Wayland, MA
508-277-9953 | kgundersen@comcast.net
After many years serving on the prayer teams and as a Women’s minister in various churches, I completed a two-year Spiritual Direction training through the PAX Center for Spiritual Formation. I thoroughly enjoy walking alongside men and women who want to go further in their walk with God. My desire is to provide others with a safe space to listen to their hearts’ desires, hear from the Holy Spirit and grow in their spiritual formation.
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Kate Hemenway
Lowell, MA
Having lost faith and 25 years later finding Christ again, I also discovered the beauty of prayer, personal conversations and silence with him. To accomplish my need for deep communion with Christ, I studied Spiritual Direction with the Sisters of St. Francis, in Lowell, where I also live. This was invaluable for my search. I am Evangelical and a member of Grace Chapel where I co-facilitate several Spiritual Direction groups, serve as a Stephen Minister and as a small-group leader at Grace’s Women’s Bible studies. I also minister in prison, and have served in homeless outreach.
Juliette Kerr
Plymouth, MA
562.208.0422 | juliette@theroseandpoppy.com | www.theroseandpoppy.com
My hope in spiritual direction is to create and nurture sacred space in order to journey with you into deeper experiential encounters with the Lord. As we pray together, enter into silence or reflect, I offer a welcoming presence where we notice and pay attention to the workings of the Holy Spirit in your life. I hold an M.A. in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and have been trained in Selah Contemplative Spiritual Direction. Along with individual Spiritual Direction, I also offer Group Spiritual Direction, Lectio Divina sessions, and Soul Care Mini Retreats. For fun, I like to walk my dogs Grace & George with my husband, Scott.
Jennifer Layte
Worcester, MA
jenniferlayte@the-pilgrimage.org
After ministering to refugees in London, UK, and as a Christian Education Director in Worcester, I’m honored to find a vocational home in spiritual direction and the pastorate. I am the part-time settled pastor of Central Baptist Church, Southbridge, and founder and director of The Pilgrimage, an online spiritual direction and formation ministry. Through the Pilgrimage, I provide group spiritual formation classes and individual spiritual direction. I have a particular interest in being a listening ear for those wrestling with their place in the American church and/or on the verge or in process of spiritual deconstruction. I offer spiritual direction via Zoom or FaceTime.
Leslea Linebarger
Southborough, MA and online
“Take off your shoes, for this is holy ground.” This is how it feels in direction as I walk alongside others and watch them discover that God has been present with them all along. Even pain and doubt can be redeemed as we let God weave our messy threads into something of beauty. I earned my certificate in spiritual direction in 2013 from LTi's Selah Program. I enjoy spending time in nature, cooking, and singing in the choir at St. Mark’s Episcopal in Southborough, where I offer direction. I am married with three adult children and a grandson, with whom I enjoy doing anything or nothing at all. I offer direction online, as well as guided contemplative retreats. See more at www.lifeinabody.wordpress.com. Contributing member of eNE Guidance Team.
Susan Porterfield Currie
Hamilton, MA
978.468.1817 | sue@leadershiptransformations.org
I value spiritual direction as a ministry of spacious hospitality—graced in time, in place, in heart and soul, and in the loving presence of our Trinitarian God. I have been offering direction and leading retreats for over 20 years, and in the past several years I’ve enjoyed training others to do the same through Leadership Transformations’ Selah Program. I have a particular heart for working with ministry leaders, and for encouraging the place of direction in the wider supportive context of the ministry of the local church. My own training was through CFDM’s Pacific Northwest program.
Susan Scott
Maynard, MA
I have been fascinated by people’s God stories since childhood, and delight in hearing them and looking with others for the fingerprints of God on their lives. I received my training as a spiritual director from School of Spiritual Direction (Sustainable Faith) and am also an ordained minister, serving a church in Boston’s western suburbs. I received my M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I am happy to meet with people in person or via Skype.
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Jeremy Stefano
Holden, MA
* Not accepting new directees, but may be available for leading retreats.
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Dot Tolls
Belmont, MA
617.230.6431| thirtyfeetofgratitude@gmail.com
I have spent over thirty years in the healthcare industry, as a clinician and an educator, a leader and a subordinate, and am a wife and a parent of two young adults on the autism spectrum. Yet God has led me to walk alongside others in His name through Spiritual Guides Ministry and through my certification in Spiritual Direction at the PAX Center. I am involved in disability ministry and have a special heart for those experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families but joyfully work with any whom God has called. As a spiritual companion I want you to experience God’s grace more deeply as He works in and through you, in all of your conditions and all of your days.
New Hampshire
Bryan Larson
Salem, NH
603.434.8583 | bryanlarson@comcast.net
I am privileged to pastor in Salem,NH. I’ve been practicing spiritual direction for three years, and it has changed my life. I was trained by Dave Nixon at Sustainable Faith, School of SD and Wendy Miller at Gateways to God SD Training, Andover, MA. Being a pastor and spiritual director are the two sides of my “ministry coin.” I enjoy both aspects of ministry so much, however companioning people in SD is such a blessing and leaves me impassioned to continue. I’m happily married to Natalie and the proud father of three adult children!
Shirley Paz
Haverhill, MA
603.329.8047 | shirley@westchurch.org
I believe that spiritual direction is far more than an "add-on" in the spiritual journey. It can be one of the most vital sacred spaces we have to encounter both the Spirit and ourselves. I am constantly humbled and stirred by the insights and deep love of God that come as a result of walking with the Spirit in a directed life. Certified as a Spiritual Director through Leadership Transformation's Selah Program in 2011, I have served on pastoral staff at West Church in Haverhill, MA since 2007, as the Director of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, and now as Associate Pastor. I also serve on the Board for The Pax Center, and have been part of their teaching team. In my ministry of spiritual direction, I see directees from both MA and southern NH, am trained in the enneagram, and often journey with church leaders. My joys in life, beside offering spiritual direction, are my family relationships, quiet spaces in nature, reading and writing.
Nancy Hale Cummings
Nashua, NH
978.944.7410 | nancypatc@gmail.com
I love Jesus. I love God’s written Word. My desire is to walk alongside those who don’t know what questions to ask but are learning it’s ok to ask them. The truth of God’s Word and the riches of His Spirit blend to provide a place to call home, where we know we are loved unconditionally. I will sit alongside people as they take time to quiet their hearts, learn to listen, and respond to the One who loves them so.
Certified through PAX Center for Christian Spiritual Formation in Essex, Massachusetts, I’m available for individuals and groups.
Natalie Larson
Salem, NH
603.434.8583 | pastornat@comcast.net
I have been practicing Spiritual Direction since 2011. I received my training through Sustainable Faith Ministries and Gateways to God. I am the founder and Executive Director of Soulsafe, a ministry that teaches about the effects of dramatic stress and ways to mitigate the symptoms that accompany a traumatic event. My Spiritual Direction practice allows me to meet with people who are experiencing a “dark night of the soul” without judgment or discomfort and help them to experience the light that Christ brings into our darkest places with his presence.
Outside New England
Meg Howard
Puerto Rico and Online
617.605.1152 | meghoward415@gmail.com
I received my training in the art of spiritual direction through the Selah Certificate Program. My background is in education, business and ministry. In spiritual direction, God meets us in wonderful ways as we faithfully seek the Holy Spirit’s leading for our lives. Sensing God’s leading and direction is enlivening! I look forward to companioning you on this Christ-centered journey of faith. I meet with directees in-person or on-line. I also offer group spiritual direction and am delighted to facilitate retreats. I am married and have two grown sons. I worked for 3 summers in Africa, have lived in Spain, Boston, and now live in Puerto Rico.
Carrie Schuliger
Vancouver, BC and Online
I have walked with God since I was a child and am delighted to walk with others as they journey with God. Hospitality, simplicity and contemplative prayer characterize my practice. I hold a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation from Carey Theological College and have completed LTi’s Selah program. I offer individual and group spiritual direction, lead contemplative retreats and enjoy working with church leadership teams. I meet directees in person and via video chat applications. I am married, have three children and enjoy long walks, music and, if I could have only one devotional practice, it would be lectio divina.