Profile: Leadership is a naturally healing system both in the social world and in the leader's private life. When healing does not occur leadership is not optimal. I help leaders from a wide range of backgrounds work with the Force that is acting upon their lives. Through spiritual direction, methods of narrative healing, and leadership learning at the Inner Life Leadership Institute, leaders are able to: -Articulate a personal higher purpose. -Direct the power of life narrative toward healing. -Amplify the voice of inner intelligence. -Discover new approaches for making meaning of the public-private distinction of leadership life. -Identify when the leadership condition is in a state of impasse or illness.

Profile: An African Zambian born. Currently a missionary in the Philippines as Novice Directress. Partially trained Spiritual Directress, and Psychotherapist in model of global sexuality.

Profile: I am an ordained OneSpirit Minister based in Dublin, Ireland, the Costa Brava, Spain and available Internationally online. In my role as a minister, I offer ceremonies, Weddings, Funerals, Baby Blessings, Young men's Rites of Passage, and 1-1- spiritual counselling. I have been working in personal and spiritual development for 25 years. I am a full member of The OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation (https://www.onespiritinterfaithministers.com/john-doherty) I am trained supervisor offering professional and work support to clients, ministers, and professionals for many years. My supervision work is cross-professional and offers a deeply reflective, reflexive and spiritual space to help clients explore, de-stress and grow in a professional capacity. I am a full member of The Supervisory Association of Ireland (https://saivision.ie/members-directory/) I am the Director of The Beehive School that offers Mindfulness Mysticism Teacher Training programs, Mindfulness retreats in Ireland and Spain and online courses and workshops. My wife and I have a Holistic centre near Alicante, Spain and offer 1-1 recovery retreats for people who need care, healing and recovery from illness or to recharge their energy.

Profile: My name is Leslie Jenal. I am a priest, a spiritual director, and a spiritual companion. I am here, wherever here is, to show you your spiritual opportunities and to point out your own path. I am called to contemplation and mysticism. I view God as the Spirit of infinite possibilities, as a mysterious force, personal, but recognizable in holy darkness. However, I do not impose my spirituality on anyone. I use my own spiritual work and practice, my spiritual depth, to help you see where you are and where Love is leading you. ~~~~~~~~~~ I work with people who pray, people who do not pray, people who pray with images and people who pray contemplatively, people who read scriptures and those who do not, people who identify as religious or not, people who are spiritual and not religious, people whose spiritual life is not defined, people who are interfaith or multi faith, people who recovering from religious abuse or substance abuse, and people who attend religious services or do not. I will begin the journey with you as you are. Where you are is where you need to be at this place and time. ~~~~~~~~~~ You may call the Transcendent by many names or by no name. You may or may not believe in God, Allah, Yahweh, Source, Creator, Love, Goddess, Presence, the Great Am Who Am, Spirit, Being, Reality, the Divine, Love, Creator, Light, Father, Lord, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Brahman, Elohim, Mystery, Energy, Quantum Field, Person, or Trinity, or anything or nothing at all. You may “believe” or not believe, or your beliefs may be changing. You may have had a mystical experience, a vision, or a liminal dream and want to know what it means. I lean toward contemplation myself but if you pray with images, I connect with you. I connect with whoever you are and wherever you are. ~~~~~~~~~~ Personally, I think of the Trancendent as having no name, a Being beyond names, but here I use the terms God, Presence, Being, and Love. I do not impose my beliefs on anyone and I don't evangelize or proselytize. Your name, or no name, for the Transcendent may be different from my heart conception of the Transcendent. But I believe that all names for the Transcendent are like pointing a finger at the moon. We tend to look at the finger and not what the finger points to. Whatever the name, image, or heart concept, whatever your soul is speaking to you, whoever is speaking to you, I connect with you. ~~~~~~~~~~ Growing spirituality comes from recognizing your own path toward Peace, Presence, Love. I will help you see your own path, not mine. I have some gifts. First, I listen carefully. I hear what is said and not said. Everything I hear is confidential. Sometimes it is easier to share with a stranger who keeps secrets. Second, I have probably heard about every struggle in the last twenty years, and I doubt that you can surprise me. Religiously, I can provide the sacrament of confession and absolution. Third, I do not judge you or encroach on your vulnerability . I take you where you are because where you are is where you are supposed to be at this moment and in this place. I am peaceful and very kind and I hope that you can rest in holy silence with me. ~~~~~~~~~~ I’m the flashlight, but you already have the map. If you meet an obstacle, gate, invitation, gift, or door in your spiritual progress, I am there. I respect who you and where you are. I’m not so egoistic and narcissistic to believe or even want to make you into someone you are not. We all have our own path to God, and I am just a companion along the way. I can point to your own Light, your own being within Being, where Union is present already. ~~~~~~~~~~ My purpose as a spiritual director and soul companion is to support your own path to Union with God, a path glimmering through the holy darkness. No amount of pain or despair can alter the true, fundamental reality of our being. Our chaotic complexity – our desires, gifts, fears, anxieties, joys, pain, our level of spiritual maturity – is never broken because we are already in God. ~~~~~~~~~~ Holy desire often leads to connection with me. There is holiness in the liminal space, the darkness of suffering. Healing is so very close, a shining, luminous light in the darkness. I think of if God as holy darkness, as the God of all possibilities, the light you see when you close your eyes. Negative self-talk ends and we are held as a child in the arms of the Presence, listening to the soft voice of God. God did not cause our wounds, but God is in the deep peace of our being, grounding us, both underneath and in, our wounds. Our wounds and brokenness are held in Love and our suffering is always transformed into Light. It may take looking hard, but the Light is there. Healing is there. ~~~~~~~~~~ I work with persons of all religions and spiritual traditions, spiritual and not religious, interfaith, multifaith, or without belief. Persons of any or no gender, any sexual attraction, expression, or orientation, Trans and cisgender, seeking and questioning, however your being, gender, and sexuality express themselves, I believe that you are a holy child of God and perfect as you are. No one needs to be fixed. I am an alcoholic with decades of recovery, and I know that substance abuse is often a cry to God. Suffering is a trial by fire. Fire is both destructive and creative; it harms, tempers, and purifies our being. If you struggle with the use of any substance, I am here. ~~~~~~~~~~ I was a hospice chaplain for ten years and a hospital chaplain for ten years before that. I help the person who is dying to live a full life. I also help loved ones. I have attended hundreds of deaths. I have observed that most deaths are not scary, although traumatic deaths or deaths by those who do not want to be alive can leave a different kind of pain in their wake. However, death appears to be an invitation from God into which we surrender. There are, of course, all sorts of deaths and all sorts of grief, and I’m familiar with them. But there also is peace, memory, sacredness, tenderness, and even joy in dying and death. I can help you see where the healing is to be found. ~~~~~~~~~~ Whatever your race and ethnicity, mixed or not, your disability or able-bodiedness, whether you have documents or not, I own my white, cisgender, documented, and able-bodied privileges. I own my narrowness, my hypocrisy, and my bias. My blindness is deep down and not always conscious, but as a privileged person, I am at least evolved enough to know that I don’t experience your lived experience. We connect where we meet each other in God. God is in charge of the connection. Spiritual direction and soul companioning is really done by God. I’m only an instrument, a conduit for God’s love. I'm the flashlight. You already have the map. Whoever you are, I will love you. ~~~~~~~~~~ Finally, I am a death doula, a midwife to the dying and to those who grieve. I engage in dreamwork. I provide Christian, sacramental Catholic, Twelve Step, Spiritual Nonreligious, and Humanist services including blessings, and anointing. Please note that I keep a light touch and provide services only with consent. ~~~~~~~~~~ Ultimately, I want to be a clear pane of glass for God’s light through which God’s light can illuminate your way. Welcome.

Profile: Eden Spiritual Care is a non-profit organization that believes Christ-centered spiritual formation and growth opportunities are not a luxury for a small segment of society, but are essential for everyone. We offer free online growth classes, and spiritual direction and retreats on a pay-what-you-can basis. Current spiritual directors are Sierra Neiman Westbrook, MDiv, and Samantha Gilbertson, MA. Visit us online at www.edenspiritualcare.og.

Profile: On the Third Day (OTTD) - Renewal and Formation Center is an ecumenical ministry that provides spiritual accompaniment for those who want to seek God and desire to respond to His call. For almost a decade, OTTD has been offering spiritual direction and spiritual formation that have helped seekers in developing an intimate relationship with God. Our retreats are held at the Cherimoya Eco-Spirituality & Retreat Center in Calamba, Laguna. For more information about us and our programs, please visit www.spiritualformation.center

Profile: Welcome to the Spiritual Direction Certification Program (SDCP) at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) page! We are glad the Holy Spirit brought you here! Here, you can learn about spiritual direction, and our training program. WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION? Holy Listening - This is at the core of spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is listening to the nudging of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life, in companionship with another human being. The real and most genuine spiritual director is always the Holy Spirit. Discernment - This is the practice of prayerfully seeking how God is guiding us in life. As Saint Benedict states, it’s “listening with the ear of the heart to God’s purpose for our lives.” It is a practice that is cultivated through spiritual direction. Spiritual Direction lets us know if we are walking in the way that leads us more deeply into God’s love. In a world of so much suffering, along with so many possibilities, discernment is ever more important. It is knowing what is the next right step to take, that leads a person to God. To have a sense of clarity around “What is God calling in my life in this situation/question?” Community - This relationship takes place between the Holy Spirit, the directee, and director. It fosters an experience of holy community. Those receiving direction (directees) receive the grace of being held by another’s listening presence, and the presence of God. HOW DOES ONE BECOME A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR? Contemplative Life - In one sense, a person can become a Spiritual Director by nurturing a contemplative life. It is a practice of contemplation, in which one cultivates comfort with sitting in silence with God, and listening. Certification - In another sense, a person can complete a certification program like the one offered at LTSS. WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM IS OFFERED AT LTSS? Spiritual direction training in the Christian tradition is based in the work of the Holy Spirit. It has been practiced throughout church history, from the time of Jesus with his disciples until now. Our program offers an experience grounded in the Trinitarian faith. However, we recognize that there is deep spiritual wisdom in other faith traditions. We draw upon those traditions, and integrate them into a Christian perspective. WHAT DOES LTSS’S PROGRAM ENTAIL? Participating in four residential intensives, each January and June, for two years. The intensives always begin on a Wednesday at noon, and end on the following Saturday at noon. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 2021 intensive will be held completely online. We hope to return to residential intensives in June 2021, but that decision has not been made official. Each cycle consists of a cohort of 16 persons. Each cohort is split into two groups, and each group has its own mentor. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN INTENSIVES? Discerning and meeting regularly with a spiritual director, if you do not already have one Discerning a willing person to be your spiritual directee Worshipping experiences during the four intensives Learning from expert instructors in the spiritual life Reading key books and short reaction papers CYCLE 5 (2021-2022) INTENSIVE DATES: January 13-16, 2021 June TBD, 2021 January 5-8, 2022 June TBD, 2022 CYCLE 5 GROUP MENTORS: Angela Ford Nelson Herman Yoos CYCLE 5 INSTRUCTORS TBD CYCLE 5 COSTS: The total cost for the two-year cycle is $3,000, which includes tuition and meals during residential intensives. Most participants in the past have made four payments of $750. They would typically bring their payment to campus when they arrived for each residential intensive. Since the January 2021 intensive will be held completely online, we are unable to include meals. As a result, we are reducing the tuition cost by $88, which would bring the January ’21 payment down to just $662, and the total tuition cost would be $2,911. PROGRAM LOCATION The Spiritual Direction Certification Program is housed at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, which is located near downtown Columbia, South Carolina. INTENSIVE LODGING: Participants typically find their own lodging. A limited number of accommodations are available on the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary campus for $25/night. As January 2021’s intensive will be held online, housing arrangements are not necessary. SHOULD I APPLY TO THE PROGRAM AT LTSS? Everyone is Welcome to Apply - The primary purpose of this certification program is to train people who feel called to be a spiritual companion; however, those who have already been on the contemplative journey and who wish to deepen their own spiritual practices are also welcome. With spiritual discernment questions, contact the Spiritual Direction Certification Program Director, Dr. Melanie Dobson, at melanie.dobson@lr.edu or (919) 724-3557. With administrative/application completion questions, or to email application materials, contact the Academy for Faith and Leadership Registrar, Mrs. Ellen Girardeau, at (803) 461-3237 or ellen.girardeau@lr.edu.

Profile: Located in Indianapolis, IN, each learning cohort (8 to 12 participants) is trained in a classical approach to spiritual direction. Participants gather at the Abbey for five (two-day) intensives per year for two years. Year One provides a strong introduction to spiritual direction and is a year of discerning one’s calling to spiritual direction. Year Two is for those who feel called to offer spiritual direction (formally or informally) and provides more in-depth knowledge and skill-based training in the art of spiritual direction. Every intensive in Year One and Two is a combination of process and praxis. In addition, throughout this program strong focus is given to the deepening of each participant’s spiritual life and contemplative practice. A bonus are the lifelong friendships often forged through this small cohort experience! For more information or to request a syllabus, please contact Beth Booram at beth.booram@fallcreekabbey.org or visit our website at fallcreekabbey.org.

Profile: Spiritual Companion/Director, MorningStar Renewal Center – Retreat and Conference facilitator. Director of Spiritual Companionship Program, St. Thomas University – 3 year certificate program.

Profile: My definition of spiritual direction is to take a long, loving look at what is real (Presence), to seek freedom from bondage (tangles and knots), to savor and celebrate with the Holy, to discover a deeper meaning and purpose in life. Together we will listen, explore, and tend your relationship with the Holy. This spiritual work emerges from your image of God/Source/Breath as we encourage a developing language that is a natural expression of your relationship. Tending body, mind, and spirit, we will discover new life together. I work with individuals and groups in spiritual direction and in supervision of spiritual directors. Inviting the whole self to these sessions, I invite imagination and creativity with art, music, and written expression. My passion: accompanying individuals and groups in the spiritual walk. My training: MDIV and DMIN from SMU Perkins School of Theology, Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary, Supervision Training with Together in the Mystery. I am a co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson (Dallas), TX. I meet with individuals and small groups here. I also meet via telephone and video conference. You may visit my website for fees and booking information: https://prayingthelectionary.life/ With a grateful heart, Lil

Profile: 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.

Profile: We welcome you to explore the Self-care Institute at Golden Apple Healing Arts! In keeping with a 400-year-old nursing tradition of Gentle Medicine and caring companionship, the Self-Care Institute Ivy League was formed, those who would utilize the Elements of Care program to promote Self-care, caregiving, and nursing as a spiritual path of deep love and truth inspired by people and plants! The Self-care Institute provides sustainable programs, personalized consultation services, webinars, retreats, and resources that are always meaningful, mindful, and memorable! The Elements of Care training program incorporates healing traditions that have stood the test of time and innovations in pattern science to promote informed choices about Gentle Medicine Self-care with plants as partners that result in greater balance in body and peace of mind. Dr. Martha Libster, educator, psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, Herbal Diplomat, award-winning healthcare historian, and improvisational poet, is leading teams dedicated to the transformation of American, global healthcare, and climate change that begins with the elements of Self (with a capital S). To learn more visit us online www.Self-careInstitute.org

Profile: Julie O’Connor is a spiritual director providing individual and group spiritual direction, a retreat facilitator and a Certified Enneagram instructor and coach. She also develops programs and processes to prepare facilitators to lead formation and formative experiences. Julie joined Ascension in February of 2012 to lead the Foundations of Ministry Leadership Formation Program. Prior to joining Ascension, she served for 32 years at Saint Thomas Health in Nashville, TN including roles as Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Director of Mission, Ethics and Pastoral Care, Director of Transformational Leadership and Change Management and Vice President of Mission and Leadership Formation. Julie also served as Director of Adult Formation at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Her mission is to continue her own spiritual journey to wholeness in union with God and to assist others to grow into the fullness of who they were created to be as they awaken and respond to the unfolding path of their vocation. Julie is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Alabama. She received her MA in Pastoral Theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana. When not cheering for the Crimson Tide, Julie enjoys golf, kayaking, and walking in nature along with spiritual reading and porch pondering with a cup of tea.

Profile: Check our website: www.fscenter.org/content/spiritual-direction/spiritual-direction-preparation-program-sdpp - - - Since 1985, the staff at the Franciscan Spirituality Center has trained more than 500 people in the practice of spiritual direction. This innovative program provides a mix of workshops and real-life experiences to prepare individuals to move into their communities and jobs as trained spiritual directors. The Spiritual Directors Preparation Program (SDPP) extends over three years, giving participants an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. While SDPP prepares the participant to companion others regardless of their spirituality, this program teaches from the Judeo-Christian tradition. Applications for 2022 cohort will be available in late 2021. For more information: Contact Steve Spilde, Director SDPP: (608)791-5295. To view a video about our program: - - - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtwW_ESYA2I - - - To see a brochure from our most recent cohort: - - -https://www.fscenter.org/uploads/content_files/files/SDPP%20brochure.pdf

Profile: In addition to Pittsburgh, I am available through the West Virginia Institute for Spirituality in Charleston, West Virginia, where we offer training and ongoing supervision. www.wvInstituteforSpirituality.org