Overlook Directions
Hello
As a contemplative person, I find significance and meaning in ordinary things, and see beauty in ordinary people. My own spiritual work has involved integrating my spirituality, faith, and life experiences with artistic expression such as writing and dance. All this comes into play with my practice as a spiritual director and retreat leader. My family and I reside in central New Jersey. My husband is a photographer who is compelled to capture the play of light on landscapes, while I find the light found in relationships between people most compelling. Our family includes young adult "children" who have goals of serving the common good. Like many families in this pandemic time, we find solace in friends as well as Sebastian the cat, and Baker the dog….both came to our house to help us find our way through each day.
My Story
While serving as a chaplain for patients, families, staff and volunteers in medical and hospice settings, I obtained a certificate in Spiritual Direction and completed an additional year of study with Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development to deeply root my own practice. Since then, I have maintained my practice of direction while serving in various roles in congregational ministry, including pastoral care with a focus upon the spirituality of aging. I developed programming highlighting experience of the arts to engage older adults and build community. My most recent role, Transitional Pastor and Head of Staff for a church recently “blended” from two congregations, afforded me opportunity to walk with church leaders and emerging leaders through significant organizational change.
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My approach to Spiritual Direction recognizes the spiritual invitations which life presents to faith communities, and individuals alike. As a spiritual director, I listen closely to narratives people share with me, facilitating meaning and creating resiliency for transversing times of transition, including addressing the challenge of loss and grief, as well as appreciating and integrating peak experiences of Presence and transcendence. My methods of direction draw upon mindfulness practices and spiritual teachings manifested in world religions, including the Christian spiritual practice of Centering Prayer.
