Spiritual Direction

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Shalem Institute to be offering spiritual direction sessions the week of the conference. We have 50 sessions available on a first come basis, so please be on the lookout for the sign up link which we plan to send the week before the conference. More information about the spiritual guides is below.

Ani Vidrine

Rev. Dr. Ani Vidrine, LCSW serves as an educator, interfaith minister, mentor, support group leader, and spiritual director, has taught yoga for 29 years, and is on staff at The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Ani’s research for her Ph.D. studies in Integral & Transpersonal Psychology focused on the Enneagram Personality Typology System and self-transcendence.

Glenda Hollingshead

Glenda is a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) with a doctorate in Christian Spirituality. She is a writer, spiritual director, Reiki practitioner, and retreat leader who is passionate about all things that lead to a deeper relationship with The Holy.

Heather Strang

Heather is a spiritual companion, a wife, and a mother of two adult offspring. As a former teacher and professional chef, she delights in the creative spark and process of working collaboratively on staff at The Retreat House on the eastern shore of Maryland. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Maryland, and Shalem Institute’s Spiritual Guidance Program. She is an Episcopalian and active in lay leadership, co-leading a small contemplative spiritual community and serving as a minister of healing prayer and anointing. Heather and her husband live in Annapolis, Maryland.

Kathleen T. Talvacchia

Kathleen T. Talvacchia (she/her), currently an affiliated scholar at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and a Staff Consultant at LeaderWise, is a queer contextual theologian, scholar, conflict mediator and spiritual director trained in the contemplative tradition from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Her writings in queer theology center the Christian practices and ethics of marginalized communities. Kathy is passionate about partnering with others through the work of learning, spiritual discernment, and relationship building in diverse contexts. She identifies as a queer, cis-gender, Italian American progressive Catholic woman.

Laura Neal

Laura is an Artist, Contemplative Inter-Spiritual Companion, Retreat Leader and credentialed Executive Coach. Learn more about Laura at www.betheleafcoaching.com/

Phillip Stephens

Phillip Stephens, Director of the Nurturing the Call: Spiritual Guidance Program, is an Episcopal lay-person and graduate of the 2006 Spiritual Guidance Class. In addition to being an associate of the Order of the Holy Cross, he serves as a spiritual guide and retreat facilitator. He is interested in cross-cultural studies and inter-spirituality.

Todd Spencer

Hello! As Richard Rohr and Julian of Norwich have said, everything belongs. And what a mystery that is — both beautiful and scary! Part of what spiritual direction is about is simply noticing and beholding that mystery, and The Mystery, in all of the bends of life’s river — even when the river seemly dries up. I have enjoyed providing spiritual direction for 20 years now. My training was with the Shalem Institute, which was life-changing. I have my own practice, which includes spiritual direction, leadership coaching and retreat leading called Headwaters of Hope (headwatersofhope.org). Before founding Headwaters, I served for over 30 years in local church ministry in the United Methodist Church— in both youth ministry and adult spiritual formation — while offering spiritual direction on the side for most of those years. My wife Debi and I have been married 27 years and we have two adult sons, Lukas and Ethan. I enjoy fly fishing, hiking, reading, singing, strong black coffee and oaky red wines! I would consider it an honor to walk with you and help you notice God’s flowing presence in your life right now. Everything belongs?