Spiritual Direction

What is this ancient practice called spiritual direction? How can it enhance and support your spiritual journey? Join us for this free workshop, facilitated by two of the Journey Center's spiritual directors to find out. Cost: Free

Linda Albert: Linda recently completed a two year training program in Spiritual Direction through the Center for Spiritual Direction in Chicago. She has been active in her own faith community as a retreat coordinator and speaker as well as a guide in contemplative prayer practices. Linda's first experience with spiritual direction was during a nine-month retreat in everyday life using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Living through her own dark night of the soul, Linda learned to notice the presence of God in unexpected ways and, over time, experienced a return of hope and deeper faith. It is her privilege and joy to companion others who are seeking a deeper relationship with God however they find themselves in relationship to God now … in crisis or confusion, in emptiness or in fullness and gratitude.

Dan Beach: Spiritual direction is another path to explore on your spiritual journey. It is not a solution to life’s problems but an invitation to deepen your relationship with The Holy. Dan Beach has been on the trail of walking with God for many years and now through the dynamic of Spiritual Direction extends this experience to those who would like to spend time listening with what God may be saying to you. Dan is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been working with people facing difficulties in their life since 1976 and was on the pastoral staff of a church for nine years. He loves getting to know people and practices patient and insightful listening to foster your desire to grow in spirituality.

Ruah Bull: Ruah discovered Spiritual Direction in 1996 when it helped her move through a challenging time of spiritual opening and healing. Her own journey has brought her to a gradual return to the contemplative/mystical dimension of Roman Catholicism, which she nurtures by taking frequent retreats in monastic settings. Ruah completed her training in Direction at Mercy Center in 2001, and has a particular interest in working with 'spiritual but not religious' folks who often do not have access to spiritual direction. She specializes in working with people on non-traditional paths, helping professionals, and people entering the contemplative journey. She works in a variety of ecumenical and interfaith settings, and is a certified trainer of Centering Prayer through Contemplative Outreach. Ruah's passion is to bring people from different traditions and practices together to share God's call to community, conversation and contemplation.

Helen Cepero: Helen currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska and joins us here in Santa Rosa throughout the year for for training intensives, special events and retreats. She is available for spiritual direction appointments while she is in town, and also leads workshops and retreats. Helen received her training at the Spiritual Director's Institute (Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA). Helen has worked in spiritual direction in a number of settings for over 20 years, including involvement with the Pastoral Care Commission of the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, the Center for AIDS Services in Oakland, CA and Kairos Prison Ministry at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, CA. She currently trains spiritual directors at the Mercy Center, Multnomah Biblical Seminary, the Center for Spiritual Direction, Chicago, IL. and the Journey Center (where she is the Program Director).

Julie Miller: Five years ago, Julie would have described her spiritual walk as mostly in her head and disconnected from her heart. She has felt God’s presence most acutely in the outdoors and has spent the majority of her life guiding and educating people in that setting. In 2006 she moved from Yosemite to Santa Rosa and has been on a transformative journey to embrace that Presence in her everyday life, no matter where she happens to be. Julie graduated from the two-year Spiritual Direction and Retreat Leadership program offered through the Journey Center and is completing a Masters in Theological Studies. She leads many of the Encountering God in Creation workshops and outings here at the Journey Center.

Dick Meyer: Born and raised Roman Catholic, Dick had a conversion encounter with Christ in his early 20’s, sold all to attend Bible college and graduate school, and then served as a pastor in evangelical churches for 20 years. Serving God and His people eventually brought him to a spiritual crisis. In the midst of that dark wilderness experience, Dick would say “spiritual direction found me”. He graduated from a two year Spiritual Direction and Retreat Leadership program offered through the Journey Center and then continued studies at Mercy Center in group spiritual direction.

Alexandra Montoya: Alexandra has lived with the scripture “Be still and know that I am God” for over 30 years. But it was in 2004, in the midst of an emotional and spiritual crisis, that she began to discover the profound blessings of living the contemplative life of stillness, silence and solitude. A former master’s level counselor and director in public health/ mental health/ alcohol/drug services, Alex has many years of experience leading various kinds of groups. She brings that skill to the Journey Center, leading groups and offering counseling and spiritual direction with a special emphasis on women’s spirituality, recovery, healing, deep heart work, identity, and the joy of living from our heart’s desires. Growing up in both Lutheran and Pentecostal traditions, she likes to remember: When in doubt, sing! as music is one of her many forms of prayer, especially black gospel.

Joanna Quintrell: It was in the year 2000 that Joanna found herself in a spiritual crisis and first learned about spiritual direction. Her own experience seeing a spiritual director was life-changing and heart-transforming, as no one had ever taught her how to nurture her own inner life with God. After a few years, she felt a calling to serve others as a spiritual director and was initially trained at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA in 2003 (one-month intensive). Joanna has been working as a spiritual director since then. She received additional training and experience through the two year training program at the Center for Spiritual Direction in Chicago, IL., and serves a the co-director of the Journey Center's training program for spiritual directors.

Cecilia Tonna: Cecilia has been a spiritual director for 35 years. She received her training in Spokane, WA, while completing a master's degree in Religious Studies & Spirituality from Gonzaga University. She worked at Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat House in the East Bay for 7 years during the 1970's, giving classes on prayer and spirituality, as well as leading workshops and retreats throughout the Bay Area. She has served as the coordinator for the Rite of Christian Initiation at two Catholic parishes in the Bay Area, and has worked on programs developing spirituality within families. Cecilia has been living in Santa Rosa for the past 28 years, offers individual and group spiritual direction, and specializes in Ignatian Spirituality.