Manitoba Directory (List)

I grew up in a small Mennonite church near our home in  Winnipeg. I remember it feeling like one big family. When I went to Bible College, the church leaders invited me to preach and lead worship. I was seventeen. We all took turns leading the adult  Sunday School class. I was welcome to be as involved as I wanted to be and encouraged to develop my gifts within the church. When I was nineteen, I lived in Zimbabwe for a year among people who had a much more charismatic expression of faith. It was a year of much growth for me as I explored this very different way of spirituality. 

When I came home from Zimbabwe, my little Mennonite church felt a bit too small. I  started attending an ecumenical church that seemed comfortable borrowing from the Mennonite, Catholic, Charismatic, Anglican, Baptist, and other traditions. Eventually, this group called me to serve on their leadership team, which I did for a term of five years. 

Over the years I have had wonderful opportunities to explore the depth and richness of the Christian tradition from many different angles. I was introduced to the Celtic Christian tradition and fell in love with their passion for stories (all of which are true—and some of them even happened!), their care for all of Creation, their hospitality, and of course, their Anam Charaid—soul friend tradition. It is this tradition that inspires me most in my Spiritual Direction practice. 

I trained at St. Benedict’s in the Shekinah program of formation for Spiritual Directors.  I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Master’s in Christian Ministry. I am also a certified Supervisor for other Spiritual Directors. I have trained with Dr. Karl Lehman and Rev. Charlotte Lehman in the Immanuel Prayer approach. Immanuel  Prayer is about leading people towards an interactive connection with the Holy One. Through this work, I have had the amazing privilege of seeing people healed of traumatic memories, damaged images of the Divine, harmful habits, and deepen their faith journeys. 

In addition to having a private practice in Spiritual Direction, I also lead retreats and give seminars and workshops on a variety of topics including spiritual practices for life, Celtic  Christianity, developing your own Rule of Life, seasonal themes for Advent & Lent, emotional and spiritual healing, to name a few.

I come from a Mennonite Evangelical Christian heritage and inherited my faith through conditioning, saying the sinner’s prayer as a child, serving and recommitting my life to Christ at Bible camp, and all that was expected of good girls in Manitoba in the 1990s. But the adolescence of faith can strike at any age and I began to question my faith after becoming a wife and mother. Then 2020 happened. And the social issues raised because of and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic revealed an Evangelical body in turmoil.

Deconstruction is the new buzzword for the systematic dismantling of the tenets of one’s own faith identity and with the help of many supports, I experienced this over the course of many years. My current spiritual path includes Christian mysticism and contemplative disciplines, centering prayer and meditation, and nature-based practices, to name a few.

In September 2021, I entered the Shekinah Formation program because of my calling to connect with others. I have been built to reflect, write, and speak. Wherever I go I desire to build connection and lessen the suffering of others. In today’s social climate, there is a need for constructive voices to fill liminal spaces at the intersection of so many issues, and the unique opportunity to carefully provide spiritual direction for those deconstructing within the Mennonite Evangelical faith is a task with which I am well positioned to help. I also continue to be passionate about women’s issues, support for 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming theology, eco-theology, and more. To me, Spiritual Direction is about three things: your experience in spirituality, how I can interact as a companion with you in that, and how God shows up when we spend time intentionally exploring together. My role as a director is not to judge, teach, or advise, but rather hold space for another person or group to explore their relationship with the Divine.

Outside of Spiritual Direction, I am a writer and host a blog called The Prairie Thistle (www.prairiethistle.ca). I write personal reflection essays and critique of the western church, and invite others to share their stories of deconstruction online. I enjoy poetry and music and writing for our local small town newspaper. I am a mystic married to a skeptic and am primary caregiver to our two wickedly smart teenagers. I enjoy gardening and helping naturalize our few acres with native plant species. Someday I would love to be able to walk through a food forest I helped establish and sit in a yurt I built myself.

Growing up as a “feeling” person in a “doing” Mennonite community, I was envious of other faiths with their symbols, rhythms, sense of mystery, and belief in transformation. Discovering these pieces within contemplative Christianity freed me to rediscover and fall in love with my own faith tradition.

I began seeing a nun for spiritual direction, struck by her quiet confidence in God. When she retired, I found a director within the Imago Dei Christian Community, where I continue to worship, alongside my involvement in an Anglican congregation.

Back when I was 19, on a short-term service trip to Germany, my role was visiting with refugee families over coffee, listening to their stories of beauty and pain. I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could sit with people like this as a vocation?” During the pandemic, as I scrolled past an invitation to train as a spiritual director, I recalled that moment; God saw my desire. I spent 2021-23 in the Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.

I believe unhurried, nonjudgmental listening is the greatest gift we can offer one another—and one of the most effective means to spiritual growth. In my 15 years of working for Christian publications (Christian Week, MB Herald), interviewing artists and caregivers about their passion for their work, I developed my skills in asking open-ended questions and creating a safe space for the answers.

My other vocation is author, with books about raising autistic children; sorting through my Mennonite grandparents’ legacy; and finding joy in colour, music, and humour. Drawing on my experiences as a poet, I enjoy sparking directees’ imagination and celebrating their word pictures for God’s activity in their life.

I have a soft heart for people in pain, having lived through miscarriage, depression, and sibling loss. I am comfortable with the language and range of emotions surrounding disability, mental health, and caregiving. My hope is that directees increase their capacity to offer themselves and others freedom to be human: to honour their own desires, to offer their strengths, to rest, and to receive love.

Growing up in a small Mennonite village in Southeast Manitoba provided me with a stable, happy start to my faith journey. However, it was through living abroad— in Germany as a high school exchange student, studying in Lithuania during college, and later serving on staff at this Lithuanian university for three years—that my faith began to expand. These experiences, along with my journey as a partner and parent, have deeply shaped my spiritual perspective. I am a contemplative, an artist, an entrepreneur, and a writer—these are the places where I most often encounter God.

As a Spiritual Director, I companion individuals through contemplative practices, prayerful listening, and spiritual discernment; helping them attend to God’s presence in their everyday lives. I support seekers, leaders, and those feeling spiritually weary in cultivating deeper awareness, authentic faith, and meaningful connection with God. My practice is open to individuals of all faith backgrounds, denominations, genders, and life experiences.

In my years of practice, I have accompanied a growing number of pastors and other spiritual leaders seeking Spiritual Direction. This is an honor and a privilege. Those who care for others need spiritual care themselves, yet they often struggle to find space to receive it. Pastors and spiritual leaders benefit from being deeply listened to and cared for, so they can give from a place of fullness rather than depletion. Spiritual Direction offers a sacred space for rest, renewal, and deeper attunement to God’s love, counsel, and compassion.

I bring a broad range of experience, including pastoral leadership, overseas missions, and cross-cultural communication. I also walk alongside those navigating spiritual abuse, religious trauma, mental illness, and faith deconstruction. I understand how disorienting it can be when the beliefs that once provided stability begin to shift. Whether you’re holding onto faith with both hands, loosening your grip, or reassembling the pieces in a way that feels more authentic, I am here to support you in that process.

I grew up in SW Ontario and have attended the Anglican Church for as long as I can remember. I spent many years working as a Registered Nurse in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as I followed my ordained spouse, landing in Winnipeg after his appointment as Bishop of Rupert’s Land. I retired from Nursing in 2017. I have a strong desire to deepen my prayer life and have always had a strong and abiding sense of God’s presence.  

I have learned a great deal from Celtic Spirituality and have had the opportunity to visit holy sites and meet with teachers and communities in England, Scotland, and N. Ireland. The practical wisdom and deep faith of the Celtic Christians and the teachings of the Celtic saints resonate deeply with me.  

I have a deep love of learning and teaching, including completing a degree in Adult Education in 2000. Over the years, I have led many study groups focussed on various aspects of spirituality and I have a passion for leading retreats and accompanying others in spiritual direction. I enjoy drawing people into a space that allows them to experience a deeper sense of God’s love for them.  

Most recently I began exploring the spirituality of aging through The Forest Dwelling Program at the  Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, from teachers such as Fr Ron Rolheiser, OMI; Barbara  Brown Taylor, Mary Earle, and Marilyn McEntyre. I realized that I have not spent much time developing a rich, nurturing spirituality for my own senior years. Carl Jung observed that “we can’t live the afternoon of our lives the same way we lived the morning”. The Forest Dwelling program helped me to shape and articulate new and previously undeveloped inner vistas and enabled a greater openness to the aging process and its gifts and challenges. I was invited to develop and co-ordinate a similar program in Canada through Queen’s House Retreat Centre in Saskatoon. The Growing in Wisdom program (www.growinginwisdom.ca) provides an opportunity to engage with and develop a deeper spirituality for aging, all from a Zoom context.

In addition to my work in Spiritual Direction and spirituality, I am a wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother to six delightful grandchildren who feed my soul and bring me joy. I enjoy spending time in the quiet and solace of nature, most especially from a quiet setting in Riding Mountain National Park.

I grew up in Winnipeg, rooted in the faith tradition of the United Church of Canada. My early spirituality was deepened through attending St. Mary’s Academy Roman Catholic School for five years of junior and high school. There I encountered a sense of holy mystery that nourished my soul and spirit. I was also influenced by the Mennonite faith tradition through a year of study at what was then Mennonite Brethren Bible College (now part of Canadian Mennonite University). After discerning a call to ministry in the United Church I attended theological college in Toronto. I served as an ordained minister for 36 years in several different congregations, retiring in June of 2020.

My passion for spirituality has been present throughout my ministry, nourished by reading, learning events, retreats, and the exploration of a variety of spiritual practices. Attending to the spiritual dimension of my life has been especially important within a faith tradition that places a strong emphasis on social justice. I believe that we can’t have one without the other. Our spiritual practices help ground us for the important work of doing justice and bearing faithful witness in our world.

I am a trained spiritual director through the Prairie Jubilee program and have been practicing since 2009. My special interests within spiritual direction are being open to people of all faith traditions or none, and helping individuals to discover ways of connecting to the Holy that best fit who they are.

On the personal side, I am single and the parent of three young adults. Among my interests are reading, playing the ukulele, baking, gardening, canoeing, and enjoying the outdoors.

Bit of background

Born in Saskatchewan, I have also lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, Kingston and Norwood, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Together with my partner of over 30 years, we enjoy three adult children, one with special needs who lives with us, and the others currently also nearby.  I live in Winnipeg with my partner, son, dog and two cats – mostly peaceably.

My early education and training were in Theology, and I have had many years of experience in prison and community chaplaincy and supporting small faith communities (Mennonite and United Church). 

Things that enrich life

I love walking my dog, biking or hiking in nature, creating things (sewing, painting, writing, baking, photography), listening to music, and so much reading (especially mysteries and fantasy – always fiction). Quiet time, either outdoors while walking or biking or in my study, is an important time to re-charge and learn the gifts of gratitude and delight.

 The lens of the Enneagram

I am an Enneagram 4 (with both its joys and challenges), learning about this piece of my life as I go, and enjoy learning more about both me and others through the lens of the Enneagram.  This can inform spiritual direction/companionship as we learn and explore our relationship with the holy.

I have skills in listening and empathy and a strong spiritual life that I draw on.  As an Enneagram 4, I have a rich internal life that holds both gifts and challenges.  Deep feelings and strong emotions do not scare me.  I am open to receiving them because I recognize them.  

Please contact me through my website at Contact | It’s a Beautiful World! call or email me.

About Me

For over three decades, I have walked alongside people in some of life’s most vulnerable moments. My perspective has been shaped by a career in Health Promotion, 30 years of ministry and camp leadership, and my own journey as a spouse and mother.

At Barefoot Counselling and Spiritual Care, I believe that when we “take off our shoes,” we acknowledge that the ground we are standing on—no matter how messy or difficult—is holy. I am committed to a trauma-informed approach, recognizing that our past experiences and our nervous systems play a vital role in how we experience God and the world around us.

My Approach to Spiritual Direction

I see spiritual direction as an opportunity to be listened to deeply. My role is to act as a companion and help you notice the Divine in your everyday life. My approach is:

• Body-Soul Integrated: Drawing on my health promotion background, I pay attention to the “whole person.” I understand that spiritual dryness or fear can often be held in the body, and I offer a space that respects this connection.
• Trauma-Informed: I prioritize emotional and spiritual safety. I understand that for many, “religious” spaces haven’t always felt safe. My goal is to provide a non-coercive environment where you have total agency over your journey.
• Contemplative & Gentle: We move at your pace. Whether through silence, prayer, or conversation, we look for the “still, small voice” together.

Areas of Focus

• Ministry & Camp Leadership: Having served as a camp director and in various ministry roles, I understand the unique weight of leadership. I offer a confidential haven for those facing burnout or compassion fatigue.
• Health & Healing: Supporting those navigating physical illness, chronic pain, grief, or the aging process through a spiritual lens.
• Women’s Life Transitions: Walking with women through the shifts of parenting, mid-life, and changing faith identities.

Personal Note

My husband Peter and I have been partners in life and ministry since 1997. Whether we are road-tripping, canoeing, or enjoying the quiet of rural Manitoba, I enjoy walking with people as they move toward wholeness and a deeper sense of being truly “home” in themselves and with God.

Spiritual direction is a sacred task of accompanying others on their unique spiritual journey however that is going for them. I have been blessed to journey with folk as a spiritual director/companion/soul friend since 2000. That’s the year I graduated from the Shekinah School of Spiritual Direction at St. Benedict’s Retreat and Conference Centre just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Early in 2018, I retired from permanent employment, leaving my role as part-time Co-Minister of Pastoral and Spiritual Care at Grace Bible Church, Winnipeg. I continue to use my CPE training as an on-call spiritual care provider at Health Science Center, Winnipeg’s largest tertiary hospital.

My spiritual journey had been enriched by studying in Bible colleges (Pentecostal and Mennonite) and the University of Winnipeg culminating with a M.Div. & STM from the Faculty of Theology in 2010. Our faith community, Grain of Wheat Church-Community, provides fellowship and ministry opportunities. 

I enjoy spending time with Linda and our youngest son and partner Thomas, Zeenib and their two dogs. Our oldest, Joel and Kathleen are parenting our granddaughters, Adley-Jo and Elliott In Nova Scotia. Stained glass projects, contemplative reflection, prayer, reading, music, friends and walking give me much joy.

Dale’s life’s call has been to help other seekers find the truth of whom they are and how to live differently, making our world a better place. He works extensively with the enneagram in his personal life as well as sharing its insights through spiritual direction, retreats, study groups and workshops. Dale began his own journey of self-discovery in 1993 under the guidance of Carol Ann Gotch and David Walsh, who were both students of Bob Ochs.  His leadership training with Enntrain: Inspirited and Embodied Enneagram  program was completed in 2012. That same year he began working as a member of the Prairie Jubilee leadership team.