Rev. Sheila Bourne B.Th. Dip.Phys.Ed.
Anglican priest. Trained as a personal Counsellor in Holistic Approach to Christian Counselling, Graduate Education for Ministry and Trainer of Mentors. Completed 4 year course in Spiritual Direction in Hunter Valley, Spiritual Director since 1994, Hospital Chaplain and Chaplain at St John's Theological College.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Ms Suzanne Dunbar B.Sc. Dip.Ed. MA Spirituality
Suzanne Dunbar is currently Spiritual Formation Facilitator with the Uniting Church of Australia in the Mid Lachlan Mission Area. Sue received her training in spiritual formation from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago USA, concurrently completing a master's degree in spirituality at Loyola University.
Sue's commitment to spirituality and spiritual direction has led to roles as the national president for the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction, a member of the workshop selection committee for Spiritual Directors International conference and currently as a member of the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction. Sue is an experienced spiritual director, supervisor teacher and workshop presenter.
Mrs Barbara Burridge
Barbara is a regional Manager for Anglicare's Aged Community Services, is on the Leadership Team for the Bundeena House Christian Community and has completed four years course in Spiritual Direction.
Teaching Specialists
Various specialists are engaged to teach particular subjects on a weekend by weekend basis.
Mr John Devereux
Diploma of Theology Holy Spirit Institute of Theology 1971.
Clinical Pastoral Education (2 units - 1997 & 2002).
Spiritual Direction Course - Morpeth 2003 - 2006.
Certificate in Welfare Work - Honours - TAFE 1983.
In 1996 John retired from the Department of Community Services where he was involved in Child Protection Work and was responsible for the recruiting and training of foster carers. Since 1997 John has been a Hospital Chaplain on a voluntary basis with Central Coast Health Services. John says, "It is always a privilege to be with the patients in their sickness and, on occastions, when they are dying. The depth of spirituality in the patients, their families and the nursing staff is personally very rewarding for me." John is a member of the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction.
Jennifer Parsons
Jenny is an artist with special interest in the connection between art and spirituality.
Mary Hagan rsj
Mary received her training in spiritual direction at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago USA, also completing the Intensive Training in Focusing with Peter Campbell & Ed McMahon from the Institute for Bio-Spiritual Focusing. Currently Mary offers regular prayer days, retreats and spiritual direction as well as a rural ministry in spiritual direction, with monthly trips to the Riverina. She is also a visiting spiritual director at the following places or programs: New Life Program - Marymount Mercy Centre, Castle Hill; Parramatta Institute for Mission; St Mary's Towers Retreat Centre, Douglas Park and St Joseph's, Kincumber. Mary is also the Sydney Representative on the ANSD executive.
Mrs Eileen Reeks B.Sc. (Hons) M.A.P.S., Registered Psychologist.
Eileen has worked as a psychotherapist with Anglicare for many years. She is an accredited Myers Briggs trainer and has also completed a four year course in Spiritual Direction. Her particular passion and joy is journeying with and supporting people to find growth and healing in their lives.
Mrs Katherine Lindsay MA, LLB(Qld), LLM (Newcastle), MACE, Oblate OSB
Director of Curriculum, The University of Newcastle Law School.
Katherine Lindsay has received university and state-wide recognition of her excellence in teaching and learning in the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence and Learning Support 2006 and a NSW Quality Teaching Award 2007. She has been nominated for a Carrick Institute Citation in 2008.
Katherine's particular passions are an holistic approach to the education of university students which is inspired by the Rule of St Benedict and the building of healthy learning communities based on the principles of Benedictine spirituality. Holy listening is an integral part of her professional ethos.
Mrs Elizabeth Palmer B.Sc.(Hons)
TREASURER
Senior Administrative Assistant, St Mark's National Theological Centre, Canberra.
Lay Liturgical Assistant in the Anglican Church.
Elizabeth has completed a Communicating and Relating Skills program through Interrelate and a four year Residential Course in Spiritual Direction. In 2002 and 2006 whe undertook the 800km pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella. Elizabeth is an active member of the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction and was involved in organising three annual conferences. She has been running retreat weekends since 2004 and is passionate about the process of journeying with people as they discover God at work in their lives.
Mr John Connor B.Ec., B.D., Dip.Ed., Dip. Past. Stud.
John is a retired Baptist pastor. He trained as a relationship counsellor with Interrelate NSW and served as a part time relationship counsellor with Interrelate for 30 years. He completed the four year course in spiritual direction at Morpeth, 2001 –2004 and is a member of the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction. John finds great joy in the practice of Christian meditation and contemplative prayer and has a deep interest in Christian mysticism. John leads occasional quiet days on such themes as Christian meditation and Celtic spirituality.