St. Francis Springs offers a safe and welcoming space for prayer, reflection and spiritual direction. Here, in this “Prayer-Soaked” space, you can put aside your daily distractions and attend to an awareness of your deeper desires, relationship with God, and your purpose in life by sharing your story with an contemplative listener.
Spiritual direction was started in the 4th century by theologian John Cassian as a way for one-to-one spiritual guidance and has been expanded over the years to the present day where a “trained” spiritual director provides companionship for a person seeking to explore and deepen his/her relationship with God.
Most spiritual direction sessions occur every four to eight weeks, and last approximately one hour.
Spiritual direction can help you develop a more intimate relationship with God by becoming more attuned to how and where God is working in your life and how you are responding to God’s unique call for you.
Both spiritual direction and psychotherapy must happen in an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. In spiritual direction, the goal is not to fix or solve the participant’s problem. Instead, its purpose is to develop the seeker’s personal relationship with God by making them aware of where God is acting in their life.
The spiritual director, in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, serves as a conduit between the seeker and God. As Gerald May, renowned psychiatrist and spiritual director wrote, “the function of the spiritual director is ‘to attend to God’s power, love and grace in the directee’s situation.’”
To make an appointment with one of our spiritual directors, please send an email to one of our directors below. The suggested fee for a one hour appointment is $40 to $60, adjusted as needed. Payment is made directly to the spiritual director by cash or check at the time of the meeting.
BOB PEARSON, OFS
Bob has been a staff member of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center and a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order – the Franciscan Family of Greensboro. He is a widowed father of five, and grandfather of seventeen. Bob is formed in spiritual direction through Fairfield University, a four-year Ignatian Spirituality program and he is a member of Spiritual Directors International. Bob’s passion is meeting with those who are seeking ‘more’, and who are open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Email: bob@stfrancis.today Email now
MARGE BIRGE
Marge is a seeker grounded in contemplative spirituality who finds joy in bringing people together to listen. Her love of teaching began with elementary school children, but now focuses primarily on adults. In 2006, she received a certificate as a spiritual director from Sursum Corda, an ecumenical program grounded in the Christian contemplative tradition. In addition to being a spiritual director, Marge also has experience leading retreats, grief support groups, and Bible study groups. Email: margebirge@bellsouth.net. Email now
KIM GARRISON
Kim serves as a spiritual director in Greensboro, NC and at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. Kim is formed through the Fairfield University Spiritual Direction Formation Program and is grounded in Ignatian Spirituality . She is a member of Spiritual Directors International and holds a graduate degree in organizational leadership. An experienced retreatant, Kim is passionate about joining others on their spiritual journey, meeting them where they are, and walking with them on their spiritual path to deepening the awareness of the Holy in their lives. Kim is available to meet in person at St. Francis Springs, via phone, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom. Email: kimpalmisano4@gmail.com. Email now
ELLEN SIMON
Ellen received her certificate as a spiritual director from Souljourners, an
accredited spiritual formation program in the Benedictine tradition, and has
been accompanying others in their ongoing spiritual journeys since 2008.
She provides opportunities for others to observe, explore, and respond to
the Divine’s movement in their lives. Ellen’s work is grounded in the belief
that God is active in all aspects of daily life, and that reflection on divine
action and love draws us deeper into relationship with God, self, and
others. Her calling is to make space for deep, mindful listening,
contemplation, and awareness. Ellen can meet in person, via telephone or
video applications. emariesimon@gmail.com Email now
JENNIFER WAY KLOSS
Jen Kloss is a creative communicator, Spiritual Director, retreat leader and soul
care provider. She is the founder of JourneyingTogether: Soul Care for Women,
a collaborative group offering resources and opportunities for churches and
individuals to s l o w down and engage with God and one another. Jen graduated
from Sustainable Faith, a 2 year school of Spiritual Direction. She is passionate
about bringing the streams of faith traditions (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox,
various denominations etc.) together as the mighty river of God, flowing into a dry
and weary land. Based in Thomasville, NC, Jen offers Spiritual Direction in
person at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center and remotely via FaceTime
or phone.
Learn more about her heart by visiting www.awaytoaftrica@gmail.com Email now
Paul’s devotion to seeking God in all things guides his accompanying others in their searching
for greater awareness of and deeper relationship with God in their everyday experiences. He
earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. in Christian Ministries (Christian
counseling). He is retired from a 45-year career as a psychological therapist. In recent years he
responded to a call to the Spiritual Direction ministry by becoming certified through the Fairfield
University Spiritual Direction Formation Program grounded in experiential Ignatian spirituality.
He brings special interests in Franciscan, Taize, and ecological spiritualities as well as
contemplative prayer into his spiritual direction practice. He is a member of Spiritual Directors
International. Paul provides individual and group spiritual direction at St. Vincent de Paul
Catholic Church in Akron, Ohio. He is available for spiritual direction through the St. Francis
Springs Spiritual Direction Ministry via ZOOM or Skype. Email: jerpm1@aol.com Email now
CARRIE MCKEOWN DELANEY
Carrie serves as a spiritual director and owner of “Wings to Fly” in Lynchburg, Virginia. “Wings to Fly” is an apostolate that provides Christian Spiritual Mentorship and Direction to people of faith who are looking to deepen their relationship with God. Carrie spent 18 years of theological training with the Franciscan Sisters and received her certification in spiritual direction from the School of Spirituality in Clearwater, Florida. Carrie Delaney has also been trained in ministering to a diverse population of various faith backgrounds as a Healthcare Chaplain and has a special care and concern in her heart for bereavement ministry. No matter which stage of life one finds themselves in, Carrie stands at the foot of the cross with her directees in the sacredness of that moment. With reverence, Carrie serves each person exactly where they are: spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Carrie can meet for spiritual direction sessions via phone or video application. Feel free to find out more at: wingstoflycm.com Email now
or call 434-534-1410.
LANE SAPP
Lane is a spiritual director in formation with the World on Fire Ignatian Spiritual Direction program in Charlotte, NC. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Lane has served as a parish pastor for 36 years in the Moravian Church. Currently, Lane is Director of the Commission on Ministry of the Moravian Church, South where he serves as “pastor to pastors” in his role as a Bishop. Lane has a special passion for the care and support of those serving in parish ministry. Ecumenical in spirit, Lane enjoys journeying with persons of all faith traditions who seek to deepen their relationship with God.”
You cam contact Lane by email at: tanglewood1962@gmail.com. Email now
