|
Siobhan Smith (facilitator) writes:
I am a retired GP, married to Ian, mother of five young adults and grandmother to an expanding tribe of grandchildren. Drawn to a training course in Spiritual Direction in 2006, the transformation of my faith through those two years brought a deep joy and a commitment to companioning others. I was surprised to be invited to join the course in Gloucestershire as a facilitator, delivery of which has challenged and delighted me ever since. I am from a Roman Catholic background but I am increasingly excited by new discoveries from the ancient Wisdom Traditions and the integration of an eclectic mix of spiritual understandings. Contemplative practice is an anchor in my life. |
|
Edyta Mills (facilitator) writes:
I live in Malvern, Worcestershire, with my husband and daughter, and I also have two grown up stepdaughters. I grew up in Poland in a Roman Catholic family and, in my adult life, my faith journey has taken me through a variety of traditions. These include a charismatic Anglican church, a Quaker meeting house where my love of silent and contemplative prayer began, and Buddhist retreats where I first encountered meditation. Today I stay connected with my local Catholic church while also feeling closely linked to an Anglican Benedictine monastic community. I am a spiritual director and a psychotherapist and in recent years my work has become increasingly holistic, bringing together mind, body and spirit. I experience the body as a place of wisdom, prayer and expression, and embodied practice is an important part of my life. I completed the Companion’s Way Spiritual Direction course and was delighted to join the facilitator team in 2021. |
|
David John (facilitator) writes:
After university, I worked as a secondary school English teacher before entering Baptist ministry. I served as a pastor for 35 years during which time I acted as a mentor for several younger ministers. Upon retirement five years ago, I became Lay Chaplin at Trinity College in Bristol and was asked to become a spiritual director to some of the ordinands. This led to my training on A Companion’s Way. I am one of the Core Leaders in my church and continue to mentor a number of members of the congregation. I have three grown-up children and two grandchildren. My interests include reading, playing music and amateur dramatics. I recently played one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella! |
|
Marguerite Holliday (facilitator) writes:
I am a retired clinical psychologist, active in my local Roman Catholic parish and involved in ecumenical life in Swindon where I live. I'm married with three grown up children. Over the last 10 years my faith journey has been increasingly influenced and nurtured by Ignatian spirituality and this eventually led to my training in Spiritual Direction at St Beuno's Spirituality Centre in North Wales. I love to walk, read, sew and sing - and I'm delighted to be joining the facilitator team on A Companion’s Way. |
|
Joe Neary (facilitator)
|
|
Pauline (administrator) writes:
I am a retired linguist and music teacher, widowed with two grown-up children and a vocal miniature dachshund. I was licensed as a Church of England lay minister in 2019, and I enjoy the role of being an interface between ‘church’ and ‘community’. In 2025 I completed the Companion’s Way course, two transformative years for my spirituality. I feel increasingly drawn to contemplative Christian worship, especially of a Celtic or Ionian flavour, and find inspiration in the writings of Richard Rohr, among others. My hobbies include music (piano, flute and singing), watercolour and craftwork. |