Spiritual Directors

Jump down to the list of directors.

Over the past few years, spiritual direction is a ministry that has been increasingly requested and appreciated by Mennonites. Both clergy and lay persons have chosen to meet with Spiritual Directors as a way of nurturing their relationship with God. Sensing this and recognizing the need for more trained Spiritual Directors, Mennonite Church Manitoba (MCM), in conjunction with AMBS (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary), offered two training programs for Spiritual Directors.

The list you find below is a directory of Mennonites within Mennonite Church Manitoba (and a few from other denominations who’ve taken the training we offered) that are qualified and available to offer the ministry of spiritual direction. Fundamentally a ministry of prayer, spiritual direction is a one-with-one relationship in which directors accompany others on their journey to a maturing faith in Christ.

Each individual on this list has provided information regarding their training and availability. In addition, a letter of reference has been supplied by their congregation indicating they are in good standing within their congregation. These persons have also committed themselves to the ethical standards of Spiritual Directors International (Guidelines for Ethical Conduct can be purchased for approximately $2.00 each from SDI, PO Box 3584, Bellevue, WA 98009 or their website: www.sdiworld.org/html/member.htm).

Although MCM does not officially endorse these persons, we trust the congregations who have written letters on their behalf and affirm the value of the training they received.

Individuals seeking spiritual direction may write or telephone persons on the list for further information. Ordinarily those seeking spiritual direction will request an initial exploratory conversation with the director to discuss their interest and also to learn how the director functions. After that conversation, a decision can be made regarding future meetings. Suitable financial reimbursements should also be discussed and arranged.

In addition to spiritual direction, some of the persons in this directory are also willing to lead spiritual retreats for small groups or congregations. You are encouraged to contact them with your requests.

It is MCM’s prayer that making this directory available will further support spiritual growth toward maturity in Christ among many in the church.

John P. Klassen
Director of Leadership Ministries
Mennonite Church Manitoba
200-600 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba; R3P 2J1
204-896-1616

***********************************************

Judith Doell
Home Church: Whitewater Mennonite Church; Boissevain
Telephone: 204-534-2996 (church)
E-mail: wwmc@mts.net
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005
Availability: Women and men in the south western region of Manitoba; also open to leading spiritual direction retreats for lay persons as well as pastors at Camp Koinonia.

Gord Driedger
Home Church: Altona Mennonite Church
Telephone: 204-324-6773
E-mail: gordpamd@mb.sympatico.ca
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction Course (2002)
Experience: Directing since 2002.
Availability: Men and women in the Altona area.

Ruth Epp
Home Church: Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church
Telephone: 786-1006
E-mail: ruthepp@mts.net
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005
Availability: Women & men in the Winnipeg area; would like to meet at the church.

Sunnie Friesen
Home Church: Steinbach Mennonite Church
Telephone:
E-mail: smad@shaw.ca
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2002)
Experience: Directing since 2002.
Availability: Women, men and students (evenings and Saturdays); also available to lead workshops and retreats focusing on contemplative practices including spiritual direction, centering prayer and lectio divina

Marilyn Houser Hamm
Home Church: Altona Mennonite Church
Telephone: 204-324-5438
E-mail: rhamm@mts.net
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2002; 2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since 2002
Availability: Women preferred. Possible consideration of male directees.

Jessie Kehler
Home Church: Charleswood Mennonite Church; Winnipeg
Telephone: 204-888-8192
E-mail: jessieandlarry@shaw.ca
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005
Availability: Prefer giving direction to women

Hanny Labun
Home Church: Riverwood Church Community; Winnipeg
Telephone: 204-668-3181 (the church will pass on messages)
E-mail: r2hlabun@shaw.ca
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Have directly unofficially for a few years; formally since the winter of 2005.
Availability: Men or women; also available to lead small groups or half-day retreats.

Ellen Martens
Home Church: Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church
Telephone: 204-534-6952
E-mail: bmarten1@mts.net
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005.
Availability: Persons within the Westman region; willing to travel some.

Lori Matties
Home Church: River East Mennonite Brethren Church; Winnipeg
Telephone: 204-668-2527
E-mail: lmatties@shaw.ca
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005); several courses in the Enneagram
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005
Availability: Female or male directees; during the daytime and some evening hours.

Evelyn Rigby
Home Church: St.Paul’s United Church; Boissevain
Telephone: 204-534-6347
E-mail: revev1@mts.net
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005
Availability: available for group presentations after April, 2006; in the interim, could manage 1 or 2 directees after mid-April, 2006.

Irene Wiens
Home Church: Grain of Wheat Church Community; Winnipeg
Telephone: 204-774-6949
E-mail: imwiens@mts.net
Training: MA in Theological Studies (Christian Spirituality) at AMBS, including Spiritual Direction training; a 2 year Spiritual Direction program at St. Benedict’s, Winnipeg
Experience: Approximately 10 years
Availability: Men & women in Winnipeg and surrounding areas

Wilma Wiens
Home Church: Fourth Avenue Bible Church (MB); Niverville
Telephone: 204- 255-7027
E-mail: wilmadanwiens@mts.net
Training: AMBS Spiritual Direction course (2004-2005)
Experience: Directing since the winter of 2005
Availability: Women and men in the Winnipeg area and south of Winnipeg; also available to lead workshops or retreats focusing on contemplative spiritual practices including spiritual direction, centering prayer and lectio divina.