Members of Our Wisdom Council

 Frances is the founder of    The Order of Saint Hildegard.

Leaning on 20 years in nonprofit and faith-partnered communities, crisis-based social services and teaching, Frances recently served as Executive Director of United Ministries of Pensacola before moving into community and leadership development.

A former pastor in the British Methodist Church and in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Frances has studied with powerful mentors, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 

Experiences of toxic/traumatic spiritual abuse nearly silenced Frances's call to lead, but the work of deep contemplation and the grace of healing and rising  grew Frances into a nurturer of leaders. In 2018 Frances became a Certified Dare to Lead ™ Facilitator and is currently studying to be Certified as a Guided Meditation Facilitator. Frances loves cooking, Mama Earth, singing, walking in the woods, leading worship in a new and uncertain wilderness, and writing.

Donald is a 33 year old queer person  from rural Appalachia. In his early ministry and prior to coming out 4 years ago He was an ordained minister in the Assembly of God. 

While at Pentecostal seminary he came out, received his first reiki attunements, and fully jumped into the waters of New Thought Metaphysics. 

Today he is an ordained metaphysical minister and Reiki Master.

  Michelle is a visual artist full of wonder and curiosity for the ever surprising mystery of Divine communion. While much of her artwork rises out of the ancient tradition of icon art, Michelle has found a way of creating that is playful and freeing. Artmaking opens us to the spiritual realm and fosters deep listening — something Michelle desires to help others experience. 

A survivor herself, Michelle also seeks ways to educate others on spiritual abuse and trauma in the church. She believes listening and holding space for others to share their stories of pain is an undervalued ministry and was the at the heart of the person Jesus.