About Brenda
I consider it a great gift that I was raised on a farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I learned to love the outdoors: the smooth curl of damp earth off shining plow blades, wordless hours in field and pasture, pollen’s rich perfume on summer evenings. I still meet the Holy on hiking trails and long walks alone and with others, and in my Aussie-dog’s sweet, soft fur. Today my geographic homes are the mountain forests of Washington and western Montana.
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My family was deeply religious: We followed the Norwegian Lutherans on my dad’s side. I’ve always been a spiritual seeker, both drawn by a powerful sense of God’s boundless love and often searching for the peace and ease it promises.
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In congregational life and work, I’ve grown familiar with addiction and 12-Step spirituality, family systems theory, and Myers-Briggs and Enneagram personality styles. I sense God’s love when listening to elderly members, serving families in grief and loss, and companioning the questions of young friends.
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My husband, Doug Peterson, and I were ordained in 1993, and have since served congregations in Helena and Hamilton, Montana, Enumclaw and Shelton, Washington, both together and apart in our calls.
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Our own family was called and gifted to intensively support a person in recovery from generational cult abuse, which drew me to ongoing study of the effects and healing of trauma in my own and others’ lives, including racism, sexism and abuse. I have great respect and empathy for those who suffer, their companions and their champions.
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In 2017, I enrolled in the Renovaré Institute for Spiritual Formation, a 2-year ecumenical cohort that grew lasting friendships and spiritual practices that helped the loving presence of God become more real to me. My counselor, along with the teachers, spiritual directors, and supervisors who companioned my own certification as a spiritual director through Portland Seminary (2022) are also powerful guides whose wisdom I hope to pass on through my own presence with others.
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There has been nothing as healing for me as sharing what seems vulnerable in myself and being met with empathy, understanding, and encouragement. To be seen, heard, known, deeply understood and faithfully loved is a priceless and transforming experience. I hope that my presence as a spiritual director, pastor, and human being offers these holy gifts to others with grace and freedom.
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Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Spiritual Director certified through Portland Seminary, and member of Spiritual Directors International; Alumni of the Renovare Institute for Spiritual Formation.
Needs & Commitments
Intentionality is an integral tool in spiritual direction, as I name my intentions as spiritual director and soul tender, I also name intentions around my own needs and commitments in this work.
In order to offer space and time for others to listen to their own souls, I must…
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I must leave enough space for my own soul to emerge and be tended. I need time alone, time walking, time on or in mountains, time with my garden, my body, my husband, my family, my dog. I need to be quiet long enough to hear God’s whisper in my inner being and glimpse my own soul from the corner of my eye.
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My own growth and health are served through my worshiping community, spiritual friends, my direction supervisor, and spiritual direction. I also see a counselor or therapist when I encounter personal difficulties ttoo much for my usual supports to sort through. I know this is needed when my ability to clear my mind and emotions and confidently hold space for others or for my own work is persistently and profoundly affected.