Welcome! My name is Sharon Seyfarth Garner and I am the Director & Founder of Belly of the Whale Spiritual Direction & Retreat Ministries LLC. I am also a pastor, author, spiritual director and retreat leader. On a personal note I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend who loves kayaking, pottery, singing loudly, walking our dog (Bear) and indulging in the most delicious food on the face of the earth - wood fired pizza!

I have always loved listening more than speaking. Perhaps that is why I find the prayerful practice of deep listening as I companion with others on their spiritual journey to be one of life’s greatest blessings. I know that meeting with my own spiritual director helps me keep my eyes and ears open for God’s presence in my life. I pray it does the same for my directees as well.

I love exploring (and encouraging others to explore) creative, new ways to pray that offer spiritual vitality amidst the ordinary activities of daily living. I am particularly drawn to sacred silence, Ignatian spirituality and contemplative coloring.

I have been blessed by the opportunity to write and publish two books through Upper Room Books about how coloring can be an invitation to set aside distractions and enter more deeply into a time of focused prayer. (Praying with Mandalas:  A Colorful, Contemplative Practice and Mandalas, Candles and Prayer:  A Simply Centered Advent.) What joy it brings me to know that faithful folks across the world (US, Israel, New Zealand, France, Liberia) have been introduced to the meaningful spiritual practice of contemplative coloring as a way of drawing closer to God.

I have also had opportunities to lead spiritual renewal workshops and retreats across the country including at the Spiritual Director’s International Conference, Wild Goose Festival, Weird Church Camp and at a local women’s prison. I am currently working on developing a new retreat opportunity based on an in depth look at the book of Jonah as a way of nurturing spiritual vitality even when we feel like we are in the “belly of the whale.”

In terms of the credentialing piece of the puzzle, I was ordained as an Elder by the United Methodist Church in 1997 and ecclesiastically endorsed for the specialized ministry of spiritual direction in 2014.  I also hold graduate certificates in Spiritual Direction (Ignatian Spirituality Institute of John Carroll University), Diversity Management (Cleveland State University), and Ecumenical Studies (World Council of Churches).  My B.A is from Swarthmore College (1989) and M.Div. is from the Methodist Theological School of Ohio (1995).  Professional organizations of which I am a member are Spiritual Directors International and the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders.

I am deeply committed to honoring and seeking the image of God in every person. As such I have been particularly engaged in LGBTQ+ and social justice advocacy work. I volunteer regularly at a local women’s prison and am learning more about how to actively address the epidemic of mass incarceration.

Overall, I consider it a personal joy and a professional privilege to meet others wherever they are on their journey of faith and partner with them toward a deeper, more meaningful and revitalized spiritual life.  I look forward to sharing this journey together with you.

With strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Sharon

About Our Name.

"Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the whale."  Jonah 2:1

Just as Jonah encountered God in the

"belly of the whale,"

we also long for

a safe space

to encounter God -

space where we can

express our spiritual longings,

ask the challenging questions,

and nurture a genuine relationship with God.

Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Formation Retreats

provide just this sort of safe space

- amidst our often stormy and busy lives -

to nurture a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.