To my Spiritual Direction practice I bring over 25 years of experience in professional ministry, serving not only churches as a pastor, but also leading spiritual retreats, ceremony and ritual, and engaging in shamanic prayer practices which include drumming, singing, dance and movement. This stems from my belief that our connection to Spirit is something we encounter with our whole body and our entire essence, not just our mind.

 

While I am ordained Presbyterian and have served both Presbyterian and United Church of Christ (UCC) churches, my path is both interfaith and inter-spiritual. I believe that the Divine essence is like a deep, underground stream and each spiritual tradition has its own well that can access that stream. My spiritual path includes Celtic and other forms of earth based spirituality, with a deep connection to the divine resonance found in nature. I have been an active participant in my local Kabbalah Mystery School since 2002, which abides in the mystical path of Judaism while also honoring the sacred teachings of Yeshua (the Hebrew name for Jesus) and Mary Magdalene.

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I have a deep passion for the spirituality of the Sacred Feminine, believing that for our psyche and spirit to be whole, we need a balance of sacred images and language that includes both the feminine as well as the masculine qualities of divinity.  To that end I specialize in researching the texts that were left out of the Bible, (such as the Gnostic Gospels) which paint a much more holistic and balanced approach to spirituality and includes the presence of the Sacred Feminine. I also practice earth based spirituality, leading ritual and ceremony to honor the equinoxes, solstices and cross quarter holidays, as we turn the wheel of the year. 

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I am also a Reiki practitioner, having completed  both levels One and Two of Reiki training. I studied with and was attuned by Reiki Master Terry Attwood (who studied with Reiki Master Hawayo Takata) 

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I welcome people from all faiths and backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations.  One of my quests throughout my career has  been to support the rights of the LGBTQ community, especially within religious organizations, believing that we are all created equally as beloved children of God. 

 

As someone who affirms embodied spirituality, I have also engaged with the Bay Area InterPlay community for over twenty years, which playfully integrates mind, body and spirit through improvisational singing, movement and storytelling. 

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How others describe me

Those I have accompanied have described me as someone who is compassionate, kind and non-judgmental with a deep connection to Spirit, who facilitates a sacred space where they feel nurtured by the Divine Presence. Those who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious” often share with me that they experience a safe space and kindred connection with my understanding of spirituality. I feel that part of my call is to be a healing presence for those who may have been wounded by judgmental religious traditions or doctrine that sometimes excludes others.

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“Rev. Kimberly Elliot is a skillful and insightful listener who invites the Divine presence into our conversations through prayer, meditation and her own wise and inspirational presence. She offers a wealth of experience and knowledge that helps me in so many unexpected ways. I highly recommend her as a Spiritual Director."

Brook Scott, San Rafael, CA

 

My Training:

• BA in music from Whitworth University, WA

• Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary, CA

• Completion of summer training program in Spiritual Direction, Mercy Center, CA

• Masters of Arts in Creation Spirituality with Matthew Fox, Oakland, CA

• Reiki Certificate, level One and Two. 

• Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction two year program from San Francisco Theological Seminary

• School of Celtic Consciousness, with John Philip Newell, current.

• Kabbalah Mystery School, led by Megan Wagner and Jim Larkin, active since 2002

• Ongoing workshops that include sacred travel.