Executive Appointment

The people featured on this page are volunteers appointed by members of the Association every two years. They represent the members by being drawn from various denominations, ages, locations and of course both genders. They retire by rotation every two years. Please view the ACSD constitution for more information about executive appointments. You may also contact the secretary via the email webform (right column) if you would like more information about the responsibilities of executive membership.

ACSD Executive Members

 

The 2008 Executive of the ACSD Aotearoa-New Zealand

L-R: Shirley Fergusson, Kevin Gallagher, Anne Hadfield, Nola Myles, Faye Rive. Absent: Susannah Connolly

 

Susannah Connolly lives on land where we run various animals, it is my place of slowing down and been able to go with the rhythm of nature. I work in the Men and Family centre doing Spiritual Direction and Creative counselling, also exploring Equine assisted therapy. Lecturing at the Auckland Bible College of NZ in Spiritual Formation, and creative therapies is also one of my favourite extras. I am president of the local pony club. Living with the poor in slums in the Philippines was a big part of my spiritual growth, which I live with daily. Andrew, Josh and Hana are my favourite people on earth and they teach me and inspire me constantly. Andrew coordinates the family centre, and Josh and Hana work at school, in the gym and rugby field and on horse back.

ACSD Secretary Shirley Fergusson "retired" from Parish Ministry several years ago to allow time to enjoy family life (which now includes 10 grandchildren) and "Okehu" a 10 acre property out of Hamilton which provides a restful haven for herself, husband Bill, extended family and occasional retreatants. She is self employed in private practice as a spiritual director, supervisor, retreat leader, and counselling psychologist while maintaining links with parish ministry one day a week.

 

Kevin Gallagher is married to Lyn and they have a family of four adult children. He is trained in the ministry of spiritual direction with the SEED course in Christchurch and was on the SEED 3 formation team. Kevin has had further training in retreat and spiritual direction at St Beuno’s Ignatian Spirituality centre in Wales. Kevin works part time as a physiotherapist and he and Lyn work together in offering retreats in the tradition of St Ignatius of Loyola. They are both on the DEEPEN course team offering formation in contemplative spirituality and prayer guidance. Kevin has been a member of the Association of Christian Spiritual Directors for 6 years and on the Executive now for two. He is a practicing member of St Teresa’s Catholic community Christchurch.

Anne Hadfield has had many roles in life; teacher, co-director of a church department, local minister at Crossways, Wellington, mother, grandmother and partner and friend. In 1980 she was part of the founding group of Spiritual Growth Ministries and now serves on the Executive of the ACSD. Her ministry in spiritual direction, supervision and life coaching is called SOULSCAPE and is committed to helping people explore the landscape of the soul.

For most of her life Nola Myles found herself companioning people on their search for more meaning in life and so in order to do this more effectively she trained as a Spiritual Director in 1994. She had been a primary teacher, an office manager, a secretary/PA, as well as holding various leadership positions both within her denomination and ecumenically. She is currently the area co-ordinator for Spiritual Growth Ministries.
Nola lives in Dunedin where she offers spiritual direction, supervision and retreat leading. She regards the accompanying of folk on their journeys of faith and life as an immense privilege. Acapella gospel singing, embroidery and time in Central Otago add further colour to her life while adult children and grandchildren bring constant delight and challenge.

 

Faye Rive and her husband Lance were teachers before training as Salvation Army Officers. They were commissioned and ordained in 1967. They served together in educational, pastoral and administrative work in Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Fiji and Nigeria. They trained as Spiritual Directors (with SGM) In 1994-95. Faye lives in Auckland where she offers spiritual direction and supervision.

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