Meet Our Training Staff

My spiritual formation began as a child with God as my imaginary playmate, playing, dancing, singing, and delighting together in the outdoors. This relationship, along with my own spiritual exploration, has shaped my ministries, leading me into a contemplative life of prayer and companioning others in spiritual direction and spiritual formation.

In October 2021, I founded a nonprofit, Center for Sacred Space, Inc, with the purpose of providing safe sacred space for all people to deepen their connection with the Divine, self, and others, and to live a contemplative life bringing peace, justice, and freedom into the world. I am the Director of The Art of Holy Listening, a spiritual direction training program, certified spiritual director and supervisor, and have a certificate in certified in spiritual formation. I offer spiritual direction, facilitate spiritual formation small groups, plan retreats, offer contemplative worship, build community in the neighborhood and through outdoor adventures.

I am a wife and mother of two adult married children. I enjoy camping, hiking, water sports, snow skiing, gardening, reading, playing pickleball, singing, liturgical dance, neighborhood gatherings, and porch time with friends.

I am a spiritual director and live in Auburn, Alabama. I completed spiritual direction training through Sacred Space at Blue Lake in 2020. I am also active in the Academy for Spiritual Formation. I was initially drawn to spiritual direction training with a desire to be a better listener. My passion for spiritual formation for myself and others and my training in spiritual direction uncovered a deep desire and need for a contemplative rhythm and rule of life.

I am a retired accountant and enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, reading, and making jewelry. I am active in my church and enjoy the time I spend with the ladies at Montgomery Women’s Facility and Tutwiler Prison discussing behavioral change, dignity and respect for themselves and for others.

Chris has a passion for seeing other people grow and be transformed into their true selves. As a psychotherapist and spiritual guide, he works with individuals and groups to facilitate an atmosphere to help foster a space where others can do their inner work leading to greater outer work. Chris holds a BS in Forestry from Auburn University, MDiv from Emmanuel Christian Seminary, and MS in Community Counseling from Columbus State University. He is a Certified Spiritual Director through the AL-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He lives in Auburn, AL. He is married and has two children. 

My training in the Art of Holy Listening, Class of 2012, transformed the way I live and move and have my being in world. Through it, I found a pathway for a deep contemplative life. Spirit has used this way of being to transform me, bringing me healing, hope, peace, and freedom I never thought possible.

In October of 2021, along with Kaye Westmark, I helped found Center for Sacred Space for the purpose of providing safe sacred space for all people to deepen their connection with the Divine, self, and others, and to live a contemplative life bringing peace, justice, and freedom into the world. My training in spiritual direction awakened in me a call to supervision and was a small group supervisor for the Art of Holy Listening, Class of 2020. I’m anticipating with joy serving as a small group supervisor for the Art of Holy Listening, Class of 2025. Witnessing the birth of spiritual directors has been one of my greatest joys and privileges.

I encounter the Holy through my husband of 36 years (Paul) and our children and grandchildren, nature and tending my gardens, at the beach, paddle boarding, and through my ministry of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, which includes facilitating small groups, teaching, and leading retreats.

I taught music for twenty years as a first career, then following two bouts with cancer, moved to Pensacola, Florida to do ministry. I have been in pastoral ministry for nineteen years, currently serving as Associate Pastor at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. I am a certified spiritual director. I am also certified in Enneagram. I began work with the Enneagram Personality Profile twelve years ago and was amazed at the transformational effect it had on me. I love sharing it with others. I have led numerous spiritual retreats as well as Enneagram training sessions around the Pensacola, Florida area and beyond.

My husband, Rev. Dr. Charles Avery passed away in July of 2020. I have two sons, two daughters-in-love, and three precious grandchildren. My joy is to help people find their own joy! I am very excited to be a part of the Sacred Space Leadership Team and look forward to empowering new spiritual directors.

Laura Vaughan has a heart for loving and supporting each person she encounters. A compassionate listener who invites others to share their story, she nurtures well-being, healing, and spiritual growth. Laura uses her gifts to assist others in embracing who they are and learning to trust and live into their own unique wisdom.  

Laura is from Shreveport, LA. She earned a degree in Christian Education from Centenary College and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction through the Louisiana Annual Conference.  She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, The Gathered Community of Spiritual Directors, and the Covenant Community of Spiritual Directors. She is the Executive Director of In Good Company Foundation which seeks to transform lives by tending hearts and furthering the growth of compassion and loving kindness through spiritual companionship, circles, retreats and other programming. She serves as the Registrar for The Narrative Enneagram.

Laura has been married to Benny for 40 years. They have two grown children and 5 amazing grandchildren. She enjoys time with family and friend, taking contemplative walks, reading, writing poetry, photography and living from a space of curiosity, wonder, and awe.