Kristabeth Atwood, M.Div.

Spiritual Director, Writer, and Celebrant

Founder of Rites of Passage, LLC

Sometimes we choose change and sometimes change chooses us.

I’m Kristabeth Atwood and I help people connect with the sacred within and around them

For over 20 years, I’ve supported people through the transitions of their lives. During my 18 years as a church pastor, I walked with individuals and families through the spiritual and emotional aspects of life’s changes from birth to death.

Today, I bring my pastor’s heart to my work with people of all identities and faith, spiritual, and secular perspectives. I officiate weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies, and other unique life transition ceremonies and work one-on-one with people for spiritual direction and grief companionship. I also facilitate small groups for people to process the spiritual and emotional aspects of grief and change. Essentially, I hold space for people to connect with themselves, those around them, and the sacred, whatever that means to them.

Healing can come in many ways, both individually and collectively. Healing doesn’t always mean to cure or fix. In my work, I hold space for truth and vulnerability as my clients seek their inner wisdom and discern what healing means to them.

In addition to my professional experience, my personal journey through the joys and challenges of marriage, divorce, re-marriage, becoming a stepparent, relocation, career changes, and loss informs my work. As a survivor of violence and PTSD, I know the pain and disorientation life’s changes can cause. I bring my knowledge, experience, and gifts to help my clients to connect with their inner wisdom and enter the next season of life with intention.

E-mail me or schedule a free 20-minute introductory call if you would like to connect. You could also consider a discernment session. I look forward to talking with you about the transitions in your life.

~ Kristabeth

Kristabeth lives in Burlington, Vermont with her husband, Gary, and dogs Cider and Nigel. In her free time, you might find her walking in the woods, reading novels, cooking, or trying to brew the perfect cup of tea. She loves the music of Queen and her favorite novelist is Anne Tyler. Kristabeth’s ideal day would include a woods walk with her dogs followed by a cozy rest on the couch with tea and a good book (and the dogs, of course)!

Credentials: Master of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary, Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Southern Maine, Graduate of the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction Apprenticeship Program, Clinical Pastoral Education at The Chaplaincy Center in Rhode Island, Mediation Skills Training from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Tending the Fire Leadership Training in Systems Theory

Ongoing Continuing Education in Celebrancy, Spiritual Direction, Grief, and Life Transitions.

Memberships: Spiritual Directors International, International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants, Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals, Women Business Owner’s Network, American Marriage Ministries

Signer of the SEEK Safely Promise

Instructor at Celebrant Academy

“When I rise up/let me rise up joyful/like a bird. When I fall/let me fall without regret/like a leaf.”

~ Wendell Berry

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