Rev Dr Jane Leifer

Jane began individual and group counseling in her early 20s. The main modality for her work was Psychosynthesis and she was associate director of the Canadian Institute of Psychosynthesis in Montreal.  She led training programs throughout North America and in Europe. She trained in Jungian psychology, gestalt, trauma work, focusing and mindfulness practice. 

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Her academics include:  Masters in counseling from the University of New Hampshire and Mdiv (equivalency) and Doctorate in Ministry from the Theological School at Drew University. Her doctoral thesis was, 'New Wine, New Wineskin, Transformation in Small Groups."-2005

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Being an early graduate (1984) of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Jane continues to work as a spiritual director for clergy, those in religious orders, and lay people. 

 

Over the years she has created house churches to serve those who were estranged from their original faith tradition. Using a small group model Jane integrated traditional Christian practice with eastern and western contemplative spiritual practices. She led contemplative prayer groups in her own Episcopal Church and brought this group model to other denominations and religious communities in Canada and in the US.

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In the 80's and 90's Jane and her (now deceased) husband, Richard, developed a Psychosynthesis model to facilitate organizational development and change.  As a mother of two son, Jane went on to work part-time as organizational consultant to large corporations, non-profits, and schools, She also consulted and coached church leadership during times of spiritual renewal, organizational development and critical times of change. 

 

As founder of Pilot Light Training Program she has led training programs in spiritual counseling in both the United States and in Canada.

 

Presently, as a Spiritual Director and Pastor of Pilot Light Fellowship, her calling is to support each person’s own relationship to God (In my Father's house there are many rooms.- John 14:2) Through intimacy, a personal relationship with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, it is natural to then live a life of service, to God and our neighbor. For Jane that service is through small group faith communities based on the founding principles that Jesus taught: "Dwell in me and I will dwell in you.[live in me and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit without being united to the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me.[in what I am]. John 15:4