Susannah Crolius, M. Div. (she/hers) is a spiritual director, creative practitioner and retreat leader. She is the founder of the art + soul community. 
 
An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for over 25 years serving suburban and urban congregations as well as Hospice Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator, Susannah chose to step away from denominational identity and institutional ministry to explore more generative forms of spiritual community and practice. She received a grant to cultivate an innovative two-year project exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity to expand the language of the spiritual life, deepen the practice of one’s faith and build authentic community. This project unfolded into the
art + soul community, a virtual and in-person gathering place for seekers and creatives to be curious, questioning and imaginative together about our deepest stories.
 
Susannah has led retreats at several retreat centers in New England, as well as collaborating with the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine,
Springfield College Art Therapy Department, Smith College, the Enchanted Circle Theater (Holyoke, MA), the Cancer Connection (Northampton, MA), the national Reimagine Campaign (conversations on grief and on issues of end-of-life), many faith communities, and social service and community organizations, including libraries and public schools. 
 
Susannah’s own spiritual practice is as a writer and an artist, creating altars and shrines from found objects. She lives in Western Massachusetts in a house from 1812 with her partner Thom and their rescue dog Lucy.  She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and is completing an 18-month program with the organization Spirituality and Practice to be a Spiritual Literacy facilitator.

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