Spiritual Care and Connection: Request a Conversation
Butler students, faculty, and staff are busy. In the midst of all the many priorities of academics, campus life, and working towards one’s future, sometimes we need to pause, breathe, and get support. The Center for Faith and Vocation staff as well as our CFV Community Advisors are available for conversations, making connections, and offering care.
Following the Butler University Covid-19 Guidelines, the CFV can be offered through virtual platforms like Zoom, Facetime, or phone calls.
Why request a spiritual care conversation?
We are here to listen, provide a non-judgmental and non-anxious space, reflect back, and think out loud about next steps if needed. Different CFV Community Advisors may be connected to particular religious or secular traditions that inform that advisor’s approach. These conversations are a source of support and they may be ongoing, one-time only, or steering to another resource on campus.
Common topics discussed in these conversations include:
- Stress and change
- Making a decision for the future
- Relationships and community
- Topics related to identity, including but not limited to gender, sexuality, race, class, culture, ability, and religious tradition
- Theological or spiritual questions, concerns, and ideas
- Seeking meaning and purpose
What a spiritual conversation is not:
This is not clinical treatment, nor is it an emergency response resource.
Confidentiality
CFV staff and advisors who are ordained in their tradition can offer confidentiality. CFV staff and affiliates who are not ordained, while able to offer a high level of privacy, are obligated to report to relevant campus contacts if a crime, sexual misconduct, or the abuse of a minor is disclosed. If you would like more information about reporting obligations related to Campus Security Authorities, visit https://www.butler.edu/bupd/bupd-campus-security-authorities.
For information about reporting obligations related to sexual misconduct, visit https://www.butler.edu/sexual-misconduct/employees.
For more information about how the University responds to reports of sexual misconduct, visit https://www.butler.edu/sexual-misconduct/university-response.
Those listed below with an asterisk* by their name are confidential resources.
Who would you like to have a Spiritual Care Conversation with?
Conversation Partners
Father Charles Allen*
Father Charles Allen is an Episcopal Priest and community advisor for Grace Unlimited. He is nonjudgmental and does not urge his own outlook on others.
Sally Childs-Helton, PhD
Sally Childs-Helton, PhD, is the faculty advisor for the Secular Student Alliance. She is a Unitarian Universalist and conversant with the many forms secular belief takes. She understands being a seeker or questioner, the journey from being religious to being secular, and the challenges of being secular in the university community.
Gina Forrest, PhD
Dr. Gina is a native Hoosier and wants to make Indiana a more inclusive and healthier state. She has earned a MPH and a PhD in Health Behavior from IU-Bloomington. Gina has been in the field of training/facilitating discussions in the areas of diversity, equity, andinclusion—and she enjoys being a resource for you!
Leigh Heydenburg
Leigh Heydenburg began serving as the affiliate for Butler United Methodist Student Movement in July, 2019. She grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she actively became involved in First United Methodist Church Youth Ministries. She gained experience at Michigan State University through mentoring students. She is passionate about spreading Jesus’ love and building strong relationships through discipleship.
Tricia McCarthy
Tricia McCarthy is the Director of the Butler Catholic Community. She has her Masters in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and has been working in pastoral ministry for five years. She is a welcoming listener to questions of faith, transition, and general college life.
Rev. Daniel Meyers*
Rev. Daniel Meyers is available to listen and reflect as an active listener without judgement. As a conversation partner, Daniel hopes to help students, faculty, and staff reflect and in some cases find next steps as they navigate the concerns, questions, challenges, and celebrations most relevant to them.
Pastor Seth Mierow*
Pastor Mierow serves the congregation of St Peter’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) and is the Lutheran campus pastor for Butler, IUPUI, and UIndy. He has over 10 years of experience with campus outreach, Bible study, teaching, pastoral care, and counseling.
Linda Nikcevich
Linda believes in the expansive love of Jesus and loves creating community and making others feel included. She has been involved in vocational ministry through Young Life for thirty years, and her love for Butler and its students runs deep. She is married to Jack, and they have two grown daughters and one grandchild.
Marguerite Stanciu
Marguerite Stanciu is Advisor to Butler Meditation, a secular, student led group comprised of students interested in cultivating wellness through Mindfulness practice in daily life. Marguerite is a practitioner in the Buddhist tradition and an authorized Mindfulness Meditation Instructor and Teacher who loves to help students to connect with their own strength and goodness through meditation and community.
Fr. David Wey*
Fr. David Wey was ordained to the Orthodox priesthood in 2005 and has served as the full-time parish priest to Ss. Constantine and Elena Orthodox Church since September 2006. Fr. David serves as the Rector of Hagia Sophia Classical Academy and is the Religious Adviosor for Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) at Butler.
Matt Williams
Matt Williams is passionate about helping student-athletes learn how to become a Total Athlete by integrating their faith and sport. He believes in the expansive love of Jesus and loves creating community and making others feel included.