Bio Overview
My legal and professional name is Stefanie Etzbach-Dale and I am founder of TendingSpirit . My preferred name is Batya Dale and my pronouns are she/her.
I have over thirty years of experience leading support groups, retreats, and rituals, doing public speaking, making art, and companioning individuals through private pastoral counseling, mentoring, chaplaincy, and coaching sessions.
An ordained Interfaith and Unitarian Universalist minister with specialized training in spiritual psychology, drawing largely form Jewish and Earth-Centered sources, I am deeply committed both to “the sacred ground of the present and to the creative power of the human imagination.”
I enjoyed many years of vibrant full-time service to UU ministry (2005-2018) before becoming affiliated with the UU Congregation of Palo Alto as Community Minister. In that capacity I am free to devote more of my time to Spiritual Direction, personal study, teaching, pulpit supply, community activism, and creative endeavors.
As member in good standing of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Spiritual Directors International, and the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, I most recently served the UU Congregation of San Mateo as Interim Pastoral Care Minister (May 2022-Oct 2023) and co-led the Reproductive Justice Team of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort. In addition to Unitarian Universalist pulpit supply, having an active spiritual direction client schedule, and serving as facilitator at the annual UU SpiritRest Retreat since 2018, I enjoy serving my synagogue (Congregation Beth Jacob) as an active lay leader.
Recent and current activities there include serving as volunteer facilitator for Tikvah, an initiative dedicated to empowering dialogue to counter polarization; leading monthly Beyond Words Torah Study & Art Sessions at CBJ and leading support circles for converts; offering Drashot several times a year; coordinating Elul resources; facilitating Yom Kippur programming; serving on the Adult Programming committee and the Sabbatical Planning Team; planning and leading the Omer Counting Support Circle and Shavuot Retreat. And, after 10/07/23, coordinating the multi-tiered Resilience Through Jewish Joy initiative, as part of which I coordinated an Art & Poetry Installation as part of our 2024 Shavuot Night of Learning.
Most recently I've been accepted into Aleph's two-year "Davenen Leadership Training" program, and am delighted to guide CBJ's Nurturing Neshama initiative focused on nurturing religious identity through a thoughtful blend of experiences enriching mind, body, and spirit. I particularly enjoy offering chanting and guided meditation sessions, teachings, and sound journeys - and encouraging others to share their own gifts.
In September 2024 I was recruited by the local PJCC to design and lead a group series entitled Life Unfolding: Spiritual Insights for Everyday Living - exploring a variety of themes through Jewish and secular sources. That program has been extended into 2025.
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Both my professional and personal approach is "pastoral and prophetic": focused on a deep reverence for life, the complexity of human experience, and the possibility of heart-centered personal and societal transformation .
As an artist, a mystic, and a student of the esoteric, I weave holy curiosity, expressive arts, and energy work into all that I do, no matter the context. I bring both reverence and humor, honoring the deeply personal work of creating a life of empowered, courageous compassionate and joyful integrity.
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Originally from Queens, New York, I now live on unceded Ohlone land in Redwood City, CA with my beloved, George, our cats: Malka and Shlomo, our dogs: Latke and Sufi, and our chickens: Hedwig, Beatrix, Harriet.
It is a joy to put down roots in this part of the country, to have friends and extended family living nearby (including my 92 year old mom and two out of three grandchildren) and to contribute to our communities in the ways that we can. We are lovingly renovating a nearby piece of land on Kings Mountain, situated under redwood trees, overlooking Half Moon Bay, CA. The property, which we named The Treehouse, includes a ceremonial circle, an art studio, and multiple outdoor spaces for small retreats, workshops, and rituals.
Visual Arts History: I have spent over 20 years weaving together words, music, and ritual as an ordained minister. My vision deteriorated significantly after I was infected with Lyme disease in 2015, necessitating early retirement. As my health improved and vision returned I took up painting as a way to celebrate the gift of sight. As a way to inspire neighbors during Covid 2020 I started displaying my paintings on the fence around my home. In September 2022 I displayed/sold my paintings for the first time as a Resident Artist at the Kings Mountain Art Fair in Woodside, CA, and learned that displaying/painting takes more time and energy than I can spare. I am glad to know that now, as it allows me to focus on the process, rather than the outcome.
I consider painting “a form of prayer, a way to transcend the limitations of time and space, and to connect deeply with the sacred ground of the present.”
I have delighted in collecting soil from distant beloved places, grinding and mixing it with linseed oil, and using that to paint those very places; and painting lightly over gold/glitter in order to convey the sacred sparks woven through creation. Combining scripture study with the arts through my monthly "Beyond Words" sessions offered at Congregational Beth Jacob has also been a tremendous joy.
On occasion I may gift or sell my paintings. Let me know if you'd like to know more about that.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you feel drawn to working with me as your Spiritual Director, are interested in having me speak, lead worship, ritual or a retreat for your community, or are interested in my art work. You can also visit my FaceBook page TendingSpirit, which offers original reflections and artwork.
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More Details related to Unitarian Universalist Ministry:
I was ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 2000; received my M.Div through Meadville Lombard Theological School (Chicago, ILL); was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist Minister by the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica, CA in 2005; and was granted Final Fellowship by the UUA in 2008.
In 2018 I completed the Interfaith Chaplaincy Institute's programs for Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Psychology. In 2019 I completed my 4th unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Sequoia Hospital (previous units were at NYU and UCLA). In 2020, just before lockdown, I completed a Supervisor's Training program through Spiritual Directors International.
I am affiliated with the UU of Palo Alto and recently served the UU of San Mateo (May 2022-October 2023) as contracted Pastoral Care Minister. Before that I served the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City as settled minister from 2014-2017. Prior to that I served various congregations in the Pacific Southwest District (including the UU Church of Santa Clarita Valley, the UU Fellowship of Kern County, the UU Fellowship of Laguna Beach, the UU Church of Verdugo Hills, the Sepuleda UU Society, Monte Vista UU Church, the UU Community Church of Santa Monica, First UU Church Los Angeles and others). While in the Pacific Southwest District I served as Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association Vice President, Good Officer, and Retreat Planner. I was cofounder of the Pacific Southwest District Addictions and Recovery Ministry Team and active in the San Fernando Valley Cluster.
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This website provides a small glimpse into my background and my approach to fostering resilience through attentiveness to the sacred amidst the mundane, and through consciously developing spiritual courage, compassion, creativity, and joy.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you feel drawn to working with me as your Spiritual Director, are interested in having me speak, lead worship, ritual or a retreat for your community, or if you're interested in my art work. You can also follow my FaceBook page TendingSpirit, which offers original reflections and artwork.
I have over thirty years of experience leading support groups, retreats, and rituals, doing public speaking, making art, and companioning individuals through private pastoral counseling, mentoring, chaplaincy, and coaching sessions.
An ordained Interfaith and Unitarian Universalist minister with specialized training in spiritual psychology, drawing largely form Jewish and Earth-Centered sources, I am deeply committed both to “the sacred ground of the present and to the creative power of the human imagination.”
I enjoyed many years of vibrant full-time service to UU ministry (2005-2018) before becoming affiliated with the UU Congregation of Palo Alto as Community Minister. In that capacity I am free to devote more of my time to Spiritual Direction, personal study, teaching, pulpit supply, community activism, and creative endeavors.
As member in good standing of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Spiritual Directors International, and the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, I most recently served the UU Congregation of San Mateo as Interim Pastoral Care Minister (May 2022-Oct 2023) and co-led the Reproductive Justice Team of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort. In addition to Unitarian Universalist pulpit supply, having an active spiritual direction client schedule, and serving as facilitator at the annual UU SpiritRest Retreat since 2018, I enjoy serving my synagogue (Congregation Beth Jacob) as an active lay leader.
Recent and current activities there include serving as volunteer facilitator for Tikvah, an initiative dedicated to empowering dialogue to counter polarization; leading monthly Beyond Words Torah Study & Art Sessions at CBJ and leading support circles for converts; offering Drashot several times a year; coordinating Elul resources; facilitating Yom Kippur programming; serving on the Adult Programming committee and the Sabbatical Planning Team; planning and leading the Omer Counting Support Circle and Shavuot Retreat. And, after 10/07/23, coordinating the multi-tiered Resilience Through Jewish Joy initiative, as part of which I coordinated an Art & Poetry Installation as part of our 2024 Shavuot Night of Learning.
Most recently I've been accepted into Aleph's two-year "Davenen Leadership Training" program, and am delighted to guide CBJ's Nurturing Neshama initiative focused on nurturing religious identity through a thoughtful blend of experiences enriching mind, body, and spirit. I particularly enjoy offering chanting and guided meditation sessions, teachings, and sound journeys - and encouraging others to share their own gifts.
In September 2024 I was recruited by the local PJCC to design and lead a group series entitled Life Unfolding: Spiritual Insights for Everyday Living - exploring a variety of themes through Jewish and secular sources. That program has been extended into 2025.
*
Both my professional and personal approach is "pastoral and prophetic": focused on a deep reverence for life, the complexity of human experience, and the possibility of heart-centered personal and societal transformation .
As an artist, a mystic, and a student of the esoteric, I weave holy curiosity, expressive arts, and energy work into all that I do, no matter the context. I bring both reverence and humor, honoring the deeply personal work of creating a life of empowered, courageous compassionate and joyful integrity.
*
Originally from Queens, New York, I now live on unceded Ohlone land in Redwood City, CA with my beloved, George, our cats: Malka and Shlomo, our dogs: Latke and Sufi, and our chickens: Hedwig, Beatrix, Harriet.
It is a joy to put down roots in this part of the country, to have friends and extended family living nearby (including my 92 year old mom and two out of three grandchildren) and to contribute to our communities in the ways that we can. We are lovingly renovating a nearby piece of land on Kings Mountain, situated under redwood trees, overlooking Half Moon Bay, CA. The property, which we named The Treehouse, includes a ceremonial circle, an art studio, and multiple outdoor spaces for small retreats, workshops, and rituals.
Visual Arts History: I have spent over 20 years weaving together words, music, and ritual as an ordained minister. My vision deteriorated significantly after I was infected with Lyme disease in 2015, necessitating early retirement. As my health improved and vision returned I took up painting as a way to celebrate the gift of sight. As a way to inspire neighbors during Covid 2020 I started displaying my paintings on the fence around my home. In September 2022 I displayed/sold my paintings for the first time as a Resident Artist at the Kings Mountain Art Fair in Woodside, CA, and learned that displaying/painting takes more time and energy than I can spare. I am glad to know that now, as it allows me to focus on the process, rather than the outcome.
I consider painting “a form of prayer, a way to transcend the limitations of time and space, and to connect deeply with the sacred ground of the present.”
I have delighted in collecting soil from distant beloved places, grinding and mixing it with linseed oil, and using that to paint those very places; and painting lightly over gold/glitter in order to convey the sacred sparks woven through creation. Combining scripture study with the arts through my monthly "Beyond Words" sessions offered at Congregational Beth Jacob has also been a tremendous joy.
On occasion I may gift or sell my paintings. Let me know if you'd like to know more about that.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you feel drawn to working with me as your Spiritual Director, are interested in having me speak, lead worship, ritual or a retreat for your community, or are interested in my art work. You can also visit my FaceBook page TendingSpirit, which offers original reflections and artwork.
*
More Details related to Unitarian Universalist Ministry:
I was ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 2000; received my M.Div through Meadville Lombard Theological School (Chicago, ILL); was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist Minister by the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica, CA in 2005; and was granted Final Fellowship by the UUA in 2008.
In 2018 I completed the Interfaith Chaplaincy Institute's programs for Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Psychology. In 2019 I completed my 4th unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Sequoia Hospital (previous units were at NYU and UCLA). In 2020, just before lockdown, I completed a Supervisor's Training program through Spiritual Directors International.
I am affiliated with the UU of Palo Alto and recently served the UU of San Mateo (May 2022-October 2023) as contracted Pastoral Care Minister. Before that I served the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City as settled minister from 2014-2017. Prior to that I served various congregations in the Pacific Southwest District (including the UU Church of Santa Clarita Valley, the UU Fellowship of Kern County, the UU Fellowship of Laguna Beach, the UU Church of Verdugo Hills, the Sepuleda UU Society, Monte Vista UU Church, the UU Community Church of Santa Monica, First UU Church Los Angeles and others). While in the Pacific Southwest District I served as Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association Vice President, Good Officer, and Retreat Planner. I was cofounder of the Pacific Southwest District Addictions and Recovery Ministry Team and active in the San Fernando Valley Cluster.
*
This website provides a small glimpse into my background and my approach to fostering resilience through attentiveness to the sacred amidst the mundane, and through consciously developing spiritual courage, compassion, creativity, and joy.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you feel drawn to working with me as your Spiritual Director, are interested in having me speak, lead worship, ritual or a retreat for your community, or if you're interested in my art work. You can also follow my FaceBook page TendingSpirit, which offers original reflections and artwork.