Valerie E. Hess

I am an American author, instructor in the Spring Arbor University's Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership (MSFL)program, retreat speaker, musician, mother and pastor's wife. My husband is an Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Colorado. I have two daughters.

I have been very involved with Renovare USA, the small group movement that grew out of Richard Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline. I write and lead workshops and retreats on the Spiritual Disciplines. My book, written with co-author Dr. Marti Watson Garlett, 'Habits of a Child's Heart: Raising Your Kids with the Spiritual Disciplines' is published by NavPress (2004). "Spiritual Disciplines Devotional: A Year of Readings" (InterVarsity Press) was published in 2007. 'The Life of the Body: Physical Well-Being and Spiritual Formation,' co-authored with Lane M. Arnold (InterVarsity Press), will be available early 2013.

I served six years on the National Board for the 'Leadership Program for Musicians Serving Small Congregations' (LPM), a cooperative ecumenical continuing education program for 'under trained' church musicians and taught in a local LPM program. I received my Masters in Church Music and Organ from Valparaiso University. I have a B.A. in Music and Psychology from Metropolitan State College in Denver. I am currently the Coordinator of Music Ministries for Trinity Lutheran church in Boulder, Colorado.

I am one of the music reviewers for the American Recorder Society's national magazine and I was one of the main editors for Chautauqua Porches, a community cookbook in honor of the Boulder Chautauqua's hundredth anniversary in 1998. My newest hobby is playing American Mah Jongg.