Minister. Author. Poet.

Exploring "More Things" Together

Glad you’re here as we talk together about what it means to be human, find meaning, and delight in words that soothe and challenge our souls

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I'm a facilitator helping people make connections across belief systems and across perceived divides, through conversation, connection, and community.

Why "More Things"?

Ordained since 1991,

I’ve met people all over the world, I’ve read books from most religious traditions, and have been to services held by countless religious and spiritual traditions.

I’ve preached in locations across the country and a few times internationally. I’ve spoken, taught, written, and I come back to Hamlet’s lines by William Shakespeare “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” That’s why I’m here, so we can explore those “more things” together.

My writing is about hope in a world imbued with beauty and mystery, injustice and discrimination. I am happiest when I'm connecting people to other people, connecting people to their religious or spiritual tradition, people to their Higher Power (called God or Spirit or called by another name), and helping people connect or reconnect back to the natural world. I stress bake. You'll find me baking cookies if I'm leaving town, or have a big project due, and you might find baked goods delivered outside your door.

The Blog

Insights & Interviews

Dive into the lives of those involved in”more things” plus some of my own insights.

Preaching at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IL

Susan Baller-Shepard November 28, 2023

Preaching at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IL “5 Steps Closer” https://secondpres.com/media/qvzq2yq/5-steps-closer

Book Trailers & Poetry & the Spoken Word

Susan Baller-Shepard September 2, 2023

I love the spoken word in countless contexts. I love audiobooks, I love when people read their work, I love to hear good sermons. I ...

Jody Hobbs Hesler’s story Collection “What Makes You Think You’re Supposed to Feel Better”

Susan Baller-Shepard August 29, 2023

Jody Hobbs Hesler’s New Book “What Makes You Think You’re Supposed to Feel Better” from Cornerstone Press : Author Jody Hobbs Hesler You can hear ...

About Susan

Little Known Fact: My friends and I helped start the first girls swim team at our high school because we did not take no for an answer. That experience resonates with me to this day.

My writing is about hope in a world imbued with beauty and mystery, injustice and discrimination. I am happiest when I’m connecting people to other people, connecting people to their religious or spiritual tradition, people to their Higher Power (called God or Spirit or called by another name), and helping people connect or reconnect back to the natural world. I stress bake. You’ll find me baking cookies if I’m leaving town, or have a big project due, and you might find baked goods delivered outside your door.

Testimonials

Working With Susan

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Sue both as a clergy colleague and as a fellow writer. A poet at heart, she has the gift of ferreting out the truth that lies beneath the words — in both her own work and that of others. If you need a fierce and generous companion on the writing journey, you have just found her.”

—The Rev. Ruth Everhart

Author of The #MeToo Reckoning, Ruined, and Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land

“Susan Baller Shepard excels in every aspect of her professional life: as a minister, a poet and author. And she does this while also being a superb wife, mother and friend to those privileged to know her. She is one of the most generous people I know with her time, treasure and talent. I have participated in many poetry readings with her over the years, and have interviewed her as a clergy woman on many occasions in my capacity as a working journalist. In all of her endeavors, she epitomizes excellence: always prepared, engaging and insightful. In short, a person who moves through life with beauty and grace.”

—Judith Valente

Author of How to Live; How to Be; The Art of Pausing; Atchison Blue and the poetry collection Discovering Moons.