Anita Smith Buckwalter has been pastoring in the Lansing congregation since 1977. She is a practical theologian and her style of leadership reflects an integration of her varied life experience. She has been a public school teacher and guidance counselor. She has provided leadership for the church’s camping, recreation and outdoor ministries programs. She has also worked in community theater. She is a mother and grandmother. She has served in many leadership capacities in the denomination including chairing the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Anita’s gifts include creating rituals to mark life’s passages and transitions. Liturgies of blessing and healing are a significant ingredient in her ministry.

Anita served as a co-pastor with her spouse, Richard for 22 years.  She was his primary caregiver when he was diagnosed with A.L.S. For nine years they dealt with his progressive loss of ability to move, eat, breathe and speak, and the myriad changes those losses brought to their  professional, domestic and intimate partnership.

Pastor Anita knows the energy and healing available by being attentive to the experiences of one’s whole being – body, mind and spirit. She has had additional training and experience in several specialized areas of ministry.

• Pastor Anita is available for Individual guidance with persons who seek a companion for their spiritual journey. She is a spiritual director trained through the St. Francis Retreat Center and The Dominican Center for Spiritual Development.
• Expanding on the Brethren tradition of anointing with oil for healing Pastor Anita is a certified massage therapist through Lansing Community College.
• With her friend and colleague, Deanna Brown, Pastor Anita is available as a retreat leader.  They have facilitated women’s spirituality retreats, Jubilee Birthday celebrations, Solstice Labyrinth retreats, a retreat focused on feminist rituals for life’s losses, women’s Good Friday rituals and Sabbathtime retreats.