Lia Pender
Lia is an artist, a musician, a healer, and an open ear for just about anyone who needs one. She has been studying and practicing her faith for about 32 years is now the Distinctive Religious Group Leader (DRGL) at Fort Sill Open Circle at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. That has been her main passion for the past ten years ad she has absolutely no plans of slowing down any time soon.
It was always clear that creativity would be a huge part of Lia’s life. She was already singing and dancing by the time she started kindergarten, and always loved her crayons and markers more than any of her dolls and other toys. With a grandmother from Ireland, it seems to be no surprise that she was learning to sew and crochet before she got to middle school. Today, she loves to make costumes for Renaissance Festivals and holiday parties.
Vocal music has always been one of Lia’s best talents, and she also enjoys playing the guitar. It’s not at all uncommon to find her leading the Circle in a discussion about the impact that sound and music can have on a person, and how it can be used in many practices.
As a third-degree Reiki Master, the trainees at Fort Sill love to have Lia’s help with their recovery from both physical and emotional stresses. The guest room in her house frequently finds itself being used when friends need some Reiki help, as well. She has recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and is considering moving on to earn her Master’s. Most people say that Lia is easy to talk to and always seems to help people feel more at ease.
As an ordained Deaconess with Sacred Well Congregation and as Fort Sill’s DRGL, Lia is there every Sunday with the Basic Trainees from 0830 to 1130, and then with the Advanced Trainees, Permanent Party soldiers, and civilians from 1200 to about 1500. Every week brings a different topic of discussion, often with presentations and projects for those who attend to get involved in. New perspectives and ideas are always welcome, and Lia is almost always working on something new to do with everyone. A lot of people thank her for making these services available for them, but she always says that she should be thanking them for being there, since leading the Circle has helped her in a lot of ways, as well.
