The Staff

Kaye P. McKee, D.Min., Executive Director

Kaye's been married to David over half her life and they are parents to two incredible daughters, Arielle and Bethany. Kaye ministers through writing, spiritual direction, marriage counseling, conference and retreat leading, and teaching children. She is passionate about the art of writing and has been writing curriculum, magazine articles, teaching tapes, and books, including When God Walks Away: A Companion for the Journey Through the Dark Night of the Soul, for almost thirty years. Kaye recently completed her doctorate in Christian Nurture. Her Spirit Whispers project inspired the creation of A Spacious Place. Kaye also has a Masters degree in Religious Education with a Childhood Specialization and a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry. She's a fan of long walks, messy collaging, good books, and crunchy peanut butter.

Life motto: "We are all connected; our actions toward others shape our own souls."

Spirit Whispers

"I've got nothing against God. It's his fan club I can't stand"
(-bumper sticker on an Austin truck)

We are Jesus followers, called to be Christ in our city: to open arms wide in welcome, to offer spiritual nurture to the famished, to creatively and compassionately share our good news. We are Jesus followers, called to be Christ in our world: to lift cups of cold water to parched lips, to comfort the suffering, to hope for the hopeless.

Kaye's doctoral project, Spirit Whispers (1 Kings 19:11-13), seeks to serve creative people in Austin, Texas, by translating Gospel truth into the language of metaphor and by providing a welcoming space in which they may meet God through the creation of art: a space free of manipulation, shaming, or judgment. The Spirit Whispers arts guides received training in biblical metaphor, in pastoral-care principles, and in spiritual practice so they might provide true sanctuary for creatives.

Spirit Whispers began on January 6th, 2008, and ran for eight weeks. Participants in Spirit Whispers were welcomed to display their work in the Journey Warehouse during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.

Have a question about Spirit Whispers? Call us at 512-807-6863 or email Contact@aspaciousplace.com.

I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

Janettee Henderson, Ph.D., Board Member

Janettee is an experienced systems-trained therapist and workshop leader. She uses a systemic and collaborative approach to change in working with individuals, couples and families within the larger framework of spirituality as the guiding force in all of our lives.

Janettee has a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Master's degree in Human Development and Family Studies, both from Texas Tech University. Her Bachelor's degree in Psychology is from the University of Texas at Austin. She is an experienced presenter at the local, state and national level. As a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Janettee is currently in private practice in Austin, Texas.

Life motto: " Blessed are the flexible. For they shall not get bent out of shape."

Lanna Johnson, Board Member

Lanna is one of those Texans who "got here as soon as I could." Her first trip to Texas, from Michigan, was to complete basic training at Lackalnd AFB. She returned, pregnant with twin sons, a couple years later.

Lanna loves Texas and made it her home rather than returning to "south" Michigan. Actually, her family resides in Florida, so that's where Lanna heads to go home to see family.

"I believed I lacked artistic talent, yet have been lovingly encouraged and supported with comments like 'everyone is creative.' I truly believe the varied opportunities A Spacious Place offers are healing and encouraging, and I'm grateful to serve as be a board member helping to further those awesome opportunities. It's a loving gift for individuals in that in-between space to non-judgmentally explore their gifts and talents."

God's Best, Länna :)

Mike Lawrence, J.D., Board Member

Mike is an attorney who has practiced law in Austin for almost 30 years. For almost 20 years, he was a litigator in complex civil litigation, partner in a major Austin law firm. He is now practicing in a smaller firm, Lawrence & Stenson Law, and now splits his time between litigation matters, transaction work primarily in real estate and entertainment law, and pursuit of community activities including legal support and hands-on charitable work with his church and other nonprofit charity groups, including A Spacious Place, CapCityKids, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Austin Baptist Chapel and American YouthWorks. Mike is a firm believer in life after litigation.

As a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin ("Hook 'em, Horns"), Mike graduated with a Plan II BA with highest honors in 1974 and a JD with honors in 1977. He had the distinct privilege of doing his Plan II senior thesis with the mentoring of Dr. Charles Hartshorne exploring the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and the intricacies of process theology. Law school was quite a jolt.

He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif.

He and his wife, Kathie, have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Mike is an avid music lover and guitarist. He particularly treasures sharing music with children at the summer camps sponsored by A Spacious Place. He is also a writer; some of his poems and essays can be accessed at mikeyllikesit.

Arielle McKee, Board Secretary

Arielle McKee is a septalingual special agent with a flair for both Latin and Ballroom dances. She is skilled in six forms of martial arts, and is deadly with a crossbow—there is a warrant for her arrest in seven countries, and the European Union. In her spare time Arielle thoroughly trounces chess Grand Masters, and perfects her cello playing. Finally, she was indeed, single handedly responsible for the destruction of the "one ring" and the saving of Middle Earth, no matter what Mr. Tolkien tries to tell you. Of course, then she wakes up, goes to work, writes like a maniac, and zealously supports A Spacious Place.

Arielle, is a graduate of The University of Texas Austin, is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi.

Life motto: "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun." — Billy Joel

David E. McKee, Jr., Board Chair

Like his wife, Kaye, David has been married for more than half of his life. He was born a tar heel, but his two girls—Arielle and Bethany—keep try to say that he's a Yankee (North Carolina). David has a Bachelors in Psychology from Clemson University ("Go Tigers") and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary. He was ordained and worked in a few churches before beginning work in the insurance and financial services industries. For over twenty years, David has done compliance as well as tax, pension and securities law research (things to keep you up at night). He has also done software development and support, and serves as webmaster for A Spacious Place.

Computers and reading (C. S. Lewis rocks) are two favorite activities when relaxing; TaeKwonDo (with his daughter Bethany) and walking are two of his favorite exercises. He is a Third Degree, Level 3 black belt (Bethany is a Third Degree, Level 4 black belt; she likes being a higher rank than dad).

Life motto: "Give me chocolate and no one gets hurt!" or alternately: "Instant Human—Just add coffee!"

Dina Montgomery, Board Member

Dina has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 30 years, working in court, hospital and private practice settings in New York, Connecticut, Arizona and Texas. She did mediation in Tuscon in the mid-80s.

Dina is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She has been a member of The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, the Austin Association of Mediators, the Southwest Group Psychotherapy Association, the Junior League, and a Senior Member of the Academy of Family Members.

She is, as many of our Board members, a graduate of The University of Texas, Austin. Dina has a BA with Teacher's Certificate majoring in English and minoring in Latin, and a Master of Science in Social Work.

Beth Patterson, Board Treasurer

Beth has been a Board Member of A Spacious Place since it's inception. A true Yankee (just ask John), Beth was born and raised in Sterling, Massachusetts. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution with family roots to the Mayflower and the Boston Tea Party!

Beth is married to John, has 2 children and is a devoted Noni to their 3 grandchildren. She is a graduate of Worcester State College, cum laude with Bachelors degrees in Accounting and Spanish, a minor in Early Childhood Education and Beth is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

For over 26 years she has worked for a major corporation in the software marketing field as worldwide marketing operations programs manager and previously as the financial advisor. Also Beth has held positions as an auditor, in business controls and in the relocation tax organization.

Special interests: FAMILY, watercolorist, sketch artist, running, yoga, reading and UT sports (Hook 'em Horns!), as well as teaching Sunday school for pre-school and pre-K for the past 5+ years