The Course in Spiritual Direction
After a number of years being 'directed' some may feel called to look at
becoming a spiritual director themselves. There are a number of courses
available in the South East:
The Essex and East London Course in Spiritual Direction is an ecumenical course for mature Christians. It is a five term course with twenty participants and a core group of six. These twenty six people are from different strands of Christianity, both lay and ordained.
The present core group come from the Methodist, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.
The course has been running, with different core groups, for some fifteen years with the aim of developing Christian souls to the point where they can act as Spiritual Directors and help others discern where the Holy Spirit is leading them. The course aims to cover all areas of spirituality and is heavily experiential, requiring a high degree of openness and willingness to share.
Course in
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
An experiential learning opportunity for
those who listen and pray with others
Autumn 2010 - Spring 2012
at
The Chelmsford Diocesan House of Retreat, Pleshey, Essex
Spiritual Direction is a one-to-one ministry of prayer and listening. The Course in Spiritual Direction is an ecumenical one, sponsored by the Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops of the diocese, which has been offered for over ten years. It is open to lay and ordained Christians of all traditions. It takes place at the Retreat House in Pleshey, a quiet place, offering space for prayerful reflection and spiritual renewal.
The Aim of the Course is to provide an opportunity for course members to grow in spirituality and personal development. Through shared experience, participants will be challenged to a deeper awareness and effectiveness as they help others discover what God is doing in their lives.
The Course Members will be a group of up to twenty people who are engaged in one-to-one prayer or listening. They will be open to growth, willing to share at a deep level and ready to accept supervision. They should have a mature faith, be emotionally stable and be prepared to bring responsible and wholehearted commitment to the Course.
The Course Programme runs from September 2010 to March 2012. It includes three residential periods and fourteen whole days. Residential periods will take place as follows: 14-16 Sept 2010; 12-13 Jan 2011; 20-22 Sept 2011. Course days are normally on the first Thursday of each month, with the exception of April and August. The day begins at 9.30am and ends at 4.00pm.
Methodology Prayer, reflection, discussion and discernment will be used alongside input and practical exercises in this experiential course.
The course will explore
-
the nature of Spiritual Direction
-
individual faith journeys and spiritual pilgrimage
-
listening skills
-
images of God
-
different traditions of spirituality
-
the interface between spirituality, gender, personality and human development
-
the practical skills needed in Spiritual Direction
The Course is planned and facilitated by a Core Group who bring the experience of having previously participated in the course. They are:
• Philip Banks (Church of England)
• Gill Frith (Church of England)
• Fran McEvoy (Roman Catholic)
• Jim McEvoy
(Roman
Catholic)
• Tom Page (Church of England)
• Hilary Smith (Methodist)
Applications
Application forms, which must be completed and returned by 8th March 2010, are obtainable from:
Course Administrator
Fran McEvoy
E-mail: fran[at]spiritual-direction-in-essex.org
(for [at] use the symbol @ - as in a normal e-mail address)
Prospective candidates will be invited for interview. Those
selected will be asked to confirm their place
by the end of May 2010. The aim of the selection process is
to discern whether the course is appropriate
for the candidate at this time. Selection interviews will
take place at the Brentwood Diocesan House of
Retreat at Abbotswick on 29 & 30 April 2010.
The total Course Fee: Fees may be paid in five termly
installments of £170, or by monthly standing order
at £50 per month (17 payments,
£850 in total).
Ministerial grants may apply. Fees include all accommodation,
food and refreshments.
If
you have any questions
These can be
discussed confidentially with Fran McEvoy (see above)
Consultants to the Core Group:
• Canon Roger Matthews Bishop's Adviser for Mission & Ministry
• Linda Barnard, Julie Cristin, Hilary Davey, Brian Devine Previous Course Core Group members
a sacred space
a shared listening
a sacramental hospitality