a sacred space a shared listening a sacramental hospitality
Course
in
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
An experiential learning opportunity for those who listen and pray with others
Autumn 2017 – Spring 2019
at
The Chelmsford Diocesan House of Retreat,
Pleshey, Essex.
Course in Spiritual Direction
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 some twenty 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 2017 to March 2019. It includes three residential periods and fourteen whole days. Residential periods will take place as follows: 12-14 Sept 2017; 17-18 Jan 2018; 18-20 Sept 2018. Course Days are usually on the first Thursday of each month. 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; and 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:
- Gill Frith (Church of England)
- Robert Griffiths (Church of England
- Lynsey Heslegrave (Baptist)
- Myra Hutchings (Church of England)
- Fran McEvoy (Roman Catholic)
- Jim McEvoy (Roman Catholic)
Applications
Application forms, which must be completed and returned by 15th March 2017, are obtainable from:
Course Administrator, franmcevoy@hotmail.com
Fran McEvoy,
25 Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea,
Essex,
SS0 9RY
Prospective candidates will be invited for interview. 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 Diocesan House of Retreat at Pleshey on 2nd & 3rd May 2017.
Those selected will be asked to confirm their place by the end of May 2017.
The total Course fee is £1,200. A deposit of £200 is required. The course may be paid for in full or in a further 20 monthly installments of £50 by direct debit. Ministerial grants may apply. Fees include all accommodation, food and refreshments.
If you have any questions
These can be discussed confidentially with Fran McEvoy – 01702 330178
email: franmcevoy@hotmail.com.
Consultants to the Core Group:
Revd. Philip Banks (Canon Precentor at Bury St Edmund Cathedral)
Revd. Ann Coleman [Spiritual Direction Co-Ordinator, Chelmsford Diocese]