We know
that many of you like to plan ahead and so we have packed this
newsletter full of dates for your diary for the upcoming academic
year. We have a diverse programme in 2016/2017 from a new
course for couples starting in September 2016 to our regular
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land happening in June 2017.
We're also pleased to announce the details of The Courage to
Connect: London Spirituality Centre Network Day which will be held
on Saturday 26th November 2016.
And, if you enjoyed attending our Developing Direction series of
one day workshops for spiritual directors, we will be offering our
next Developing Direction series programme from January 2017 - look
out for more information about Developing Direction in the autumn.
And finally, from Monday 1st August to Friday 2nd September
(inclusive), the Centre will be closed to the public but rooms will
still be available for hire. We will reopen on Monday 5th
September.
The Courage to Connect
LSC Network Day
THE COURAGE
TO CONNECT News,
Nourishment and Networking The London
Spirituality Centre Network Day Saturday, 26th
November 2016 10.30 for an
11.00 start – 4.30
Cost: £30 (Full price); £25 (early bird bookings made before 14th
October 2016)
A time to:
o Connect with other spiritual directors
o Hear the latest news from the Centre;
o Find out about the growing Community of Spiritual
Directors;
o Pray together and bless one another in our
ministry;
o Be inspired for the work.
In the morning, Rosemary Lain-Priestley, Associate Archdeacon of the
London Diocese and the Chair of Trustees for The London Spirituality
Centre, will share something of her enthusiasm for ‘seeing God in the
everyday’ and encourage our own work of helping others do the same.
Rosemary is an engaging speaker and gifted writer; and has
published several books, including The Courage to Connect and
Unwrapping the Sacred.
In the afternoon, Antonia Lynn, an experienced spiritual director, a
Roman Catholic and currently a member of the Centre’s ‘Senior Team’,
will speak. Antonia will be looking back at the Jubilee Year of
Mercy and what its fruits might be for spiritual direction – in a
talk entitled: Mercy, The Ministry of Spiritual Direction and
Mission. Antonia’s talk will arise from her current doctorate
studies in practical theology.
Stop Press Pilgrimage/Retreat to the Holy Land -
Change of dates!
In view of
feedback that John-Francis has received about temperatures in the
Holy Land, John arranged a change of dates so that the pilgrimage
will take place early in the summer.
The revised dates are: Pilgrimage
to the Holy Land - June 5th-16th, 2017 Journey to
Jordan (optional extension) - June 16th-20th, 2017
The aims of this pilgrimage/retreat are to: encounter Christ
through the Land by travelling from Nazareth to Jerusalem and
visiting many of the places associated with His life; offer ways of
encountering God through prayer, liturgy and meditation; engage in
an inner journey of 'come and see' in order to encounter Christ
afresh in the depth of our being; and enjoy ourselves.
The cost of the Pilgrimage is £1,870 and £740 for the Jordan
extension, all inclusive and sharing a twin-bedded room with
private facilities To find out more, please register here to
request a full brochure with information about how to book your
place.
The price and programme remain unchanged, but the heat should be
less! A brochure is available by emailing the Centre
or John-Francis
Friendship
Short Courses - Autumn 2016
One plus
One: A Course for Couples 6.30-8.30 on
Wednesday evenings: Sept 28, Oct
12 & 26 ,Nov 9 & 23, Dec 7th Cost: £450
per couple
Relationship brings both joy and challenge to those who risk loving
another person, and we can be helped by learning ways to
communicate these with clarity, understanding and kindness.
In 6 fortnightly sessions, covering family history, money, conflict
and intimacy you will be introduced to a way of listening and
communicating which will invite deeper acceptance and understanding
of each other. This is not intended for couples in crisis, but is
suitable for new or longer-term couples wishing to go deeper in
their commitment to each other. We are hoping to run with 6-8
couples. Read more and book
Exploring
Christian Spirtuality Led by
John-Francis Friendship Starts
October 24th, 2016 - 24th April 2017: 19 sessions over two terms
(There will be breaks for Christmas and Easter) Monday
afternoons 2 - 4.45pm Cost: Early
Bird Fee - £320 if booked before 26th September; Full Cost: £370
The Course is open to people of all traditions, those of other
faith groups, and any who are interested in exploring the theme of
Christian Spirituality. The Course aims to: help you
reflect on your own spiritual journey; learn about different ways
of praying, develop your own spirituality, introduce you to the art
of Spiritual Direction, help you explore how to integrate prayer
and life, learn about some of the great traditions of Christian
Spirituality and reflect on Biblical themes and insights into the
life of the Spirit. Read more and book
(re)Connecting with God Facilitated
by Annette Kaye & Julian Maddock Time/Dates:
Monday evenings, 6:00 – 8.30pm from the 29th
September to 6th December (no class on the 24th October as this is
half term) Cost:
£250
This
group is for anyone wishing to explore their spirituality in an
open and non-partisan way. It is an opportunity to discover more
about who you are, what you want from life, what life wants from
you, and who or what God is for you. ‘God’ is a tricky word and we
all mean something different by it. We trust that God is good and
is at work in us and in our lives, and this group offers the space
and some tools for us to pay attention, notice, listen and connect
to this God. Our exploration together is experiential and will
involve exercises on our own and in groups, sharing experiences and
learning from each other. Read more and book
Deepening
Direction: From Novice to Apprentice: A year-long development
course Cost: £400
Dates: Fridays, 11 - 4pm 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 9 Dec,
3 Feb, 3 Mar, 31 Mar, 28 Apr, 9 Jun, 7 July
This year, as part of the Developing Direction Programme, we are
offering a unique chance to develop the craft of listening and
discernment through intensive practice and feedback, with
experienced spiritual directors The course is aimed at
spiritual directors with a little experience at their craft, but
who have not had enough opportunity to take their practice to a
more competent, confident and relaxed level. It is open to
people who have completed a training somewhere (ISC, Encounter,
SPIDIR, etc.), and have had at least one year’s relationship with
at least one directee post training. Read more and book
The Church of St Edmund, the home
to the Spirituality Centre is open from Monday to Friday from
10.00am to 3.00pm offering a peaceful and contemplative resource.
There are quiet areas for reading and prayer. Fresh coffee is
available for a small donation.
