Wednesday 6 July 2016

News from the London Centre for Spirituality

The Courage to Connect



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.

Read more and book
 

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





And a reminder that giving to the Centre is effortless - and free - if you route your online shopping through easyfundraising. 



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.

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