London Centre for Spiritual Direction newsletter

Welcome to our July newsletter! Our letter of the month comes from Julie Dunstan who tells us more about next year's ongoing formation programme. We also have information about our Exploring Christian Spirituality course along with information from our friends and partners at The Retreat Association and the Ignatian Spirituality Course. If you are interested in knowing more about the Enneagram, there are just six places left on the 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' happening next Friday 14 July so please book your place today if you'd like to attend Our nascent blog is proving to be very popular so if you haven't discovered it, you might be interested in checking out some of the recent articles including: Gill Sewell writing on A Quaker's Journey Towards Spiritual Direction,  Antonia Lynn on Holding the Mystery and our very own Alison Christian on Why Did God Let This Happen?  If you have an idea for a blog article, please do get in touch with us at info@lcsd.org.uk  As a reminder, the Centre will be closed to the public from the 31 July to the 4 September although room bookings and individual meetings will happen as usual.  Letter from Julie Dunstan Introducing our new ongoing formation programme   The ministry of spiritual direction is deeply important to the life of the church and the world and so we need good company and nourishment for the journey. With our now-clear and single focus, the London Centre for Spiritual Direction can be even more dedicated to the needs of spiritual directors and their ongoing support and development. I'm delighted to announce our new and expanded ongoing formation programme for the coming year.  This year's Developing Direction programme includes a wider range of options and times and a rich blend of themes and practice issues. Our ever-popular programme of monthly Fridays continues with an exciting and inspiring range of speakers and topics. Deepening Direction goes into its second year - supporting those wishing to further develop the art of listening. New this year is a Poetry and Book Club meeting on Monday evenings; a series of workshops we are calling 'Reaching Out' which are designed to promote spiritual direction in the community; and some ad-hoc days and courses under the title, Practice Issues. In addition to this ongoing programme, there are still a few spaces left for the autumn intake of Encounter, our three year formation course. If you are interested in applying, please go to Encounter to find out more and download an application form. Alternatively, please email the Encounter Administrator kathy.redington@lcsd.org.uk Do have a really good browse (see below for further details and links) and sign up soon.  We’ve got a wonderful year ahead. With every blessing for the summer and we look forward to seeing you. Julie Dunstan julie.dunstan@lcsd.org.uk The Friday Programme Monthly programme of workshops Dates: Fridays beginning 6 October 2017 Cost: £380 to book the whole series (includes a £45 discount) or £45 per workshop The ongoing Friday programme resumes in October with a very rich series of days led by experienced and inspired practitioners. As spiritual directors it’s easy to feel isolated and somewhat depleted. This is a good chance to both find community and be nourished in the vital ministry you offer. Read more and book Deepening Direction: From Novice to Apprentice Dates: 9 Fridays monthly from 29 September 2017 to 20 July 2018 Cost £400 The purpose of the course is not to give more knowledge of topics linked to spiritual direction, but to offer the participants an experience of giving spiritual direction, and developing their craft through kindly observation, feedback, and reflection on what happened in each session. Read more and book Poetry and Book Club Dates: Monthly on Monday evenings, 6 - 8pm 9 October 2017 to the 11 June 2018 Cost: £100 for the whole course The Poetry and Book Club is a relaxed space for insight, inspiration, support and friendship for spiritual directors.  The group will decide on the poets and books for the year at our first meeting, with suggestions from the group leader. The books chosen will pertain to spiritual direction and the spiritual life. Read more and book Reaching Out Dates: Monday daytimes and evenings throughout September and October Cost: £45 per day; £25 per evening Reaching Out is a series of days and evenings to promote spiritual direction in the community. Weeks of Guided Prayer, or Weeks of Accompanied Prayer as they are also called, provide many people in the community with their first experience of spiritual direction. The Centre will be in the fore-front of promoting and providing this experience more widely in local churches. Read more and book Practice Issues Dates: To be announced Cost: £45 per day One-off days as the need arises, on various topics on issues related to your practice as a spiritual director. Topics planned include Supervision for Spiritual Directors and Safeguarding for Spiritual Directors. This part of the programme may be added on an ad-hoc basis throughout the year. Read more and book Early Bird Discount: Book before end of September Exploring Christian Spirituality (ECS) Dates: Monday Afternoons, 2pm - 4:45pm from 20 Nov 2017 to 21 May 2018 Cost: £390 full cost; £360 if booked before 30 September 2017 Once again, ECS will be a simple, non-academic course facilitated by John-Francis Friendship and Nicola Mason. It is open to people of all faith traditions and none who are interested in exploring the tradition of Christian Spirituality. Read more and book From our Friends and Partners... Applications are invited for two courses run by our friends at the Ignatian Spirituality Course, beginning at the end of September: - A 3-year, in-depth training in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and Art of Spiritual Direction: Informed by the study of, and the wisdom and insight found in Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises.  Read more here  -  A 1-year 'Top-Up' course: if you are already a trained and practising spiritual director, this course will inform and enhance your skills and practice.  Read more here For more information and to book your place, please email the ISC Administrator   Invitation to the Retreat Association Summer Event The Retreat Association is holding their Summer Event Friday 14 July 2017  at The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, Limehouse, London.   Read more and book