Upcoming events
LCSD Book Club: The Way of the Desert Elders
The LCSD Book Club is returning this autumn with a book pick that will help us engage what is often cited as one of the earliest examples of spiritual direction: the Desert Mothers and Fathers. Together, we will read Lisa Colón Delay’s wonderful book, published earlier this year: The Way of the Desert Elders: How the Wisdom of Ancient Christians Sustains Us Today.
Growing in God’s Life: Exploring four recurring movements within spiritual development
In the Bible spiritual growth is likened to the natural development processes of plants, and the part played by gardeners, whether human or divine. Growing in God’s Life will explore four recurring movements of this growth:
Becoming rooted and grounded in God
Emerging into being in response to God’s invitation
Struggling towards abundance through resistance
Bearing fruit and being willing to fall
These four are recurring movements, not stages.
Growth takes place gradually through a cooperative relationship between the Holy Spirit and our human spirit, rather than by self-made achievement.
Jesus, the teller of parables, invites us to hold the mystery of creation in mind and heart, like seed in the hand of a sower. ‘Look’, he says, ‘see what happens if you are grounded in God’s good soil. Behold the wonder of who you are and what you might become.’
Group Spiritual Direction
Do you want to explore how Group Spiritual Direction could support your calling and practice as a spiritual director?
Join us for an engaging, interactive workshop facilitated by Kathy Gust. Group Spiritual Direction offers a profound way for small groups to support one another’s spiritual growth, increase awareness of God’s presence, and listen more deeply to God, themselves, and each other.
This workshop offers participants the opportunity to reflect on the benefits and essentials of Group Spiritual Direction, explore different ways it can be offered, and discern how it might fit their ministry or practice at this time. Through this workshop, participants will be able to:
Name ways Group Spiritual Direction can support spiritual growth and deepen awareness of God’s presence for individuals and communities
Recognise the essentials of Group Spiritual Direction Describe different ways Group Spiritual Direction can be offered
Begin to discern how Group Spiritual Direction fits their own calling and context.
Safeguarding Bolt-On
Supplementary workshop on safeguarding in Spiritual Direction. Build on Level 1 training with focused, practical insights.
Sacred Pathways: Renewing Your Practice, Voice, and Vision
A series of three interactive and reflective sessions, aimed particularly at graduates of Encounter, but open to all community members, that seeks to:
1. reground new (or weary!) spiritual companions in their practice,
2. empower you to develop your unique charisma,
3. reconnect you with a vision for spiritual direction in the church and wider community.
Ignatian Wisdom for the Journey: Practices for Desire, Discernment and Deep Encounter
This session explores how Ignatian spirituality, rooted in desire, discernment, and deep encounter, can enrich the practice of Spiritual Direction. We’ll draw on insights from neuro-theology and the science of identity formation to reflect on how God works through our minds, emotions, and embodied experiences. Drawing from the wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola and the Exercises, we’ll consider how practices like the Examen, discernment of spirits, and imaginative prayer can foster authentic encounters with God in daily life. We will also explore how desire can be more than a personal feeling, it is a spiritual compass that leads us into God’s transforming love.
Circling Around God: Working with a Directee’s Shifting Images of the Divine
Those we accompany in spiritual direction come with myriad images of God—images gifted to them, images imposed upon them, images that bring deep comfort, and images that create tension or struggle. God is rock, shepherd, father, mother, spirit, source-of-all-being—and sometimes God is “I don’t know.” In direction, we are invited to hold these shifting divine imaginings with reverence, compassion, and curiosity.
Refresher Course for Spiritual Directors
LCDSD offers a flexible program for spiritual directors to review basics such as active listening, good practice, and learn new skills like creative responses. Refresh your practice with practice group to help grow and increase your confidence.
Listening for the Way: Companioning the Discernment and Embodiment of a Rule of Life
In this session, we’ll explore how to help directees discern and live into a personal Way of Life that aligns with their values, vocation, and season of life.
We’ll reflect on ancient monastic wisdom as well as contemporary applications of this practice. You’ll learn how to hold space for discernment, structure, and sustainability in Spiritual Direction. This workshop is ideal for Directors who want to support others in crafting a life-giving rhythm that holds both structure and grace.
Encounter Open Evening
If you’’re interested in training as a spiritual director, come to our open evening for Encounter, our 3 year Formation Programme in the Art and Ministry of Spiritual Direction
Safeguarding Bolt-On
Supplementary workshop on safeguarding in Spiritual Direction. Build on Level 1 training with focused, practical insights.