The following blessing was co-created by members of the LCSD community during a communal “river examen” in January 2026 and edited into its final form by Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen. We offer it as a blessing for all spiritual companions in the year to come!

This reflective review invites directees to review the past year using the rhythm of the seasons as a framework. By exploring experiences of growth, loss, dormancy, and renewal, this seasonal review helps individuals notice God’s presence across the year and identify emerging invitations. Ideal for use in spiritual direction sessions, end-of-year reflection, or retreat settings.

“Maybe we don’t need to get out of the cave.
Maybe we need to go farther in.”
— Barbara Brown Taylor

A Christmas reflection by Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen on darkness, faith, and the courage to trust God in hidden places.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Mary and Charles Hipsley as they discuss their new book, Reimagining the Landscape of Faith: Essential Pathways for Spiritual Growth. As experienced spiritual directors, Mary and Charles offer deep insights into navigating the often bewildering journey of faith—especially when the spiritual maps we've inherited no longer lead us where we hoped, or when the map no longer matches the landscape we find ourselves in.

In this blog, Dr Antonia Lynn explores the sacred role of supervision in spiritual direction, drawing on the rich symbolism of the Hodogetria icon. It reflects on supervision as a space of healing, growth, and support that enables both director and directee to engage more deeply with the mystery of God.

This blog explores how creativity—through poetry, mark-making, and the French Pantoum—can enrich spiritual direction. It revisits Peter Huitson’s insights as an Encounter student, offering inspiration and practical tools to deepen listening, expression, and connection with the sacred.

Maria Manuela Silva talks with John-Francis Friendship about his new book and the power of the Sacred Heart.

John-Francis Friendship shares from his new book “Heart of My Own Heart” on the power of the Sacred Heart and what it invites into.

Kate Pozzo shares about her experience of patterns of anxious thought that can come with neurodiversity and how to dwell in love amidst that noise.

As anxiety about the climate crisis grows and people increasingly desire to act and bring about change, Nick Tatchell examines how Spiritual Directors can offer support and discernment.

A guide on how to reflect on a spiritual direction session. This can be a helpful process ahead of Supervision or as you are training to grow in awareness of your interior movements in a session.

Shelly King invites us to think about and be curious about the words we use in Spiritual Direction. Do we use some words without thinking about what they communicate, or assume what our directees might mean by theirs?

Katy Kidwell shares about coming home to her body through her journey of Spiritual Direction and training on the Encounter Course. She shares on how to help your directees connect to their bodies.

Katharine Norbury reflects on the last two years of Encounter journey and the invitation to “Encounter the Tradition.”

Maria Manuela SIlva brings us her first book review and conversation with writer Christine Barnabas, about her book “Consecrated Celibacy: A Fresh Look at an Ancient Calling.”

Ever experienced seasons of spiritual dryness? It's a common part of the faith journey. Peter-Bas Spronk explores this concept, offering insights and encouraging a deeper understanding.

Grace Owens shares her experience with Encounter and the simple yet powerful act of listening.

Rev. Sheena Gabriel reflects on her experience as a Unitarian Minister on the Encounter Course.

Mary Monfries invited us to stand at the gate of the year to reflect on where God has led us and what we might be being invited into.

Mirjam Ngoy-Verhage reflects on a profound encounter with a Black Madonna statue in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Liesse in rural France. She observes how this image challenges perceptions of God and the way people interact with divinity. The presence of a Black Madonna, representing Mary or God as a black woman, is significant, especially for her daughter, who can relate to the image as a young, black woman of dual heritage.

This reflective guide offers a practical examen for spiritual directors to use after a session, helping to foster the internal supervisor and deepen professional and spiritual self-awareness. Through embodied reflection, emotional noticing, and relational insight, this post supports healthy supervision, ethical practice, and ongoing formation in spiritual direction. Ideal for trainees and experienced directors seeking reflective practice, post-session review tools, and spiritual growth.

Nick Tatchell reflects on the climate crisis and his response to Annette Kaye's Developing Direction workshop.