Spiritual Direction Opportunity

Come experience spiritual community, discernment and spiritual care through small group spiritual direction. Groups of 3-6 of our clergy peers will meet for five monthly, two hour sessions starting in February 2009. These groups will be facilitated by a trained Presbyterian Spiritual Director. You can form your own group and we will provide a facilitator --- or just sign up and we’ll place you in a group!

What is Group Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is the common name given to an ancient spiritual discipline of discernment. It’s both a process of being attentive to the work of the Holy Spirit in one’s life and an art of Christian conversation and listening.

“Prayerful silence nurtures discernment in group spiritual direction...In group spiritual direction, people often become aware of God’s ways in their hearts as they hear how God seems to be present for others and as they become conscious of God’s presence with them as a group. In group spiritual direction, people learn to listen to God’s Spirit at work in them for others in the group.” Rose Mary Dougherty

“Spiritual direction differs from moral guidance, psychological counseling and the practice of confessional, preaching or healing ministries (though having affinities with them) in that it directly assists individuals in developing and cultivating their personal relationship with God.” William A. Barry and William J. Connolly

Interested?
There will be an information session at 4:00 pm January 20, 2009 at Mercer Island Pres., prior to the presbytery meeting.

Cost? Free! ...due to our volunteer facilitators. A suggested donation of $50.00 to the Spiritual Formation Ministry of the Presbytery, however, would be appreciated.

You can sign up by returning the tear-off section from the flyer in your presbytery packet when you attend the next Presbytery meeting, or by leaving a confidential comment for this blog post with the following information:

Name, Phone #, Email address.
Preference/constraints for geographical area within Presbytery to meet____________________________

_____ I am planning on attending the January 20, 2009 event.
_____ Please assign me to a spiritual direction group!
_____ I may have/have a small group that will need a facilitator.

Sponsored by Spiritual Formation & Clergy Care Ministry Teams