The Scriptures gives us the model of being a spiritual companion or as it is otherwise known, a spiritual director or soul friend.
The Diocesan Course in Spritual Companionship
Do people seem turn to you as a person who will give time and listen?
Are you open to new discoveries about faith on your Christian journey?
Are you someone who is seeking to deepen your own ‘walk with God’?
Perhaps God is calling you to be a spiritual companion to others?
The Diocesan Course in spiritual companionship takes as its model the story of the Emmaus Road. Two disciples walk together on a journey of discovery because Jesus comes and walks alongside them.
Spiritual companions are called to walk beside a fellow disciple as a life servant not a life fixer! They help the other person to listen, to see and to name what God is doing in their life, to celebrate their relationship with God and to discern the way forward on their faith journey.
It is often said that spiritual companions need ‘two ears’- one to listen prayerfully to God and the other to listen at depth to the person they are accompanying and only ‘one mouth’ – i.e. to use words carefully, sparingly and helpfully.
If you sense that God may be calling you to this ministry, why not join us on one of our modules?
The Course is built of 4 core modules, and you can simply take one as a stand alone unit or build the modules together. This course is open access and discernment about becoming a spiritual companion and receiving the Bishop of Chelmsford’s Certificate occurs once the 4 core modules have been completed.
To find out more please contact Revd Ann Coleman 01277 821366 annvcol@gmail.com
Next modules are running as follows:
Chelmsford Diocesan office .New St Chelmsford: Tuesdays Time 6pm-8pm
6 sessions ( £30) Spiritual Companionship and the Big Life Questions
- 3rd,October
- 10th October
- 17th October
- 31st October
- 7th November
- 14th November
St John's Stratford Wednesdays Time 6pm-8pm( except Tues 17th when timing will be 5pm-7pm) 6 sessions ( £30) Spiritual Companionship and the Big Life Questions
- Wednesday 4th October
- Wednesday 11th October
- Tuesday 17th October (change as room being used on Wednesday this week)
- then miss a week
- Wednesday 1st November
- Wednesday 8th November
- Wednesday 15th November
St Andrew South Shoebury Daytime Thursdays Time 12noon -2.15pm ( 15 mins lunch break) 5 sessions ( £25) Spiritual Companionship and the Big Life Questions
- 28th Sept,
- 5th October
- 12th October
- Then miss a week
- 26th October
- 2nd November
The Essex Course in Spiritual Direction
September 2023-June 2025
The Essex Course in Spiritual Direction (previously known as the Pleshey Course) has run for over thirty years and provides the core skills and experience to prepare participants to offer the ministry of Spiritual Direction, or some form of Christian accompaniment, in their various contexts. It is an experiential course which runs over two academic years and consists of regular Thursday evening online sessions on Zoom with nine course days and two retreat days held on Saturdays at The Schoolroom and Chapel, Woodham Ferrers, near Chelmsford. It is led by an ecumenical team and is open to people of all Christian traditions.
The course will help participants to grow in spiritual depth as they engage with others and discover more of their own journey with God. It is designed for mature Christians who already have experience of receiving some form of Spiritual Direction or accompaniment and who wish to explore and discern God’s call to offer this valuable ministry to others.
For more information or to request an application form please visit: www.spiritualdirectionessex.co.uk
