Spiritual Conversation 

For whom is the course intended?

There is increasing interest in the spiritual journey and how it relates to living faithfully in today’s world.  This speaks of a need for people skilled in spiritual conversation, living out this ministry in a variety of ways. This course builds on the foundation course Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living and is a training programme for accompanying others on their inner journey, alongside continuing self-development. For some, this course may lead on to training in spiritual accompaniment/direction.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have completed Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living or a comparable course, or have made the full Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Consideration may be given to applicants with equivalent experience which includes knowledge of different ways of praying and basic Ignatian discernment.

If you apply for the course, you are expected to be receiving regular spiritual direction and to have this in place before the course begins. We may be able to help you find a spiritual director if necessary. It is also helpful if you have had experience of an individually guided retreat.

Practice in spiritual conversation

If you are accepted on the course, you will be expected to engage in accompanying others on their spiritual journey.  In practice, this means meeting for spiritual conversation with two people on a regular basis during the course, usually through your local contacts. These conversations will allow you to apply course learning and reflect on your experience, both with a tutor and in small groups.

Course content

Module 1   Introduction to Spiritual Conversation – Listening Skills
Module 2   Personal Prayer – Ways of Praying
Module 3   Discernment according to St Ignatius
Module 4   Spiritual Conversation

 

Method

The programme is experience-based and uses small groups, role plays, case studies, personal reflection, input and discussion as methods of learning.

There is one written assignment for each module.

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

Participants are expected to attend all sessions. If you miss a session due to illness or unforeseen events, you are expected to catch up with relevant content by liaising with another course participant.

 

Mode of presentation

The course will be offered in two ways:

• A fully online version, which will include listening skills practice in small groups via Zoom.
• A predominantly online version with face-to-face sessions on four Saturdays spread through the course. The in-person sessions will be based in Edinburgh and give participants the opportunity to practise their listening skills in small face-to-face groups.

 

Dates

Whichever version of the course is chosen, the sessions will take place on the dates below.  The Tuesday sessions take place in the evening from 7 – 9.30pm and the Saturday sessions during the day.

(Provisional Saturday timing for online version 2 – 5.30pm; face-to-face version 11.30am -3.30pm.)

 

2022

Sep 20, 27

Oct 4, 11, 25 and Sat 8^th

Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Sat 19^th

Dec 6, 13

 

2023

Jan 10, 17, 24, 31

Feb 7, 21, 28 and Sat 4^th

Mar 7, 14, 21, 28 and Sat 18^th

Apr 18, 25

 

Course costs

The cost of the course is £660, regardless of the version chosen.  A registration fee of £60, deductible from the total cost, is payable when an applicant is accepted. The balance may be paid in instalments.

 

Applications

You are encouraged to apply using the application form below:

• Download SC Application form 2022-23
• Download SC flier 2022-23 

 

We also welcome informal notes of interest.
Applicants may be interviewed and/or references taken.

Your application will be acknowledged by e-mail and confirmation will be sent close to the start of the course with final details.

Please send applications and enquiries to:

sccourse@epiphanygroup.org.uk

If you haven’t heard back from us in 7 days, please get in touch again and also check your SPAM folder.

 

Bursaries

The Epiphany Group (EG) is keen that no-one should be excluded from our courses for financial reasons. We encourage applicants to seek funding from other sources and can offer suggestions on this.

Please contact us for further information.

There is also a limited EG Bursary and Development Fund, supported by donations, which is available to those in need of assistance.

 

Alternative Courses

Ignatian Spirituality Centre Glasgow will offer a Spiritual Conversation Course 2022-2023