Spiritual Conversation Formation Programme 

This course is running 2026-27

 

For whom is the course intended?

There is a growing interest in how our spiritual journey relates to living with love and purpose in today’s world. This calls for people skilled in spiritual conversation, fostering the trust and welcome that allows us to engage in encounters at depth. The gifts of this listening hospitality can be offered in a variety of contexts.

This formation programme builds on the foundation course Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living and develops the disposition and skills involved in listening attentively to God, ourselves and others. It also explores how Ignatian discernment helps us to seek out life-giving choices for ourselves and those we encounter. It is likely to benefit those involved in a wide range of pastoral situations. For some, this formation may lead on to training in spiritual accompaniment/direction.

Deck chairs two

 

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 this programme, you are expected to be receiving regular spiritual direction/accompaniment and to have this in place before you begin. 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. 

 

 

two men sitting

Practice in spiritual conversation

If you are accepted on to the programme, 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, usually through your local contacts. Ideally you will have identified these people before you begin. These conversations will allow you to apply what you are learning and to 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.

 

lpatop flowers and mug of coffeeMode of presentation:
a mixture of online and
in-person components for all participants

The course contains two major components:

  • Regular Tuesday evening sessions online on Zoom
    • Five days in person – all of which will be at Christ Church, Morningside, Edinburgh
    • The in-person sessions are integral to the formation programme
      and all participants will need to attend them.

 

 

 

 

 

Dates

The sessions will take place on the dates below.

  • Tuesday sessions take place on Zoom in the evening from 7pm – 9.30pm
  • Friday session in person 1.30pm – 6pm
  • Saturday sessions in person 10am – 4pm

2026

  • Sept 22nd, Fri 25th, Sat 26th
  • Oct 6th, 20th, 27th
  • Nov 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
  • Dec 1st, Sat 5th, 8th

 2027

  • Jan 12th, 19th, 26th
  • Feb 2nd, 9th, 23rd, Fri 26th, Sat 27th
  • Mar 9th, 16th, 23rd
  • Apr, 20th, 27th
  • May 4th

 

Course costs

The cost of the course is £840.  A registration fee of £90, deductible from the total cost, is payable when an applicant is accepted. The balance may be paid in instalments.

Bursaries may be available for this course please contact  training@epiphanygroup.org.uk to enquire about this.

Do also contact us at the above address if you wish to make a donation towards helping someone else take part in the course.

 

More Information

If you would like more information, or would like to make an informal enquiry about the course please contact sc@epiphanygroup.org.uk

 

Accessibility

If you have any access or disability needs that we would need to be aware of please either include these on your application form or contact  sc@epiphanygroup.org.uk to discuss how these might be accommodated.

 

Applications

  1. Download  the files above to your computer then open the documents  by going to your downloads folder. 
  2. Find your downloads folder by clicking on the Windows key  and “e”.
  3. If you have difficulty accessing the form please email sc@epiphanygroup.org.uk for a copy to be sent to you.

 

  • Your application will be acknowledged by e-mail.
  • Please get in touch again if you haven’t heard back from us in 7 days – and also check your Spam folder.
  • Confirmation will be sent nearer to the start of the course with final details.
  • Applicants may be interviewed and/or references taken.

 

What people have said:

The course has given me an opportunity to talk about God with other people…I think I have grown in awareness of God, and confidence in speaking about God, through that.

I am learning to be comfortable with what people are sharing, holding them in their space…….knowing that ‘Here we are, you and I, and I hope a third, Christ is in our midst.’

 

Legal Aspects

Epiphany Group Scotland (EGS) is insured through Oxygen. By applying for one of our courses, you agree that any disputes or claims against EGS or its members will be handled only through the Scottish legal system.

 

 

Photos on  Unplash by

1 Chaz McGregor

2 Luke Ellis Craven

3 Wynand van Poortvliet 

Epiphany Group Scotland