Spiritual Direction
Are you longing for the opportunity to deepen your relationship with God? Do you wish to create more space in your life for prayer and contemplation? Are you ready to delve into spiritual questions that you may have held in your heart but not completely explored? If so, spiritual direction is a chance to intentionally dive into these questions and more.
My approach to spiritual direction begins with silence, being together while centering our thoughts and welcoming God’s holy presence. God is always with us, but our attitude and openness toward God’s guidance varies from moment to moment. Pursuing spiritual direction means committing at least an hour each month to talking about your relationship with the Source of all things. It means choosing to open yourself, to share your spiritual connections and struggles, to allow yourself to be challenged to grow and to come to your own insights about how God is at work in your life.
Spiritual direction is an active process. You will be asked to reflect on your life and God’s place in it. You may be asked simple questions like “How is it with your soul?” but the time is yours to discuss whatever spiritual thoughts you have been having or to explore deep theological questions.
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A Spiritual director is a companion on the way but does not answer your questions. The director is there to support you and to challenge you to look in places you might not have thought to explore, but the director’s job is primarily to help create a safe and open space for you to do your spiritual work.
I have been in Spiritual Direction for most of my adult life. It is integral to my relationship with the Holy One and the way I choose to be in this world. I am grateful to have a person I trust wholeheartedly who takes time each month to listen to and draw out of me, what God is doing in my life.
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Spiritual Directors are not “directors” in the sense that they tell you where to go and what you should do. They are companions on the spiritual journey who provide some outside perspective and ask probing questions.
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Listening to the whispers of God sometimes happens only when we quiet ourselves enough to push away the loud voices and demands of the world. During Spiritual Direction we spend time together in silence and invite the Spirit to speak to us. Often it is in the silence that I realize what it is that I need to talk about with my director.
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Having a Spiritual Director to walk with me keeps me humble as well as thoughtful, challenged as well as comforted. Spiritual direction helps me to be heart-centered, prayerful, and not complacent. Spiritual Direction encourages me to see Christ in new ways and the Holy in all things.
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This experience of spiritual companionship prompted me to begin my training as a Contemplative Spiritual Director in 2016. After completing the two year program at The Alcyon Center I have found a missing piece in my ministry. It is a privilege and a joy to sit with seekers, to listen to twists and turns on their journeys and to accompany them through the muck and through the epiphanies!
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If you are interested in beginning Spiritual Direction I invite you to spend time in prayer. If you feel drawn toward exploring Spiritual Direction with me, please contact me and we will set up a time to get together to discern whether I am the right spiritual companion for you.
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Members of my congregation are not expected to pay for Spiritual Direction as I am their pastor. Spiritual Directors are paid per session as you would a counselor or physical therapist. The appropriate amount can be discussed as we determine if ours is the right match.
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I currently have four directees, both men and women, of various ages and walks of life. Please let me know if you are interested in pursuing Spiritual Direction. You may call me at the First Congregational Church of Canandaigua, UCC (585) 394-2184 or send an email to office@canandaiguachurch.org I look forward to getting to know you!
