Overview
If you enjoy meaningful conversation, listening to others (particularly relative to their relationship with God), and desire to journey with people well as they seek to deepen their experience of God, the School of Spiritual Direction (SSD) may be for you.
The SSD is a two-year certification program which trains and forms people in the ministry of spiritual direction. A few distinctives of the school are:
- The deep level of friendship and community created given the size of cohorts (typically between 8-12 people). We learn to share and share vulnerably with one another and, in so doing, grow in real connection and love for one another.
- Its modular format. We meet five times for a total of ten days over the course of nine months. This allows you to maintain your existing rhythms of work and life whilst being a student in the school.
- The opportunity to gain practice in offering spiritual direction early on.
- Receiving regular peer and formal supervision.
- Engaging a version of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in year two.
Alongside honing the skills of spiritual direction (how to form good questions, etc.), the program offers students a wonderful, significant spiritual formation. We learn about and engage various well-worn Christian contemplative prayer practices together. You will become more attentive to God’s presence, communication, and work in your own life; you will grow in faith, hope, and love.
School Dates
This fall, I am teaching four cohorts: both a year one and year two cohort here in Winnipeg; and a year one and a year two cohort online. The Winnipeg cohort will be in person unless governmental recommendations and guidelines relative to COVID-19 necessitate meeting online.
- Year One ONLINE (9am – 5pm CDT/CST, Fri/Sat: ZOOM)
- Year One IN PERSON (9am – 5pm, Fri/Sat: Winnipeg, MB)
- Sept 30-Oct 1, 2022
- Nov 25-26, 2022
- Jan 20-21, 2023
- Mar 17-18, 2023
- May 12-13, 2023
- Year Two ONLINE (9am – 5pm CDT/CST, Fri/Sat: Zoom)
- Sep 16-17, 2022
- Nov 11-12, 2022
- Jan 13-14, 2023
- Mar 3-4, 2023
- Apr 28-29, 2023
- Year Two IN PERSON (9am – 5pm CDT/CST, Fri/Sat: Winnipeg, MB)
- Oct 14-15, 2022
- Dec 9-10, 2022,
- Feb 3-4, 2023
- Mar 24-25, 2023
- May 26-27, 2023
Online Interest Meeting
If you would like to hear more about the school, meet me, hear from some students, and have a chance to ask any questions, I am hosting an online interest meeting (on Zoom). Here are the details:
- 7 – 8 pm (CDT/CST), Wednesday, May 25, 2022
- Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87863698755
Writing Is Prayer 
Suhail,
I’m interested in learning more about the School of Spiritual Direction. Did you record the Zoom mtg you held in May? If so, could you send me the recording?
You mentioned above the deep level of community and friendship that is formed. I’m curious about the online format. Do you find a similar level of connection being formed within the group even in the online space? I would much prefer an in-person group (I’ve had enough of Zoom – haven’t we all?!) but that would require a 3-hour drive. I’d like to hear your perspective on the online class. Maybe I need to be more open to that. If this question is addressed in the Zoom recording you send, no need to reply in addition to that.
Thanks for your time.
Lisa
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