Spirituality is about developing our awareness of God, and letting that growing awareness inform and shape our lives. In practice, this requires us to establish a pattern of prayer, and to learn about how we relate to ourselves and to the world around us, how we take our place within the Church, humanity and creation.
Spiritual direction
Spiritual direction or spiritual accompaniment is a confidential relationship which creates the space for discerning the presence of God in life’s experiences and for increasing our awareness of how to live out of that presence.
Find out more in this leaflet: What is spiritual direction?
Fellowship of Spiritual Directors
In October 2014, the Peterborough Diocesan Fellowship of Spiritual Directors came into being. The purpose of the Fellowship is to enable spiritual direction within the diocese and to provide a coherent community in which individuals will receive mutual support and on-going development.
Fellowship implies a body; a sense of belonging; a shared journey; mutual responsibility for maintaining good practice; that accountability is a ‘horizontal’ process in which all should share and not a ‘top-down’ imposed structure. Thus the fellowship should eventually become far more than a list of names that the diocese can utilise as spiritual directors.
The Fellowship meets twice a year, for both on-going training and development as well as the forging of friendships, mutual support and nurturing within a ministry that at times can be can be isolating.
There is a basic criteria to be met by those wishing to become part of the Fellowship. These criteria are about providing for and maintaining the quality of what we do rather than proscribing literal standards. This has seemed a vital concept to keep before us during the development phase of the Fellowship, as has been the balance between ensuring competency - as far as we can – whilst trying not to over-professionalise what we are about. All members of the Fellowship receive supervision.
This is a venture full of possibilities for the diocese, which places spiritual direction within the whole diocesan structure. It should be a group that we create and mold the shape of as we move into the future together and we hope that spiritual directors already working within the diocese will join us in this venture.
If you have questions or wish to know more about the Fellowship of Spiritual Directors please click here.
Finding or being a spiritual director
Choosing a spiritual director is a very personal decision and an important decision as it can have a large impact on life. Therefore it is worth taking some time to think and pray. You may also find this leaflet helpful: Finding a spiritual director
If you feel drawn to this ministry of spiritual direction or accompaniment, or if you are finding that people seek you out to talk about their faith and life, you can find out more in this leaflet: The ministry of spiritual direction
Wish to know more?
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to be in touch with the Revd. Dr. Judy Craig Peck, Bishop’s Advisor for Spirituality at;spirituality@peterborough-diocese.org.uk