A further 15 people were commissioned as Spiritual Directors on 12th July at The Cenacle at a service officiated by Bishop Paul Bayes.
Rev Dawn Harrison, who is the Bishops’ Officer for Spiritual Direction said,
“I am amazed at how God keeps growing the network and how blessed we are to have so many amazing Spiritual Directors in our Diocese.
It is through paying attention to our own inner journey that we grow in our relationship with God and it never ceases to amaze me that as people pay attention to God’s voice he calls them to explore new and exciting avenues.
As a network over the years, we have been blessed by people paying attention to this call and growing in their outer journey by training as Directors.”
Amanda Bushell, Glenys Chalk, Gillian Grace, Rev Stan Higginson, Rev Janice Hill, Rev Lynne Jackson, Helen Lane, Bruce Pennie, Rev Margaret Quayle, Ann Tyer, Frank Tyer, Rev Grahman Turner and Rev Mark Water have joined the network following extensive training plus a three-day retreat at Foxhill.
The network now standing at 62 spiritual directors, has seen significant growth over the last three years.
Bishop Paul said, “It was a great privilege to commission so many new Spiritual Directors as our network grows and develops under Dawn Harrison’s able leadership.
This is an absolutely vital and central ministry if we as a Diocese are to live out the Rule of Life and make the inner and the outer journey together. May God bless our Directors - and may God move in the hearts of many in the Diocese to use the ministry of Spiritual Direction and to grow in the ways of God!”
Bishop Bev is heading up the Spiritual Direction Network joined Bishop Paul at the commissioning service said, “As we seek to live out of Rule of Life - praying, reading, telling, serving, giving, sharing. I encourage all in ministry indeed all Christians to find a spiritual director/companion to journey with you through life's pilgrimage.
I am so delighted by the steps people have taken to prayerfully discern God voice to train to be spiritual director, for giving of their time and for sharing this ministry.
I encourage all who have not yet found a Spiritual Director to be in touch with and find a director who can journey with you.”
So just what is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is a chance to deepen your relationship with God. When we talk about Spiritual Direction it’s God who’s the director and your spiritual director is the person who accompanies you in your journey with God.
Using the term ‘direction’ or ‘director’ might seem slightly confusing, as normally we use those words to mean being told what to do or how to do something. But a spiritual director is there to act as your companion, enabler, encourager and a fellow pilgrim on your spiritual journey.
In the Diocese of Liverpool, our Spiritual Directors are trained to help you discover God’s purpose in your life while they listen to you. In your sessions, which usually last around an hour, you’ll talk about the ways in which God may be touching your life directly or indirectly. You’ll reflect on your own journey with God, while your Spiritual Director listens attentively. Being really heard in this kind of a way, is a rare, affirming and encouraging gift.
Find out more Spiritual Direction by clicking this link:
If you’re interested in either finding a Spiritual Director or becoming one, you can complete this form and someone from our Spiritual Direction network will get in touch with you.