WATERING THE GARDEN - Ongoing Training for Spiritual Directors
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'Watering the Garden' is a short series of further training days for practicing spiritual directors and is offered every other year.
Some of these events will also be suitable for directees or people who support others as prayer accompaniers in a less formal way. Each day addresses a particular topic relevant to the development of spiritual direction practice. OUR NEXT WATERING THE GARDEN EVENT
Tuesday 24 March St Katharine’s Parmoor Finding Your Way in the Dark Mary and Charles Hippsley 10.30 am – 3.45 pm (coffee available from 10 am) This event is open to Spiritual Directors, Directees and those who, more informally, support others as prayer accompaniers.
Mary and Charles invite us to explore the multifaceted nature of dark and difficult times that are an inevitable part of the faith journey, and the hidden treasures that can be discovered within them. We will look together at seasons of ‘faith disruption’—those tricky crunch-points where our familiar maps of faith no longer seem able to guide us and our usual ways of connecting with the Divine may falter. This sounds like something to be avoided and at first sight may be perceived as unnecessary doubt or sin. But a deeper look can open up some hitherto undiscovered pathways for spiritual transformation and rebirth. Drawing on the wisdom of contemplative Christianity we explore how experiences of spiritual darkness (e.g. ‘Dark Night of the Soul’) can most helpfully be understood and navigated – both for ourselves and those we may accompany. Through teaching, reflective exercises and shared insights, you will be encouraged to move beyond transactional expectations of God, learning instead to trust the natural rhythm of the dark as a path to deeper intimacy, resilience, and enlightenment. Mary Hippsley has been in education for most of her working life, specializing in cultural paradigms, philosophy of religion, and spiritual formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from LST and a Masters in Christian Spirituality from Sarum College. She is a frequent speaker in church and Christian organisations, helping to make practical connections between what we encounter in everyday life and our growth in spiritual maturity. Mary is a Spiritual Director and chaplain to a Christian charity. She also trains mentors, runs courses for those struggling with their faith, and volunteers in a bereavement support group. Following a career in senior business management, Charles Hippsley spent ten years as director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity’s Work Forum, helping Christians to integrate their faith with life and witness at work. He helped to develop key resources for working Christians, like Transforming Work and Executive Toolbox, and together with Mary co-authored LICC’s recent resource, Growing on the Frontline. Charles is also a Spiritual Director and trains others in his role as a tutor for the London Centre for Spiritual Direction. Booking DetailsThe cost for the day is £40
Drinks and light refreshments are provided: please bring a packed lunch. How to Book Follow the live link below If you are unable to book via Eventbrite, please send a cheque for £40 payable to SpiDir Network and post to Sue Sheppy: 34 Mill Road, Abingdon OX14 5N To pay by bank transfer or for all further information please contact Sue at: [email protected] Some of our previous days
Discernment - Chris Blakely Contemplative Photography - Audrey Hamilton The God in whom we live and move and have our being - Revd Andrew de Smet Autumn Soulfulness - Brian Draper Where the river flows: The place of hope within spiritual direction - Chris Chapman Enneagram Informed Spiritual Direction - Alan Hodgetts & Terry Wood Changing Times: Accompanying People Through Times of Uncertainty - Christopher Chapman Understanding Mental Health within Spiritual Direction - Dr Hilary Garraway Exploring Spiritual Abuse - Anne Solomon Working with Dreams in Spiritual Direction - Joanna Gallant & Nick Gallant Creative Use of Images in Spiritual Direction - Beryl Maw |
WATERING THE GARDEN Ongoing Training EVENTS IN 2026
Tuesday 24 March
St Katharine’s Parmoor Finding Your Way in the Dark Mary and Charles Hippsley Tuesday 19 May Online event Preparing for Supervision Sarah Young Tuesday 7 July St Katharine’s Parmoor Quiet Day on Julian of Norwich Claire Gilbert Tuesday 10 November Online event Toxic and Other Images of God Anne Solomon Watch this space for further details
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