wfn.org | Florida program promotes spiritual formation

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 13, 2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
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By United Methodist News Service

An ecumenical training program designed to enhance personal spiritual
enrichment or to work toward leadership in spiritual direction has been
created in Florida.

The "Formation Program in Spiritual Direction" was developed by the
Institute of Christian Studies, Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, in
cooperation with the United Methodist Florida Annual (regional) Conference.

"We kept hearing of a need by persons who were looking for spiritual
direction, both lay and clergy," said the Rev. Patricia D. Brown, director
of the Florida Conference's Office of Spiritual Formation.

Most often, the church uses a psychologically based model of counseling when
its members seek direction. "My sense is that we need to begin to draw on
our own tradition," she explained. "The Christian tradition is very rich in
spiritual mentoring."

Brown described a spiritual director as someone who deals with the image of
"who God is" and "brings to bear all those sermons and Sunday school
lessons" on whatever is happening in a person's life at a given time.
Spiritual directors also can introduce spiritual disciplines based out of
faith, such as meditation, contemplation, prayer practices and fasting.

The program is open to members of any denomination and to non-Florida
residents as well as those in the state. Anyone can audit single courses
during the first year of the program.

The first-year courses include personal spirituality and prayer life, the
ministry of spiritual direction, classic forms of spirituality, elements of
spiritual companionship, spirituality through the ages, and Benedictine,
Franciscan, Ignatian and Augustian forms of spiritual direction. Students
also participate in peer group reflection, journaling and peer mentoring,
and learn the practical application of course material.

The second year is designed for those wishing to become recognized spiritual
directors. The program includes quarterly meetings for peer group reflection
and personal growth; practical experience with ongoing supervision; peer
mentoring and review of case studies.

Those interested in the ministry of spiritual direction must have a referral
and recommendation from a parish priest or minister, as well as
recommendations from three other individuals, and complete an interview with
the discernment committee.

"Many people who go into spiritual direction are persons who have traveled
that journey themselves," Brown said.

The first year program for 2000-2001 begins on Sept. 16 and ends with a June
15-16 retreat. Dates in between are an Oct. 6-8 retreat and Saturday classes
on Nov. 4 and 18, Dec. 2, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, April 7 and May 19. The program
will be held in Orlando.

More information is available by calling Brown at (407) 657-2672 or sending
an e-mail to pdbrown@spiritworks.org.

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United Methodist News Service
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