Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living

 2020-2021 (starting September 15th, 2020)

A one year programme (30 x 2½ hour sessions) for those who want a closer relationship with God, who struggle with prayer, who want to make choices that are in tune with God’s dream for the world. No expertise in prayer or reflection is required. The course is open to all, of whatever denomination or none. So come along, whether you have a specific reason for doing the course of simply want space to explore and reflect on your life in relationship to God, self and others. Course application deadline is 14 August 2020 (though see below if financial assistance is required). There will be an Introductory evening on 1st September for those registered and accepted to the course.

The Course

• Deepen their relationship with God
• Become more aware of the sense and direction of their lives
• Make choices that reflect their self-identity within an understanding of God’s hopes for the world
• Develop a spirituality that shapes their response to life.

Towards this end, and within the framework of the Christian liturgical year, the course provides opportunities to:

• Reflect on our understanding of God and self
• Become aware of the many ways in which God communicates with us
• Become familiar with different methods of prayer as tools for engaging in conversation with God
• Explore some spiritualities as responses to God’s communication
• Develop skills for reflective living
• Explore the relationship between prayer and engagement with the world.
• Explore how to support your faith journey
• Develop a personal spirituality that integrates prayer and life, and helps shape your response to the latter.

Method

The method is reflective and experience-based. Sessions include team input, guided experiences of prayer, time for quiet personal prayer, and opportunities for listening and sharing. The five full days allow more time for personal prayer. The fifth of these, the final day of the course, will be a day of retreat.
Included for participants are six sessions of individual spiritual accompaniment. These will run from December till May.

What Follows the Course?

• Individual spiritual accompaniment;
• Retreats of various kinds, including the full Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius
• Training to facilitate days/afternoons/evenings with groups;
• Training in spiritual conversation;
• Training as a spiritual guide for one-to-one and retreat work, with the possibility of eventual work in this area.

Suggested Offering

£495
Deposit of £50

Those in need of financial support should contact the ISC as soon as possible, and at the latest by 15 July 2020, to allow time to apply for a grant.
Payment may be made by cheque, cash or standing order and may be made in instalments over the year, according to need.
Balances should be cleared by 30 March 2021.

Apply Online 2020-21

Information Sheet

GPRL MEMBERS AREA (for the current session 2019-20)