Spirituality and Spiritual Direction

Spirituality is about our relationship with God on our journey through life and how we can deepen that relationship. There are many ways that we to go deeper with God and the Diocese of Bristol is seeking to encourage different ways in which we can do that.

Some suggestions are:

• Spiritual Direction / Accompaniment
• Quiet Days
• Retreats
• Spirituality Events

Spiritual direction

Everyone benefits from having someone to talk to about their journey with God.

Spiritual Direction involves meeting with someone to share your thoughts and reflections about your Christian faith. A spiritual director will be someone skilled in listening, helping you reflect more deeply about your faith journey and helping you reflect on your relationship with God. Spiritual direction varies, but usually involves one to one meetings.

There are different ways of finding a spiritual director. It may be that you already know someone who you find helpful to talk with and who helps you to reflect. It might be that a third party could recommend somebody to you.

The Diocese of Bristol can also help you in finding a spiritual director. We do this via the Diocesan Adviser for Spirituality, Revd Lizzie Kesteven and the Diocesan Adviser for Spiritual Direction, Revd Minty Hull. Revd Minty Hull is also the Retreat Associations local representative.

You can begin this process by filling in the Spiritual Direction Request Form and sending it to Ruth.

When somebody speaks with Lizzie and Minty, they have a conversation during which we try to find out what sort of direction and support you are looking for is it actual spiritual direction or a different approach to spiritual support? If you decide together that spiritual direction is the best route, then Lizzie or Minty will help in trying to find an appropriate contact. If it is a different approach to spiritual support, they will try to point you to the appropriate diocesan contact.

Due to the current limited availability of the number of spiritual directors in the region, the Diocese of Bristol advisers need to prioritise connecting clergy within the Diocese of Bristol with spiritual directors. They will do their best to signpost any other enquiries and help as best they can. But we also recommend the Retreat Association for making connections with directors. If you are a student at Trinity College, please discuss your requirements for a spiritual director with your Tutor or the Trinity College Chaplains.

Quiet Days

Thinking about organising a Quiet Day / Quiet morning for your team or members of your church?

There are a number of people who are experienced in leading quiet days and who are willing to offer their time and lead and guide these sessions. Availability would be dependent on timings and requirements etc.

Retreats

Are you looking for some space and quiet? Do you want to deepen your relationship with God and your spiritual life? Are you needing rest, recovery and space for reflection?

A retreat may be just the thing you need.

Retreats are for anyone, and are an opportunity to step out of the busyness of life for a while, to find space, rest and to just be in a place that is welcoming and peaceful.

There are many different kinds of retreat, from simply having peace and quiet, to being part of an organised programme, from a single day to several days away.

It may be a Sheldon 10,000 mile service, an Ignatian retreat, an Enneagram programme, something silent, something creative - there are many different ways to experience a retreat. Please see our Retreats for Ministers page for more some suggestions.

Clergy are entitled to an annual retreat as part of their ministry and working life and not leave, and costs of an annual retreats are a reasonable part of parochial expenses.

For more information, please speak to any of the advisers listed on this page and also investigate the The Retreat Association for more information.