The MidAmerica Region–UUA and the Center for Congregational Spirituality are excited to offer a new online certificate program in Congregation-Based Spiritual Direction. The program is open to clergy, religious professionals (religious educators, music directors, membership professionals, youth advisors, and directors of congregational life), congregational lay leaders, and individuals engaged in innovative ministries beyond congregational walls. Denominational and middle judicatory officials and spiritual directors who share their ministry of presence with a congregation are welcome as well.
Built on the foundation of spiritual direction / guidance / companioning, the program emphasizes bringing the benefits of the practice into three spheres: your personal spiritual life, the life of your faith community, and the wider world. Throughout the program, you’ll learn to integrate the art and practice of spiritual direction into your life and ministry through asynchronous modules, virtual group spiritual direction sessions, and virtual retreats.
Over the course of the program, we will pay special attention to four main areas:
- What is spiritual direction / guidance / companioning?
- Small group spiritual direction
- The training and supervision of leaders in your community, and
- Justice as a spiritual path.
Congregation-Based Spiritual Direction: An Online Certificate Program begins with an introductory module on October 19, 2021 and ends with a closing virtual retreat on May 14, 2022. Each session will be built around an intentional pattern of theory, practice, and reflection.
The dates for the three sessions are:
- Fall Session: October 26–November 13, 2021
- Winter Session: February 8–26, 2022
- Spring Session: April 26–May 14, 2022
Each session will consist of three asynchronous learning modules (requiring 2 to 4 hours of content to work on your own); two 2½ hour group spiritual direction sessions (led by trained spiritual directors); and a single 6-hour online retreat.
The Congregation-Based Spiritual Direction Online Certificate Program tuition is $1250. An early bird discount of $250 is currently available through August 31, 2021, bringing the cost to $1000.
An additional discount of $250 is available for UU seminarians and religious professionals enrolled in one of the UUA’s credentialing programs.
More information or contact Phillip Lund at plund@uua.org.