Spiritual Conversation Formation Programme
For whom is the course intended?
There is increasing interest in the spiritual journey and how it relates to living faithfully in today’s world. This speaks of a need for people skilled in spiritual conversation, living out this ministry in a variety of ways. This formation programme builds on the foundation course Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living and offers further personal formation. It explores the skills involved in listening well to others, as well as how Ignatian discernment can inform the accompaniment of others on their spiritual journey. It is likely to benefit those involved in a wide range of pastoral situations. For some, this formation may lead on to training in spiritual accompaniment/direction.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have completed Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living or a comparable course, or have made the full Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Consideration may be given to applicants with equivalent experience which includes knowledge of different ways of praying and basic Ignatian discernment.
If you apply for this programme, you are expected to be receiving regular spiritual direction and to have this in place before you begin. We may be able to help you find a spiritual director if necessary. It is also helpful if you have had experience of an individually guided retreat.
Practice in spiritual conversation
If you are accepted on to the programme, you will be expected to engage in accompanying others on their spiritual journey.
In practice, this means meeting for spiritual conversation with two people on a regular basis, usually through your local contacts. Ideally you will have identified these people before you begin. These conversations will allow you to apply what you are learning and to reflect on your experience, both with a tutor and in small groups.
Course content
Module 1 Introduction to Spiritual Conversation – Listening Skills
Module 2 Personal Prayer – Ways of Praying
Module 3 Discernment according to St Ignatius
Module 4 Spiritual Conversation
Method
The programme is experience-based and uses small groups, role plays, case studies, personal reflection, input and discussion as methods of learning.
There is one written assignment for each module.
Attendance
Participants are expected to attend all sessions. If you miss a session due to illness or unforeseen events, you are expected to catch up with relevant content by liaising with another course participant.
Mode of presentation:
a mixture of online and
in-person components for all participants
The course contains two major components:
- regular Tuesday evening sessions online on Zoom
- Five days in person – all of which will be at Christ Church, Morningside, Edinburgh
- The in-person sessions are integral to the formation programme
and all participants will need to attend them.
Dates
The sessions will take place on the dates below.
- Tuesday sessions take place on Zoom in the evening from 7pm – 9.20pm
- Friday session in person 1.30pm – 6pm
- Saturday sessions in person 10am – 4pm
2025
- Sept 30th
- Oct 7th, Fri 24th, Sat 25th, 28th
- Nov 4th, 11th.18th, 25th
- Dec 2nd, 9th, 16th
- 2026
- Jan 13th, 20th, Sat 24th
- Feb 3rd, 10th, 24th, Fri 27th, Sat 28th
- Mar 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
- Apr, 21st, 28th
- May 5th
Course costs
The cost of the course is £765. A registration fee of £60, deductible from the total cost, is payable when an applicant is accepted. The balance may be paid in instalments.
Bursaries may be available for this course please contact training@epiphanygroup.org.uk to enquire about this.
Do also contact us at the above address if you wish to make a donation towards helping someone else take part in the course.
More Information
If you would like more information, or would like to make an informal enquiry about the course please contact sc@epiphanygroup.org.uk
Applications
- Download SC Application form (DOCX)
- Download SC flier (DOCX)
Your application will be acknowledged by e-mail. (Please get in touch again if you haven’t heard back from us in 7 days.) Confirmation will be sent nearer to the start of the course with final details.
Applicants may be interviewed and/or references taken.
If you haven’t heard back from us in 7 days, please get in touch again and also check your SPAM folder.
What people have said:
The course has given me an opportunity to talk about God with other people…I think I have grown in awareness of God, and confidence in speaking about God, through that. I have found listening to other course members’ and my practice peoples’ experiences of God illuminating.
I am learning to be comfortable with what people are sharing, holding them in their space. Rather than running away from the hard places, the darker experiences, I am beginning to feel more comfortable being alongside them with their emotions and burdens, knowing that ‘Here we are, you and I, and I hope a third, Christ is in our midst.’
Photos on Unplash by
1 Chaz McGregor
2 Luke Ellis Craven
Epiphany Group led