Soulful Connections: An Experience of Community, Sharing and Spiritual Growth for Spiritual Companions

As Spiritual Companions, we know how important it is to take time to replenish our own spiritual cup. Join Lucy Abbott Tucker for a Spiritual Director/Companion’s Retreat that will offer deep enrichment designed specifically for the unique needs of spiritual companions/ directors. Together we’ll explore:

• how our understanding of God changes as we grow in age, grace, and wisdom
• how to listen and attend to ourselves and our directees as we sit with the pain of the world
• our seekers’ spiritual journeys with peaks and valleys, knowing and not knowing, believing and doubting

The retreat is arranged in a flexible way that allows for commuter, single-day, and overnight options. (Overnight options are currently full. Please call Genesis at 413-562-3627 to join our Wait List. Commuter options are still available.)

Co-sponsored by

• Spiritual Life Center  spiritlifectr.org
• Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

 Schedule:

Thursday evening, November 14^th
Fireside Chat:  Has God Changed or is it Me?
As we grow in age and grace and wisdom our understanding of God changes.  Often this is accompanied by confusion and occasionally fear.  There is also a sense of excitement over what we now know.  This evening is devoted to conversation about our journey on this road of change and discovery.

Friday, November 15^th
9:00 – 4:00
Being with the pain of the world.
We live in our world that is beset with problems and issues – violence, political issues, environmental concerns, division, to name just a few.  These can be called issues of trauma.  This day will be devoted to looking at trauma within the context of the spiritual direction conversation.  How do I listen and attend to myself as I cope with these issues?  How do I listen and attend to my directees as they share their concerns regarding such life issues?

Saturday, November 16^th
9:00 – 4:00
The Spiritual Journey:  Desire, Resistance and Occasionally Stubbornness.
We like to think that the spiritual journey moves from one degree of holiness to another – a little like climbing a ladder.  Actually, the journey is full of peaks and valleys, knowing and not knowing, believing and doubting.  How do spiritual directors listen and attend to all of these moments in the spiritual journey?  What makes it “good” spiritual direction?  What helps me to be faithful to myself and to the ministry?

 Overnight and commuter options.

• $395 per person for 3 overnights including all programs. Begin with supper on Thursday, 11/14 followed by a fireside chat with Lucy. End with breakfast on Sunday, 11/17.
• $325 for 2 overnights including all programs. Begin with supper on Thursday, 11/14,  followed by a fireside chat with Lucy. Ends after program on Saturday, 11/16.
• $245 per person for 1 overnight and Friday and Saturday programs. Includes Friday 11/15 overnight accommodation, Friday lunch and supper; Saturday breakfast and lunch.
• $95 per day for commuter including lunch, available on Friday 11/15 and/or Saturday 11/16.
• $175 for two-day commuter including lunch

Location: Genesis Spiritual Life Center 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085

Time: 9:00 – 4:00 for daytime sessions.

Check-in information will be provided. Overnight option assumes single occupancy with a shared hallway bathroom.