Spiritual Direction is a one-to-one ministry of prayer and listening. The Essex Course in Spiritual Direction (previously known as the Pleshey Course) has run for over thirty years and provides the core skills and experience to prepare participants to offer the ministry of Spiritual Direction or some form of Christian accompaniment in their various contexts. This is an experiential course which runs over two academic years and consists of regular Thursday evening online sessions on Zoom with nine course days and two retreat days held on Saturdays at The Schoolroom and Chapel, Woodham Ferrers, near Chelmsford.

The course will help participants to grow in spiritual depth as they engage with others and discover more of their own journey with God. It is designed for mature Christians who already have experience of receiving some form of Spiritual Direction or accompaniment and who wish to explore and discern God’s call to offer this valuable ministry to others. Alongside online and in-person sessions, material will be provided for personal reflection and prayer.

Most people who successfully complete the course go on to offer one-to-one accompaniment, but the art of Spiritual Direction and its practice of deep prayerful listening can impact many other aspects of a person’s life and calling, such as traditional church ministry, pioneering and church planting, chaplaincy, missional activities, facilitating small groups, prayer ministry and pastoral care, as well as deepening one’s own spiritual life.

Applications are now open and close on Friday March 17th, 2023. Please visit our Contacts page for details of how to request an application form.

AN ECUMENICAL COURSE

The course is offered on behalf of the Essex and East London ecumenical network for Spiritual Direction and after successful completion of the course participants are eligible to be added to the network’s list of Spiritual Directors. The course is recognised by the Anglican and Catholic dioceses in Essex and the Baptist and Methodist regional leadership. Both the members of the Core Group and the participants on the course have always come from a variety of Christian denominations and traditions.

LOCATION

The Schoolroom and Chapel in Woodham Ferrers is near Chelmsford and is easily accessible from the A12 and A130. It has plenty of parking and also has nearby public transport links. The Chapel has a strong ethos of hospitality and welcome and there are outdoor spaces and nearby walks to enjoy.