Are you looking for someone to accompany you on your spiritual journey and prayer life?
Why? - People seek this ministry at different points in their lives and for various reasons. It can be a way
- to make better sense of your faith journey.
- to find clarity and support at times of significant life choices.
- to respond more deeply to God’s presence and move forward towards wholeness and freedom.
Who? - The person offering this ministry will be a person of prayer who makes the commitment to accepting you as you are and where you are. The companion or guide’s role is to support the discernment of God’s activity in your life.
What can I talk about? - The important thing is that this is a ‘sacred space’ into which we can bring anything but into which we do not have to bring anything. There are no expectations, and no judgement. It is a listening and accepting space.
- Sometimes the person has a sense of something happening in their life and needing to make sense of it in a spiritual context: ‘Where is God in this for me?’
- Sometimes people have a particular spiritual issue they want to work through.
- Sometimes it is as simple as: ‘How can I pray?’
- Sometimes it is an individual’s awareness of God inviting them to ‘something more’, and needing help to work out what that is really all about.
So the answer to the question is: ‘Anything that impacts on your relationship with God.’
How? - People usually meet face to face, normally in the accompanier’s home, but other arrangements can be made if, for whatever reason, this is not possible.
How often? - It can vary from every few weeks to twice a year. The length of the meeting also varies according to individual need. However a very common pattern is to meet about once every six weeks for an hour or so.
Does it cost anything? - For some who offer this ministry, this is their livelihood and they need to be paid, while for others, they can offer this ministry free. Whether payment is expected or not is indicated on the list.
How do I find someone? - This is a very individual and confidential relationship; it is important to pray about it, take your time and ask advice in order to find the right person.
- There may be someone whom you already know whom you would like to ask; if you do so you may well find that they offer this ministry and that others have asked them before you.
- A parish priest can often suggest someone or make connections that are helpful.
- There is a list of people which you can obtain from the STEM Office – 01865 208252 or email spidir@oxford.anglican.org.
- Any of the people in this list will be used to exploring with new people how spiritual direction accompaniment can work, and might work for you.
- If none of these work you can contact any member of the task group that organises this list who will be pleased to help you. Their details are on the list.
