Spiritual Accompaniment / Direction
In spiritual accompaniment (sometimes called spiritual direction) you can meet with someone - a spiritual companion - to share your story, thoughts and reflections about your life and faith.
They will listen carefully to you. They will provide a space in which you can look at what is happening in your life and seek to recognize the presence of God.
You will meet together regularly - every 6-12 weeks, for about an hour.
Who is a spiritual companion?
A spiritual companion is someone who:
- listens
- can help you reflect deeply about your faith journey
- can help you reflect on your relationship with God
- does not seek to solve problems or give advice.
Spiritual companions have received specific training for this ministry - in spiritual accompaniment and safeguarding. They come from a wide range of ages and traditions. They may be lay people or ordained. It is important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable.
Who is spiritual accompaniment for?
Spiritual accompaniment is open to everyone. There are no expectations or special requirements, just a readiness to share your story with another person and an openness to God.
Is there a charge for spiritual accompaniment ?
Spiritual companions in our diocese do not charge.
Click here for a document summarising this information on what spiritual accompaniment is.
How do I find a spiritual companion ?
The Diocese of Chester has a list of people who offer spiritual accompaniment, and will support you in choosing one, if you wish. For a copy of the list, or to talk through with someone the process of choosing one, please email ministry@chester.anglican.org
Click here for more information on the process of choosing a spiritual companion.
How do I train to be a spiritual companion?
We are looking for people, lay and ordained, who feel the beginning of a call to offer spiritual accompaniment. It may be that you find others confiding in you, or that you listen deeply to others. You will already have significant and current experience of receiving spiritual accompaniment.
We run the Spiritual Accompaniment Learning Together (SALT) course for those wanting to train to offer spiritual accompaniment.
SALT is a rolling programme, so you may be able to start at a time that suits you. It will focus on your own learning journey, working with a mentor, so that it can be tailored to your unique needs and abilities.
In the course, you will be able to engage with many learning opportunities: with your mentor, in teaching sessions and retreats at Foxhill, in becoming a member of one of the supervision groups in the Diocese, and in your own receiving of spiritual accompaniment.
Click here for more information on the SALT course or email spirituality@chester.anglican.org
Click below for a short video on spiritual accompaniment.