Spirituality
What is Christian Spirituality?
- "Spirituality has to do with our experiencing of God and with the transformation of our consciousness and our lives as outcomes of that experience" - Richard O'Brien, in Catholicism, p. 1058
- "... spiritual maturity or spiritual fulfillment necessarily involves the whole person – body, mind and soul, place, relationships – in connection with the whole of creation throughout the era of time. ...spirituality encompasses the whole person in the totality of existence in the world, not some fragment or scrap or incident of a person" - William Stringfellow, in Politics of Spirituality, p. 22
- “…. Spirituality is concerned with the shaping, empowering and maturing of the ‘spiritual person’ (1 Cor 2: 14-15) – that is, the person alive to and responsive to God in the world ….” - Alister McGrath, Evangelicalism and The Future of Christianity Downers Grove: IVP, 1995 p. 125
Visit Manchester Diocese's Spirit of Life web site for even more information.
The Revd Mike Banyard
Spirituality Adviser01638 721616
An Introduction to Spirituality
Leaflet:
Opportunities for Spiritual Direction in the Cambridgeshire area
Websites:
Manchester Diocese's Spirit of Life web siteBooks:
Spirituality Quiet Days and Retreats
- Try a Quiet Day at Bishop Woodford House or Ferrar House.
- Look for weekend retreats or even longer ones at Bishop Woodford House, Ferrar House or further afield. Information available from the Retreat Association or email info@retreats.org.uk. Look out for Courses in Christian Prayer and Spirituality. There may be one coming to a venue near you. More courses are being planned at different locations in the Diocese.
- Braver now? Look out for a Retreat in Daily Life. This is a non-residential retreat where you meet with a Prayer Companion for about 30 minutes daily for four days; this gives you an opportunity to talk about what’s going on in your prayer and the relationship between prayer and the whole of your life.
- Going deeper? Look for an Individually Guided Retreat. These are silent retreats usually lasting 6 to 8 days. An hour each day is spent talking with your spiritual director. For more information you can email or write to:
- Clare Priory, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8NX
- St Michael’s Convent, 56 Ham Common, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7JH
- or visit the St Michael's Convent Website
Spiritual Accompaniment? What on earth is that?
“Having someone alongside you as you explore your relationship with God. This involves a form of ‘holy listening’ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to help you be more responsive to the presence of God in your life.”
(from An Occasional Information Paper produced on behalf of the Diocesan Spirituality Group by the Rev’d Andrew McKearney)
Spiritual Accompaniment for me? Well, maybe. How do I find out a bit more about it first?
There is a helpful leaflet called Choosing a spiritual guide, produced by The Retreat Association, The Central Hall, 256 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UH or visit their website
If you would like to be put in touch with a Spiritual Companion, please contact the Spirituality Officer, Mike Banyard.
The Cambridgeshire Course in Spiritual Direction
There have been successive two year, part-time training courses in the Cambridge area held either at Cambridge or Ely. They are open to lay people and clergy,men and women and are ecumenical. The next course will begin in October 2010. These courses are led by an ecumenical team of people trained in this ministry.
If you would like to find out more please contact The Course Administrator, Judy Sansom
The Simeon Centre for Prayer and the Spiritual Life
The Simeon Centre, based at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, is dedicated to helping both leaders and laypeople grow in their desire and capacity to pray, and to be better equipped to guide and enable others to pray. You can get involved through:
- Conference and quiet days
- Prayer resources and prayer training
- Projects in spirituality as evangelism
- Spiritual direction and sabbaticals at Ridley Hall
- Membership in an intentional praying community, the Simeon Community
Visit The Simeon Centre webpage for more information or email Director with specific queries.