Companionship for the Soul
Are you seeking a quiet, judgment-free place to bring your noticings of God?
Do you desire to put Love at the center of all your decision-making?
The Lydia Group is pleased to offer spiritual companionship in an online group setting. Facilitated over Zoom with TLG Staff and experienced spiritual companions, these sessions invite you into a gentle pool of kindness where you can share your story, be heard by compassionate listeners, and receive the experience of group spiritual direction in the comfort of your home. If you are interested, please read on…
Group Spiritual Direction could be an excellent fit for you.
What is Group Spiritual Direction?
Group spiritual direction is the creation of a safe container for deeper listening to God. The group's focus is to be companions and co-listeners for the voice of God. Through a process, the group assists each other in stopping, looking, and listening for God's movements and invitations in the story of their individual lives and how they might best respond to God's Voice --- thus transforming who we are and how we understand and live out our calling in our little corner of the world.
How does Group Spiritual Direction work?
Those seeking to participate in a group commit to be in a group of 4 to 6 persons for 6 to 12 months, meeting for 1.5 to 2 hours each session. Groups will decide the day of the week and time to meet, either in person or virtually. Groups can start anytime.
In Margaret Guenther's book HOLY LISTENING: The Art of Spiritual Direction, she likens spiritual direction to midwifery to the soul. She is saying that our soul can be birthed. Some souls are waiting to be brought to life — and spiritual direction (one-on-one or in a group) can assist significantly.
What happens during each session?
Silence: This centering time helps us access our inner teacher (the Spirit of Truth) and allows the circle to gather their hearts into a common desire for God and honor God's Spirit as the primary spiritual director.
Sharing: Someone presents. The group prayerfully listens without interruption.
Silence: The group listens together for God’s Holy question to the presenter.
Response: Group members respond with an image or one short open-ended question to help the presenter access their Inner Teacher, the Holy Spirit.
Silence – The group prays for the presenter in silence.
Steps 2-5 are repeated for each person in the group.
The group closes by reflecting on their time together.
What does it cost?
Group spiritual direction is $35 per session. If a group runs for 6 months, your total will be $210. Partial scholarships are available. Nancy Bellamy or Ann Starrette are the facilitators of the groups.
“Listening to our hearts brings us to the core of our being, where we are most authentically ourselves. In that place, we can hear God’s prayer within us.” - Rose Mary Dougherty
Take the next step - there is a place for you.
Jesus indicates that our soul should be prized and tended above all else. "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
The role of a midwife, assisting in quiet miracles, was critical way back when (i.e., Exodus 1:15-21) and just as important today.
If your soul is stirred to know more about the ancient process of midwifery known as group spiritual direction for your own soul -
If you long to support the birthing process of others by expanding your capacity to listen to God in your heart and the hearts of others -
If you are interested in facilitating a group of people for this purpose, you must participate first —