In the 1980s, there was an upsurge of renewed interest in the ancient Christian ministry of spiritual direction/accompaniment. For many years here in Gloucestershire, amongst a wide portfolio of activities, the ecumenical Spirituality Network of Gloucestershire (a body in association with Gloucestershire Churches Together) had a role in caring for the ongoing work started then of both the training course and supporting enquirers to find a spiritual companion from the directory held of available spiritual directors.
As the work continued to grow and flourish, it was felt that a dedicated organisation was now needed. So, in January 2020 the Gloucestershire Spiritual Direction Trust was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission.
So, spiritual directors in Gloucestershire now belong to a Trust community which is an ecumenical body unattached to any church, denomination or diocese, while having positive links with as many different expressions of church as is possible.
As the work continued to grow and flourish, it was felt that a dedicated organisation was now needed. So, in January 2020 the Gloucestershire Spiritual Direction Trust was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission.
So, spiritual directors in Gloucestershire now belong to a Trust community which is an ecumenical body unattached to any church, denomination or diocese, while having positive links with as many different expressions of church as is possible.
The purpose of the Trust as stated in its constitution is:
It is helpful to know that the language and terminology of spiritual direction varies between different traditions. So, a spiritual director may alternatively be referred to as a soul friend, accompanier, anam cara or spiritual companion.
The Trust achieves its charitable purposes by:
- To promote awareness and understanding of the practice of spiritual direction.
- To teach, promote and facilitate this ancient Christian practice for the benefit of people of all denominations and none, in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. In particular, to facilitate a vocational training course for those drawn to this ministry.
It is helpful to know that the language and terminology of spiritual direction varies between different traditions. So, a spiritual director may alternatively be referred to as a soul friend, accompanier, anam cara or spiritual companion.
The Trust achieves its charitable purposes by:
- providing a course in training for spiritual directors - A Companion’s Way
- helping connect those approaching us seeking spiritual direction with our Ecumenical Community of Spiritual Directors, which is part of the Trust
- organising meetings and opportunities for on-going training and development for practising spiritual directors (through the work of the Ecumenical Community)
- ensuring Supervision is available and that spiritual directors hold themselves to the highest ethical standards.
The Trust is constituted as a peer group of those trained in the practice of spiritual direction who join together as a community for mutual support, exchange of ideas, to update knowledge and skills, and to foster a culture of professional competence and on-going personal development. Our approach is that we are all amateurs i.e. lovers of this practice, acting in a professional, respectful and ethical manner at all times.
The trustees are recruited from within the Ecumenical Community of Spiritual Directors or are asked to join because of particular skills (eg accountancy/administrative). All trustees hold a like-minded understanding of the contemplative nature and practice of spiritual direction.
The trustees see themselves as a group that serves and supports the gathered community of individual practitioners in spiritual direction, but does not exercise authority over them or hold liability for the work of individual members of its community.
We do set standards for people joining our community and expect our members to adhere to our guidelines of good practice. Through this, the Trust does all it can to ensure that directors are fully aware of best practice. And, that they are in regular supervision and continue to engage with their own formation in this work, thus encouraging all practitioners in the community to aspire to the highest standards.
The Trust seeks to keep enquirers safe and confident in the listening they experience. However, the Trust does not exercise authority over or hold liability for the actions and practice of any director whose details are available to enquirers. Our members work as individual practitioners in private practice, and it is a private contract between each spiritual director and directee.
The trustees are recruited from within the Ecumenical Community of Spiritual Directors or are asked to join because of particular skills (eg accountancy/administrative). All trustees hold a like-minded understanding of the contemplative nature and practice of spiritual direction.
The trustees see themselves as a group that serves and supports the gathered community of individual practitioners in spiritual direction, but does not exercise authority over them or hold liability for the work of individual members of its community.
We do set standards for people joining our community and expect our members to adhere to our guidelines of good practice. Through this, the Trust does all it can to ensure that directors are fully aware of best practice. And, that they are in regular supervision and continue to engage with their own formation in this work, thus encouraging all practitioners in the community to aspire to the highest standards.
The Trust seeks to keep enquirers safe and confident in the listening they experience. However, the Trust does not exercise authority over or hold liability for the actions and practice of any director whose details are available to enquirers. Our members work as individual practitioners in private practice, and it is a private contract between each spiritual director and directee.