The Art of Spiritual Writing – 31 Jan 2026, 10am-12noon
Writing is not something that naturally occurs within the process of Spiritual Direction these days. And yet it can be a very effective way of opening doors to shed more light on the identity and spiritual journey of the companion. This event will provide some simple effective tools to help to open those occasionally sticking doors and to promote a deeper rapport.
Hosted by Richard and Eirene Palmer who have recently published The Art of Spiritual Writing, discovering your most authentic writing … and more about yourself on the way, published by Darton, Longman and Todd. They facilitate retreats and courses on spiritual writing and the spiritual journey. Richard served nationally as Groups’ Coordinator for the Association of Christian Writers. Eirene runs a blog, backstreetpilgrim.com.
Profiling ourselves as Spiritual Directors with Ray AndrewsMay 2024 Drawing on his own experience Ray explored how we might profile ourselves as spiritual directors or accompaniers – and how this can help or hinder those seeking direction. The Revd Ray Andrews is the Diocesan Spirituality Adviser for the Church of England Diocese in Europe. He…
Spiritual Direction Forum 2025 – 8 November Our online day conference explored the interplay of theology, spirituality and spiritual direction and how this is an integral part of Christian spiritual direction. The day included two presentations, time for reflection and group work. You can view the presentations and the slides here. Also, is a summary…
The Bield at Blackruthven is growing their Pastoral Team, and they are currently seeking a new Pastoral Team Leader to join their residential community near Perth. This is a full-time, residential post for someone with a heart for spiritual accompaniment, pastoral care, and collaborative leadership. Application deadline: 11th May 2026Interviews: 27th May 2026 For information…
Seeing in the Dark: Accompanying people through times of struggle and uncertainty You can download the handout from Chris’s morning here. Christopher Chapman’s morning of reflection ‘Seeing in the Dark was part of the Spiritual Direction Forum UK’s ‘supporting and resourcing spiritual directors‘ . Saturday 3 December 2022, 10.00 – 13.00. Life is joyful, beautiful and a…
Streams in the Desert – Julie Dunstan 2 February 2023 As part of the Spiritual Direction Forum UK’s ‘encouraging the creative development of this ministry within the church and in a changing world’, we offer this evening of reflection with Julie Leger Dunstan. To reach out to both the church and the world in these changing…
THE ART OF SPIRITUAL WRITING Using writing to deepen discernment and direction – with Richard and Eirene Palmer You can watch the recording of this session here. https://youtu.be/xNERkjyr7gA
Group 3. To advocate and encourage the creative development of this ministry within the church and in a changing world by
Group Members: Julie Dunstan, Chris Chapman, Julia Mourant, Naomi Gates and Sarah Lear
Group 2. To promote and protect good practice by
Group Members: Susanne Carlsson, Nick Helm, Chris Mason, Rachel Overton, Ruth Holgate

We desire

In the same spirit in which Spiritual Direction is conducted, we will endeavour to:

Create a Core Committee
Create three working groups to represent the three faces of the forum
The committee has been operating from the beginning. Current membership is: Nick Helm & Julie Dunstan (co-chairs), Ruth Holgate, Susanne Carlsson, Catherine Williams.
It has:
Group 1. To support and resource spiritual directors by
Group Members: Catherine Williams (Chair), Ray Andrews, Mary Flitcroft, Henriette Howarth, Peter Rainford & Vron Smith