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God's beauty speaks in nature and in our hearts, leading to new understanding. The Tracy Arms Fjord, Alaska, July 2010.
Listening to God's voice amidst life's transitions
The Spirituality Network of Chicago links experienced spiritual directors, retreat leaders, and experts in financial, mental, and physical health with persons seeking to listen to God's voice during times of transition, adjustment, or crisis. Our network embraces individuals from a variety of Christian traditions with varying perspectives - all united by the belief that God speaks in our lives when we learn to be attentive.
We seek
to:
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Explore the mystery of God
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Experience reverence in God’s presence
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Cultivate a sense of the sacred
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Affirm that we are all God’s beloved
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Provide a safe environment for spiritual questioning and exploration
Participants in programs and events are encouraged to:
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Develop a greater sense of calling
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Accept and experience Christ’s love
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Gain new perspectives on life, especially in times of transition
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Tap further into their own giftedness and creative potential
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Find peace
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Reverence God’s creation
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Become more aware of the loving community that surrounds us all
What we offer
- Individual spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is a process of listening for God’s movement and voice in one’s life in the presence of spiritual guide or companion. The spiritual guide helps one focus on the sources of life, light, and peace in a busy world where God’s voice is difficult to hear. People enter spiritual direction to go deeper into their spiritual and personal lives and to move closer to God. One typically meets with the director monthly and may pay a modest fee. Our directors have special training in spirituality, counseling, pastoral care, or social work.
- Group spiritual direction. Groups can be formed around any common interest or issue; group members help each other listen for God's movement with a trained facilitator. Groups might, for example, include people with a particular missional interest, empty-nesters, those transitioning into retirement or seeking a more meaningful career, those coping with chronic illness, or simply a group of friends. Again, a modest fee may be charged.
- Quiet days and retreats. Sometimes, we are invited by God into a time of discernment through intentional days of reflection. Quiet days and retreats are offered periodically around a number of themes. For example, one popular offering centers on discovering God both in nature and within our own souls. Other themes may include: aging and spirituality, spirituality and psychological well-being, encountering God through art and imagination, finding God in dreams, or listening to the voices within us.
- Topical seminars. Informational seminars and support groups can be arranged around a variety of topics with an appropriate number of sessions. Possible topics might include: the spirituality of money, financial and spiritual planning for retirement, ways of listening for the voice of God in busy lives, life after divorce, health and spiritual needs of aging parents, or gardening or exercising as meditative activities.
