Spiritual Directors International Men's Writing Institute

Spiritual Directors International wants to provide men more support for their spiritual direction ministry.  During the 2005 annual conference and symposium in Chicago, many men requested more focus and energy to writing about men's experience of spiritual direction.  To that end, Spiritual Directors International is collaborating with a men’s retreat for spiritual directors in February 2006, and sponsoring a Men’s Writing Institute – For Men Only, February 12-13.

During the Spiritual Directors International Men’s Writing Institute, in an atmosphere of vigorous conversation, silence, reflection and mutual support, participants will explore the outlines of a vision and practice of spiritual direction for men. To this end, participants will explore areas of men’s spiritual practice not reflected in popular writing. 

Spiritual Directors International Men’s Writing Institute
– For Men Only –
February 12 – 13, 2006

Together participants will:

• identify topics for future articles in Presence journal
• name writers for these articles
• brainstorm topics and identify writers to contribute to a book on men and spiritual direction
• try our hands at some actual writing on self selected topics.

This writing program will be animated by an experienced writer and facilitator: Rev. Doug Hodgkinson, MA

Doug Hodgkinson retired in 2002 as a parish priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. Prior to all this he did an MA in Adult Education at University of British Columbia (1973) and worked in the National Office of the Anglican Church for 16 years as a trainer and designer of educational events, as a consultant in clergy continuing education, and as director of a department of educators. He was on the steering committee of the Faith Development and the Adult Life Cycle Research Project. Doug was a "founding father" with other colleagues in Toronto of the journal The Practice of Ministry in Canada. As the name suggests it was established to foster writing of Canadian experience in ministry and to foster Canadian writers. He completed the Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction  in 1999, and continues to offer spiritual direction in the Central Okanagan.

Sponsored by: Spiritual Directors International in collaboration with the Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction

Who is Invited: Men who want to write about spiritual direction.  Limited to 15 participants.

Where:  Edenvale Conference and Retreat Centre, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (approximately one hour east of Vancouver, BC in the picturesque Fraser Valley).

Date:  Sunday evening, February 12 through Monday, February 13, 2006 (Commuters are welcome; an additional fee of C$45 for three meals may be arranged with Edenvale for commuters who desire meals to be provided).

Tuition:  US$40 or C$50 paid to Spiritual Directors International mailed to PO Box 3584, Bellevue, WA  98009-3584  USA.

Sunday Overnight Option: C$95 including three meals – Sunday supper, Monday breakfast and midday meal (arrange directly with Edenvale Retreat Centre).

Overnight accommodation is available at Edenvale Conference and Retreat Centre, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada for C$95 (approximately US$85), including three meals -- Sunday supper, Monday breakfast and midday meal.  Please make personal arrangements for overnight accommodations by contacting Edenvale Retreat Centre, office@edenvaleretreat.ca or call Michele at 604-856-3388.  To learn more about the Edenvale Retreat Centre, www.edenvaleretreat.ca

An airport shuttle service called Super Shuttle is available to bring you from the Vancouver airport directly to Edenvale Retreat Centre. They require 24 hours advance notice; to contact them for more information call 604-594-3333.

Too far to travel for a one-day Men’s Writing Institute?  Consider coming early...
The weekend before the Writing Institute, join “The Inner Adventure,” A Jubilee Men’s Retreat, February 10-12, 2006.  The Jubilee Men’s Retreat is sponsored by the Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction and is designed specifically for male spiritual directors.  For more information about the Jubilee Men’s Retreat, contact Don Grayston, grayston@sfu.ca  Please register for the Jubilee Men’s Retreat separately.  Don’t delay:  only seven openings for non-Jubilee Program alumni have been reserved for the Men’s Retreat until January 15. 

 

Jubilee Men's Retreat

For more information and a registration form for the Jubilee Men’s Retreat, click the link below.

Download Registration Form with Men's Writing Institute Brochure

Click here to download a printable version of the Men's Writing Institute Flyer and Registration Form.

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