Spiritual accompaniment

Within each of us lies a desire to find meaning beyond the moment. Spiritual accompaniment can help you satisfy that longing.

Spiritual accompaniment encourages you to explore a closer relationship with God in the midst of everyday life through meeting with a spiritual director or guide to share your faith experience. 

On this page we cover

What is spiritual accompaniment?
Reasons for exploring spiritual accompaniment
Meeting with a spiritual accompanier
What happens
Spiritual Accompaniment Training

What is spiritual accompaniment?

In the midst of a busy life, many people find it difficult to notice God’s actions in their daily affairs. Yet at the deepest level, all of us long for a more conscious experience of God’s presence and love.

In spiritual accompaniment, you reflect deeply on the experience of your daily life. Gradually as you reflect you may begin to recognise God’s presence and grace in your life. You may come to realise how God’s spirit is truly with you every day and everywhere.

You discover that God has been waiting for you to seek this closer relationship. Spiritual direction is not about being ‘directed’. (Many prefer to use the term spiritual accompaniment.) Rather, it is about being encouraged to draw closer to God.

Being accompanied invites you to this relationship.
 

Reasons for exploring spiritual accompaniment

You may come to spiritual accompaniment for a variety of reasons: 

• To identify and trust your own experience of God.
• To integrate spirituality into your daily life.
• To understand your situation and make choices.
• To share your hopes, struggles and losses.
• To understand and recognise your response to God's call to serve the world.
   

Meeting with a spiritual accompanier

The privilege and responsibility of a Spiritual Accompanier is to journey with you as you deepen your relationship with God.

The journey takes place in the context of confidentiality. Most Spiritual Directors have extensive training and formation and are seasoned in the art of spiritual direction. You and your Spiritual Director will agree on the location, time and frequency of meetings that are convenient for both of you.

Some Spiritual Accompaniers will accept a donation, but no one seeking accompaniment will be excluded because of cost.
 

What happens

After three or four sessions you will have the opportunity to evaluate the relationship. Whether your relationship with the Spiritual Accompanier continues for many years or for only a short period, it is essential to be comfortable with your Spiritual Accompanier.

What is shared between you is held in confidence.

Rochester Diocese has a network of experienced Spiritual Accompaniers. If you are interested in exploring with a Spiritual Accompanier please contact the team.

Spiritual Accompaniment Training

• Spiritual Accompaniment Course by Canterbury & Rochester Dioceses will be running in 2025. For more information download the brochure

• Rochester and Canterbury Dioceses Ongoing formation for Spiritual Accompaniers

  From: Chris Dench, Susanne Carlsson and Joel Love
  Dates : 10-12 September 2024
  Venue : LES TOURELLES, 62360 CONDETTE, France.
  Les Tourelles is about 30-40 minutes’ drive from Calais.  

  A programme for those who are trained as Spiritual Accompaniers either on the Spiritual Accompaniment Programme in Rochester and Canterbury Diocese or other related courses and would like to develop their skills further.  
  It will include some theory, practice of spiritual accompaniment, supervision and also time for personal reflection.

  This will take place from 4:00pm on Tuesday 10th of Sep and will finish at 3:00pm on Thursday 12th Sep 2024 at Les Tourelles, Condette, France.

  The cost is £170. This does not include travel.
  Once you have registered your interest, a list of participants will be sent to you, so you can make your travel arrangements.
  As places are limited, please send expressions of interest, or fill out the application form and return to: training@rochester.anglican.org by 31 May 2024.

   

Key Contacts