Beyond the Basics - Tending the Call: Ongoing education and training for Spiritual Directors
Includes learning, a contemplative community and practices, experiential training, practical topics and more
Refresh - Grow - Bloom
Did you always wish Tending the Holy or your spiritual direction training program had a third year or kept going? Or that you could revisit some of those teachings now that you've been meeting with directees? Do you need a safe and wise community to discuss current issues and a place to keep learning?
Do you miss being in a contemplative community, where taking the time for quiet and talking about deep things is the norm? Longing for a refresher or to improve some of your skills as a director? Join us in Beyond the Basics.
This online program was created to provide continuing education for spiritual directors, while also including an experiential component. Each six-session unit will include learning about several common issues that come up in our spiritual direction ministries, along with communal group discussions where we can learn and be encouraged by one another
Full details about program content are on our Beyond the Basics webpage.
UNIT TWO - LISTENING TO OTHERS: Developing the art of Spiritual Direction in Times of Ease and Challenge - Fall 2026
Dates: Six sessions, Tuesdays - September 15 & 29; October 13 & 20; November 3 & 17, 2026.
3:00 - 5:00 pm CT Online via Zoom
The first hour will include our large group book discussion, teaching and a time for practical consultation questions; the second hour will be spent in small groups for skills development and practice, sharing of actual session issues, overseen by a trained facilitator/supervisor.
Required Resource: Our discussion for Unit 2 will use the book Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love by Acklin & Hicks. Please purchase it on your own and read Chapter 1 before the first class.
Cost :
$495 for Christos alumni; $595 for non-alumni per unit. A discount will be offered for those taking consecutive units (tba). The unit cost includes a $50 non-refundable cancellation fee.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: $50 off if you apply before August 18, 2026. Cost may also be paid in two installments.
Cancellation policy: If you cancel for any reason before August 31, 2026, your payment is refunded less a $50 nonrefundable cancellation fee. If you cancel after August 31, none of your payment is refunded, but is transferable to someone else if you can find a replacement to take your spot.
Registration deadline is August 31, 2026 at noon. A link to the online sessions will be emailed, along with class information, the week before the start of the sessions.
Facilitator is Cecilia Whitacre, Christos Chicago Tending the Holy Coordinator and trained supervisor. Questions? Contact cecilia@christoscenter.org
