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
Come join our contemplative community, where taking the time for quiet and talking about deep things is the norm. Quench that longing for a refresher or improve some of your skills as a Spiritual Director, while being supported and encouraged. We present Beyond the Basics in three online units (six sessions each), which may be taken independently or in any sequence. The Winter/Spring unit begins in January 2027.
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.
WINTER / SPRING UNIT - LISTENING TO SELF: Exploring the Contemplative Dimensions / January - April 2027
Dates: Six sessions, Tuesdays - January 19; Feb. 2 & 16; March 2 & 16; April 6, 2027
11:00 am - 1:00 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 the Winter/Spring Unit will include Sacred is the Call, Suzanne Buckley, editor.
You are also invited to purchase this optional devotional, to enhance your experience throughout the Unit, if desired. Hospitality: The Dance Between Guest and Host, a 40-Day Praxis. This can be purchased through Contemplative Outreach, https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/store/
Cost :
$495 for Christos alumni; $595 for non-alumni per unit. A $50 discount will be offered for those taking consecutive units. The unit cost includes a $50 non-refundable cancellation fee.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: $50 off if you apply before Dec. 22, 2026. Cost may also be paid in two installments.
Cancellation policy: If you cancel for any reason before January 5, 2027 your payment is refunded less a $50 nonrefundable cancellation fee. If you cancel after January 5, 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 January 5, 2027 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
