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The Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction at the core of this learning stream is a programme which aims to equip those who are called to this ministry to confidently and competently accompany others.
The course can be taken in one of three ways: as a blend of onsite residential sessions and online support; mixed mode with online sessions and two residential; or, as an online course with an optional three-day onsite retreat. Scroll down for details on course formats.
The course is designed to provide a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Alongside the course, there are peer learning opportunities such as Spiritual Directors Forums.
I started the Sarum College Course in Spiritual Direction not sure where it would take me, but hoping to learn skills and techniques, and gain ’tools’ to enable and expand a budding ministry in Spiritual accompaniment.
I was in no way disappointed!
But also found that my own spirituality has developed and grown immensely as a result of the teaching, experience, and time spent with a wonderful group of fellow learners, and somewhat to me surprise, I am now back at Sarum training to be a Reader/LLM!
— Ian Stobart
Julia specialises in spiritual direction training and supervision, pastoral supervision and vocational and life coaching. She is the author of Listening to your Soul (Nov 2022) and Listening To Your Life: Creatively Discerning Your Calling (2016).
The Revd Mark Godson
Tutor in Spiritual Direction
Mark is a priest in the Church of England, a psychotherapist, spiritual director and supervisor.
Rooted in the contemplative wisdom tradition, he lives in the shadow of the Black Mountains on the Welsh border as a rural communities priest. Mark is chair of the (Ignatian) Society of Retreat Conductors, and a Director of The Mind Clinic. Mark has taught on formation programmes in spiritual direction since 2012, and developed a programme for the Diocese in Europe.
The Revd Ray Andrews
Tutor in Spiritual Direction.
A priest in the Diocese of Europe based in Spain, Mark serves as the Diocesan Spirituality Advisor for the Diocese in Europe and is a spiritual director, vocations advisor and retreat conductor.
He has a background in Mental Health and worked for many years as a psychiatric social worker and addictions counsellor in London.
He was ordained in Southwark Diocese in 2003 and served in London parishes before relocating to Spain in 2015.
Bronwen Pearson
Tutor in Spiritual Direction
Bronwen has part of the spiritual direction training team at Sarum College since 2021.
She is on the Salisbury Diocese Network of Spiritual Accompaniment register and provides spiritual direction through this and wider networks.
Bronwen also works as a psychotherapeutic counsellor (accredited by the BACP) and supervisor for spiritual directors, counsellors, clergy and a range of caring professions and holds senior accredited supervisor status with the Association of Pastoral Supervisors and Educators (APSE).
She has had experience of providing professional counselling and supervision training since 2012.
The initial focus is on personal experience; participants are invited to hone their self-awareness and listening, as preparation for listening to others with discernment. Students work in triads throughout the course.
Course days include learning input, space for personal reflection and working in smaller groups. Participants are asked to prepare for, and reflect after these sessions. There are some assignments which may include reading, writing a reflection, or sharing something which has been prepared.
As the course progresses, participants continue to develop their practice, paying particular attention to their skills, good practice, and a growing sense of what their own vocation may be in this area.
Towards the end of the course, participants submit some written evidence of learning – reflections rather than lengthy academic essays. Tutors expect course members to engage with the learning at a depth which is appropriate to their own capacity and experience. Our expectation is that whatever your background, Sarum can offer the context and resources to discern and prepare for the next chapter.
The initial focus is on personal experience; participants are invited to hone their self-awareness and listening, as preparation for listening to others with discernment. Students work in triads throughout the course.
Course days include learning input, space for personal reflection and working in smaller groups. Participants are asked to prepare for, and reflect after these sessions. There are some assignments which may include reading, writing a reflection, or sharing something which has been prepared. Although there is work to do, there is a ‘retreat-like’ quality to the time onsite and we ask course members to leave their emails and other concerns behind in order to engage fully with their experience and one another.
During the second year, participants continue to develop their practice, paying particular attention to their skills, good practice, and a growing sense of what their own vocation may be in this area.
Towards the end of the second year participants submit some written evidence of learning – reflections rather than lengthy academic essays. Tutors expect course members to engage with the learning at a depth which is appropriate to their own capacity and experience. Our expectation is that whatever your background, Sarum can offer the context and resources to discern and prepare for the next chapter.
Residential modules will be held on the following dates, supported by online resources. The course begins on 26 September 2024 (see full schedule below).
Course dates (beginning 10 am on the first day to 4pm on the final day)
26/09/2024 | 10:00 AM | 27/09/2024 |
21/11/2024 | 10:00 AM | 22/11/2024 |
06/02/2025 | 10:00 AM | 07/02/2025 |
27/03/2025 | 10:00 AM | 28/03/2025 |
25/06/2025 (2-overnights) | 10:00 AM | 27/06/2025 |
25/09/2025 | 10:00 AM | 26/09/2025 |
06/11/2025 | 10:00 AM | 07/11/2025 |
22/01/2026 | 10:00 AM | 23/01/2026 |
19/03/2026 | 10:00 AM | 20/03/2026 |
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction (online)
The Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction (online) shares the same values, ethos and approach to learning, adapted to the online environment. It includes teaching, small group work and spiritual direction practice, supported by access to resources on Sarum Learn, including library support, with our growing range of ebooks, journals as well as a postal service.
This course is open to participants from outside the UK at no extra cost. The course will be held in two parts, each consisting of four two-day modules online.
The 2024-2025 course is now underway.
If you’re interested in joining the spiritual direction course, in the first instance, please complete the application form and we will invite you to attend a Zoom meeting to explore the different course options to discuss which format might suit you best.
Mixed Mode Course
The Mixed Mode option offers an opportunity to visit Sarum College for a week at the beginning of the Course in October and again at the end of the Course in March. There are two residential sessions which ‘bookend’ the course, enabling us to meet onsite to take advantage of the College and Salisbury Cathedral, as well as the medieval city of Salisbury.
You may choose to extend your stay either side of the course dates if you wish and there is a preferential B&B rate for this.
Between these two residential gatherings the group will meet for a day on Zoom every 4 to 6 weeks. As with all our courses, you have support resources on our Moodle (virtual learning) site SarumLearn.
This format is ideal for those who want an onsite component to their study but aren’t able to travel frequently.
If you’re interested in the course, in the first instance, please complete the application form and we will invite you to attend a Zoom meeting to explore the different course options to discuss which format might suit you best.
The course is designed to model and reflect the nature and values of spiritual direction at every level throughout your time at Sarum.
Some of the themes we will explore during the course include:
Sarum is blessed with one of the most beautiful locations in the country, underpinned by a warm welcome, generous hospitality and great food.
Our location in Salisbury Cathedral Close, in buildings where theology has been taught for more than 160 years, along with a supportive community of learning allows time for reflection and contemplation, which is such a rarity in our otherwise busy lives.
Visit our hospitality site to see more images of classroom, bedroom, dining and public spaces.
Those participating in the online version of the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction have the option to join an optional, additional three-day retreat module which supports the Course but is not necessary for its completion.
The course is ecumenical and we welcome applications from all those interested in pursuing it. The course draws on the Christian tradition in particular but applications are not limited to those who follow this tradition.
You will receive a short application form which asks for a little background information.
Please complete this as a Word document and send it via email to cwhimpenny@sarum.ac.uk (no handwritten applications please).
You will then be invited to a taster session and/or further conversation to explore and discern.
Completing an application form does not commit you but opens a conversation and secures your place in the application process. Applications are considered in the order in which they are received and there is no deadline or competitive interviewing. Early application is therefore advised. After further conversation, if we are able to offer a place, this will be for the next available and appropriate course in the light of all relevant factors.
Download an application for a Spiritual Direction Programme
At the end of the course, students who have completed the requirements will receive a Certificate of Attendance. This is not a licence to practice, qualification or accreditation. There is currently no mechanism for this in the UK. However, the Certificate of Attendance from Sarum College is readily accepted by Anglican dioceses and other church networks as evidence of proper training. Individual churches will have their own structures for good practice and safeguarding. If you exercise a ministry of spiritual direction you must follow the guidance and requirements appropriate to your own context.
The 2023-2025 onsite course
The course fee is £1,988 per year for two years (£3,976 total).
The course price includes the residential and online components and resources, all accommodation and catering, access to wifi in college, basic support in using the SarumLearn student learning portal, and library membership.
Additional B&B may be booked at a discounted educational rate, subject to availability.
Participants commit to one year at a time and it is possible (though not usual) to defer the second year. Some students access grants for financial support of course costs.
2023-2025 Mixed-Mode Course in Spiritual Direction
The course fee is £1,799 per year (£3598 in total) which does not include accommodation charges for the two residential sessions October 2 to 6, 2023 and March 31 to April 4, 2025.
2024 (Online) Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction
The course is delivered in two parts, each consisting of four two-day online modules.
The course fee is £1,498 for Part 1 (March – September 2024) and £1,498 for Part 2 (November 2024 – May 2025). The total course fee is £2,996.
There is an optional, additional retreat module in Autumn 2024 (dates tbc) for those who would like the opportunity to visit Sarum College. This module supports the course but is not necessary to complete it successfully.
There is no extra cost for international participation.
Visit our page on grantmaking trusts for a list of potential sources
‘Having gained and used skills in listening and counselling in an informal way during my ministry, I welcomed the opportunity to put these into practice and to learn new skills to add to my ‘toolbox’. I felt called but uncertain that I would become a Spiritual Director at the outset, but the two years helped me to grow in confidence and to become a Director in a more formal way.’
— The Revd Gerry Baudains
‘When the pandemic meant we were unable to meet at Sarum I was really glad that the course could continue online.
Like so many others, I had quite quickly become familiar with zoom and found this an accessible and reliable resource. I missed not meeting with others in person and the interaction when you’re together in the same room. However, zoom did have advantages eg more time efficient, the comfort and familiarity of your own home, spaces between sessions and good rest breaks again in familiar surroundings. For those hesitant about an online course I would want to say: do give it a go, the leaders will make sure you have all you need and you’ll meet some really wonderful people in a kind, supportive and stimulating way.’
— Peter Seal
Sarum College is an ideal site for the course, offering en-suite accommodation for the nine residential modules. There are 19 days onsite over 18 months, with five modules in the first year and four in the second.
Salisbury Cathedral is immediately opposite our front gate and many students choose to attend Morning Prayer and Evensong or drop in for a reflective moment. The College is right at the heart of Salisbury city centre and some students extend their stay a little in order to enjoy this as well as walks to Old Sarum or along the riverside.
Course members also have access to the ‘SarumLearn’ student portal which provides online resources between meetings.
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