Oasis Ministries

A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM
in Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Guidance

Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides, now in its 17th year, is a two-year training program in contemplative prayer and spiritual direction. During the two years, participants will experience and learn to practice the disciplines of contemplative prayer and the art of contemplative spiritual direction. Through both years, participants will discover the richness of contemplative community, the intimacy of small group interaction, and the depths of contemplative prayer.

“Oasis has been a life-affirming and changing experience for me. It touches every part of my existence and how I see myself now.”

Kathy Fitz

Writer and Spiritual Director

Class of 2006

Location

Kenbrook (45 minutes east of Harrisburg)

190 Pine Meadow Rd. Lebanon, PA 17046

Phone: 717.865.4547 — www.kenbrook.org

For Whom

SDSG is especially suited to those who are seeking to deepen their practice of prayer and learn about being a spiritual companion to others. Lay persons and clergy are welcome.

Year II is for persons with Year I or equivalent.

Class Size and Credits: Class size is limited to 30. If you are seeking Continuing Education Credit, 6.6 CEUs are available per year.

The format for each year consists of two retreats (an opening two-day retreat in October, and a closing two-day retreat in May) and six monthly day-long sessions in between.

Year I

The intent of the first year of SDSG is to provide experiences of contemplative prayer and training in the art of being a spiritual director. Participants are asked to have a spiritual director and, by January 2008, to serve as a spiritual guide for two individuals.

A reflection paper is also required.

The focus in the first year is twofold: grounding participants in the Christian contemplative tradition, through readings (both classical and contemporary), class presentations on a variety of topics and prayer experiences, along with assisting participants in being a guide for others in their spiritual journey. Meeting days include a rhythm of teaching sessions, prayer experiences, community building, individual reflection, discussion, and small group experience. Central to our process in both years, peer groups of 4-6 people spend time each month in spiritual support of one another and in reflecting together on the practice of spiritual direction in which the participants are engaged. Each peer group is facilitated by a trained spiritual director.

Year II

The intent of the second year of SDSG is to provide opportunities to continue practicing the disciplines of contemplative prayer, drawing on a unique spiritual tradition each month, as well as further training in spiritual direction. Each person is asked to have a spiritual director and to serve as a spiritual guide for two individuals. Two reflection papers are also required.

In the second year, the rhythm of meeting days is very similar to the first year; however, the content of the second year includes prayer experiences and sessions devoted to key issues of spiritual direction, further readings in spirituality, psychology, and Christian mysticism, and two-hour peer group sessions (4-6 people) for spiritual support and deepening the practice of spiritual direction.

LEADERS:

Glenn Mitchell, M.Div., is Director of Training and Program for Oasis Ministries and a lead teacher in SDSG. Glenn has a practice of spiritual direction and retreat leadership in State College, Pa. He is a Shalem graduate and has particular interest in the intersection of spirituality and the arts.

Nancy L. Bieber, M.A., M.S. a lead teacher for SDSG, was a psychologist for 25 years but now has a practice as spiritual director and retreat leader in Lancaster, PA. A Quaker and a graduate of Shalem Institute, Nancy regularly leads retreats for Pendle Hill the Quaker Study Center and teaches classes on prayer at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Bonita Rose Collins-Hobbs, M. Div., is pastor of Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, located in Darby Twp., Sharon Hill, PA. She is a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary, a spiritual director, an ordained elder with the CME Church since 1988, and founder of "Uniqueness with Faith Ministries (501c3)”.

“In this busy world I have learned to pull back from some responsibilities and stay in the moment. I don’t have to make things happen when I allow God to be in charge!”

Donna Kulik

Spiritual Companion

Class of 2006

Marc Oehler, M.Div., LCSW, is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, and Oasis Ministries' SDSG program. Marc currently serves as Associate Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township and is a spiritual director and retreat leader in New Jersey.

Ruth Zeiders, MBA, CRM, has a practice in reiki healing and training, as well as in spiritual direction, in Clearfield County, PA. She is a graduate of the SDSG and DYDM programs of Oasis Ministries. Ruth has a deep interest in healing ministry, and leads retreats.

ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP PROVIDED BY:

Kent Ira Groff, D.Rel., Founding Mentor of Oasis Ministries, spiritual director, church consultant, and author of several books. He presently resides in Denver, CO, and leads retreats and seminars at various seminaries, churches and conference centers across the nation.

Dates -- 2008-2009 Year

YEAR I

OPENING RETREAT

10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 30, 2008

through 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 1, 2008

MONTHLY SESSIONS (Wednesdays)

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,

Nov. 5, Dec. 3, 2008

Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 4, Apr. 1, 2009

CLOSING RETREAT

10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009

through 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2009

YEAR II

OPENING RETREAT

10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 2, 2008

through 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 3, 2008

MONTHLY SESSIONS (Thursdays)

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,

Nov. 6, Dec. 4, 2008

Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 2, 2009

CLOSING RETREAT

10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7,

through 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2009

“The last two years have been of tremendous value to me. It has given me the skills, tools and encouragement to do the things God has placed before me to do.”

Sr. Patricia Michael Hauze

Spiritual Director

Class of 2006

TO APPLY, OR,
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Click here to download and print a PDF version* of the 2008-2009 Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides brochure and Application form.
Call 717-737-8222 to request a copy of the program brochure.
Email your request to oasismin@oasismin.org.

* Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print the brochure. If you do not have the software, a free copy can be downloaded by clicking

TUITION PER YEAR: $1,950

Plus Application fee of $200 (non-refundable after program begins) sent with registration form.

If application fee received by May 30:

discount $50 from application fee

If application fee received after August 30:

add $50 to application fee

The balance of first year’s tuition is to be paid in five equal installments of $390 due upon acceptance into the program (by August) and on class meeting days in October, December, February, and April. [Second year’s tuition schedule will be the same, except, since you are already in the program, the first payment of $390 is due in June 2008.]

Participants are asked to pay for and attend all sessions. Payments by MasterCard & Visa are welcome.

If withdrawing your application from the program, the Application fee less $50 is refundable if withdrawing prior to September 1, 2008.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Some scholarship help is available. Scholarship is granted based upon scholarship receipts and requests. Contact us after seeking assistance from other local sources of funding (like your church or denomination).

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