The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma’s Iona School is pleased to announce the formation of its newest offering - the School of Spiritual Direction under the leadership of Canon Susan Joplin of St. Paul's Cathedral in Downtown Oklahoma City.
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma’s Iona School is pleased to announce the formation of its newest offering - the School of Spiritual Direction under the leadership of Canon Susan Joplin of St. Paul's Cathedral in Downtown Oklahoma City.
Canon Joplin is a Spiritual Director having completed a 5-year course and trained in Ignatian discipline by the nuns of the Red Plains Monastery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma. Her mentor was the renowned Sr. Benedicta. She is a facilitator of Parker Palmer's work in Hidden Wholeness guided by mentor Elaine Sullivan. She also leads and develops programs in Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer and other contemplative practice in the Diocese.
The School of Spiritual Direction is a 2 year, 5-term curriculum. Students meet one Saturday a month during each term to meet with their cohort and instructors. After finishing the program, students will earn a proof of completion from the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma.
The Mission and Purpose of the Iona School of Spiritual Direction is to enlarge the Love of Christ through training Spiritual Directors to help souls in their unfolding spiritual journeys; to bring forth the spiritual gifts of each student to more fully live into their unique and individual callings; and to promote wellness & wholeness for clergy and lay leaders partly through development of a collegiality based on common purpose; and to broaden the pastoral ministry of the Diocese of Oklahoma by providing tools for deep listening and offering healthy spiritual companionship to the world.
Bishop Poulson comments, "Imagine if every congregation in our diocese, of any size, had a trained spiritual director to nurture the spiritual growth of individuals and groups; someone to coach others in prayer practices, to lead retreats, teach classes and help their congregation listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in discernment about future ministries."
Requirements to be considered for the program include meeting regularly with a Spiritual Director, joining an 8-month Ignatian Exercises group, and experience with Daily Lectio/Centering prayer disciplines based on Sacred Space or the Book of Common Prayer.
The 2021-22 Spiritual Direction Cohort is full. Applications for the 2023 Cohort are due May 31, 2022. There will not be a 2022 Cohort. For more information visit www.epiok.org/spiritual-direction.
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