OCSG and spiritual direction

Following the death of Georgie Simpson, a highly experienced spiritual guide, companion, director and accompanier, we are currently unable to offer immediate appointments at the Tower Room of St Michael in the North Gate, although that could be the venue for such meetings as can be arranged.  

Georgie was someone who treated these privileged encounters with utter confidentiality, and kept no records of them, except in her mind and heart.

While we are happy to point you, or anyone interested in Spiritual Direction to The Oxford Diocesan Spiritual Direction Network’s website ( SpiDir ) where you will be able to request a list of approved spiritual directors, and there are other wider resources available, you may find the long lists provided somewhat bewhildering, if not off-putting. 

If that should be the case contact us so that we can put you in touch with someone of appropriate gender or other situation, who will be able to advise you in a more sensitive way than ‘sticking a pin into a list’.  But, if you are new to Spiritual Direction, or nervous about your own approaches to it, please read on:

Spiritual direction is the ancient and well-tested practice of being alongside another person in their deepening relationship with God. God seeks each of us where we are and spiritual direction is an invitation to develop this relationship whether we attend a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or none of these. Crucially, it is about deepening the spiritual aspect of being human and is neither counselling nor psychotherapy. The ministry can be given by an ordained or lay person, male or female, and by people from a wide range of traditions.

Spiritual direction is sometimes called prayer accompaniment or guidance. The Celts used the name anam cara or soul friend. ‘Direction’ takes place in the context of a confidential, one-to-one session, usually every four to six weeks.  The real spiritual director is God and the role of the human ‘director’ is not to tell others how to pray or what to do, but to listen attentively and encourage others to draw closer to God. The ministry of walking with another in their spiritual journey and their life of prayer is both a privilege and a responsibility and is given after extensive training and with on-going supervision.

Spiritual direction presumes that God is encountered in daily life. What the ‘directee’ brings to each session is entirely their choice and can be anything that affects their relationship with God. By reflecting deeply on our everyday experiences and sharing with God our joys and our sorrows, our hopes and our fears, we learn to recognise God’s gracious presence with us in our lives. This increasing awareness and discernment of God being with us at all times and in all places leads to spiritual growth.