February 07, 2023
ESDA New Member Reception
This is an event for ESDA’s New Members. We invite you to join our online reception, allowing you to learn more about the association and to meet our team.
Upcoming Events
February 13, 2023
ESDA Community Life Event - February 2023
This Community Life event will focus on small group interaction for spiritual directors with spiritual directors. The conversation will be guided by a reflective prompt–lectio divina, visio divina, a personal reflection, or a relevant topic to our ministries with directees. All spiritual directors are welcome- ESDA members & non-members.
March 04, 2023
A Conversation with Michel Hendricks
Why does spiritual transformation seem fleeting? And why do Christian communities often seem shallow? Michel Hendricks asked was asking these questions when he met neurotheologian, Jim Wilder, and discovered what's been missing from his church community and spiritual life.
Purchase Past Events
January 27, 2023
2023 ESDA Gathering
We're thrilled to announce that registration is now open for our annual ESDA Gathering, January 27th-30th, at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Phoenix, Arizona! The title of our Gathering is Holding the Soul: Exploring God's Design for Transformation. We invite you join us!
November 12, 2022
Deepening Self Awareness - How Our Enneagram Patterns Influence Our Practice
This online Seminar with Marilyn Vancil focused on how we, as Spiritual Directors, can be more fully present to our directees and to God. We explored the Enneagram’s unbounded invitation to draw closer to the center of God’s love while reimagining how we are called to move into our spiritual direction practices with greater freedom and authenticity.
September 17, 2022
Creating a Formational Retreat Experience
Do you have a desire to offer a formative retreat experience? Have you hesitated wondering where to begin? Do you offer retreats and are looking for a fresh perspective? These are some of the questions we explored with Mindy Caligure, co-founder and team leader at Soul Care. We explored together the various ways to create a deep and rich experience for others.
May 14, 2022
A Conversation about Deconstruction
What does it mean to deconstruct one’s faith? Is this a dangerous 21st century trend or is there something valuable about pulling apart one’s belief system? This seminar explored common experiences of deconstruction and how you can be present with directees who may be questioning the foundations of their faith.
April 23, 2022
A Conversation with Sharon Brown: Using Story as a Tool for Discernment
During this virtual event we explored the role of story in discernment with the author of Sensible Shoes and fellow ESDA member, Sharon Garlough Brown.
January 20, 2022
Life in the Body Virtual Event Series : Session 3 - Pictures of Hope in the Church
In this session you will hear from church leaders who are experiencing the movement of the Spirit in their church bodies--in all its glory and messiness. Their stories can cast a vision for what is possible and renew hope as you move into God’s call in your church relationship.
November 11, 2021
Life in the Body Virtual Event Series : Session 2- Honoring Relationships
This session explored how you can be spiritually healthy and loving in your church relationships while responding to God’s call, whether that is to stay, pursue change or leave your current situation.
September 30, 2021
Life in the Body Virtual Event Series : Session 1- An Honest Conversation About Church
In this session we honestly explored what it can feel like to be disconnected or frustrated by church. Acknowledging the truth gives us a place to begin dialoguing with God about what we do from here.
June 26, 2021
ESDA Virtual Event: The Long Range Effects of COVID
Dr. Genalin Niere Metcalf explores the effects of our collective and prolonged societal trauma, complicated by politics, polarization, racial unrest, vaccine controversies, and personal loss.
May 22, 2021
ESDA Virtual Event: Spiritual Direction and Diversity: Tools for Greater Sensitivity
Without awareness, understanding, and training in intercultural encounters we can easily close the doors that we desire to open. ESDA Members Brenda Darby & Ellen Kuo shared tools for greater sensitivity.
April 24, 2021
ESDA Virtual Event: Tools of Discernment
Father Mark Thibodeaux, has written on discernment and Ignatian spirituality, and shares tools that can help us and our directees in the discernment process.