Welcome
'To receive spiritual direction is to recognize that God does not solve our problems or answer all our questions, but leads us closer to the mystery of our existence where all questions cease'.
Henri Nouwen
Spiritual Direction
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is an opportunity for you to talk in confidence about how you are with God. It doesn’t matter whether you find prayer easy or whether you feel lost and don’t know where to begin.
Together we will reflect on what you say, I may give helpful hints, and suggest exercises. However, it is not my place to tell you what to do or to be ‘directive’. My intention is to help open the pathways for you to hear and sense God in your life, and not to tell you what God is saying. That is for you to discern.
Spiritual Direction has a long Christian tradition that dates back to the early centuries after Jesus’ earthly life. It is sometimes known by other names such as Spiritual Accompaniment, or Soul Friend.
How Does it Work?
We meet together for up to an hour each time. The frequency is set by your needs at the time. Commonly, we would meet at intervals of 6-8 weeks, but this may be varied.
Meeting may be in person at my house near Bedford. Alternatively, we may meet in a park local to Bedford and walk together. If distance and timing are a problem ‘meeting’ can take place on Zoom.
Confidentiality
All that is said remains confidential. You are free to be as honest as you feel comfortable; whether you hate God, don’t believe in God, have lost your faith, or have had a wonderful experience. Wherever you find yourself is the starting point for the journey.
The exceptions to confidentiality are for anything that is disclosed that relates to a Safeguarding issue or criminality. With both of these the current working practices of the Church of England apply.
Is There a Cost?
There is no fee for our Spiritual Direction meetings. This is a ministry given in service. However, a donation would be welcomed as far as you feel able to contribute towards the costs of administration, supervision, and on-going development. A donation of around £20 - £30 per meeting is suggested but this must never be an obstacle to receiving direction.
Prayer - Starting and Re-starting
Guilty Secret
Many of us carry a guilty secret: that we don't pray enough, or that we don't really know how to pray. You are not alone. Even the most experienced and devout people find themselves led into times of dryness in their relationship with God.
This is not a time to give up, or to despair of ourselves; but a time to recognise the call to something deeper.
The Castle Turret
Our relationship with God can be like climbing a castle turret. As we move up the spiral staircase we glimpse outside through a small window and see the world below. We move on and explore halls and chambers before coming full circle to the next window that looks over the same view - but this time we see with an altered perspective. Round we go further, and again we glimpse out and see the same - but different.
However far we think we progress towards a knowledge of God and the divine, we will always be brought back to the most fundamental questions. As we do so, we see them with new perspective and experience. Prayer is just like this. However familiar and comfortable we become with prayer there will be a time when we will be lead to look again at the familiar view, but this time with new perspective.
How to Pray - A Practical Handbook
Wherever you might be - expert or beginner - I commend this easy to read, helpful, and accessible book. John Pritchard's starting point is a recognition that our inner disquiet is God's calling to enter a journey into a deeper relationship. From there he leads through honest, practical, and profound steps into prayer.
The book can be read individually, or used as the basis for
Spiritual Direction meetings.
We can journey together reading a section at a time between meetings and discussing the insights and issues that arise.
Sections in the book cover such subjects as:
How to make the first moves
How to start the day with God
Good practice: praying with the Bible, the gospels, our emotions, and with everyday life
Soaking in silence. Entering the mystery. Using music and the arts
How to pray in bad times and through the wilderness times
How to stay fresh.
How to make all of life a prayer
How to Pray: A Practical Handbook
Rt Rev John Pritchard
SPCK. ISBN 978-0-281-06430-4
Clergy Care
Clergy, those in Ministry, and their Families
Changing times, expectations of ministry, and the Covid crisis have brought greater pressures and stresses on those in ministry. Questions can arise relating to God, faith, and the future, which can be difficult to share with honesty with colleagues or those perceived to be in authority. The effect of the stresses may also extend to family members who can feel overlooked and isolated.
The Spiritual Direction I offer can be tailored to suit your particular situation and need. A single meeting or short series of meetings may be all that is necessary to regain direction. Alternatively, it may lead to a long term working together.
Referrals may be received from diocesan authorities for people in particular need as a means of providing support. In all cases, the level of confidentiality remains the same as other Spiritual Direction. There will be no ‘reporting back’ with the exception to confirm whether or not we are still working together so that alternative support may be found if contact is not continuing.
See the section Spiritual Direction for more details.
Retreats and Quiet Days
Reteats and Quiet Days can be formed and adapted to suit your particular needs. Please make contact in order to discuss possibilities
About Me
Revd Richard Grenham-Thompson
Born in 1960 I grew up in a clergy family in rural Suffolk. My first inclination was not to join the church but to work in heavy engineering. However, interest in spiritual matters overtook that of designing cranes. I trained at Cuddesdon theological college and was ordained in 1989. After a curacy in Southend-On-Sea I became a vicar in Ipswich. A 'chance' clergy training event looking at Prison Chaplaincy led to a ministry that lasted almost 20 years and included working with all types of prisoner. This was a greatly rewarding and ultimately exhausting time.
I now work as a Marine Surveyor inspecting boats. Alongside this I have PtO in the Oxford Diocese as well as working as a volunteer Waterways Chaplain. I trained as a Spiritual Director through the SPIDR Network and am also a professed Third Order Franciscan.
I am father of two, stepfather of four, and grandfather of four. My wife is a vicar in full time ministry.
My loves and hates are that I love sailing, walking, and marmite. I hate peanut butter. Spiritually I am drawn to the contemplative and welcome all open approaches to God.
