Spiritual Directions Community Service in Calgary,


Community Outreach and Justice Initiatives
Spiritual Directions continues to explore ways that we can live our faith in the community.
Alberta Government Community Spirit Grant
Spiritual Directions is very grateful for the $25,000 we received from the Alberta government in 2010 which enabled us to expand our work and reach out into the community to help more people be in touch with the Spirit in their lives. These are some of the projects we were able to fund with this money.
Restorative Justice We have provided funding for Margot Van Sluytman to expand her work with Restorative Justice. She speaks at conferences nationally and internationally about her own experience of reconciliation with the man who murdered her father and how together they are helping inmates and victims of violence tell their stories to obtain healing. Margot also facilitates writing and storytelling workshops that lead to self-understanding and acceptance. The Art of Hosting We provided funding for a leadership training program called The Art of Hosting which teaches leadership skills to bring the community together to address problems and create a more sustainable community. Leading the Way: Building a Sustainable Future Conference Some funds were allocated to hosting this important leadership conference with Peter Senge and Margaret Wheatley. It was a great success with about 470 people from all sectors of society in attendance Subsidized Services We have been able to provide some funds to low income people to subsidize individual counselling sessions and participation in spiritual and personal growth programs. Elementary School Services We have been able to fund school programs that use the services of The Strawberry Art Studio, Straja Linder King and her working dog, Tumbra, to help elementary school children increase self-confidence, an understanding of safe touch, and enhance relationships with self, others and community. Part Time Staff We were able to hire a person to administer our programming.
Calgary Foundation Grant
*The Art of Hosting: Leading Change Through Dialogue, Learning and Action* Spiritual Directions was one of the sponsors of a 3 day leadership training program held in Calgary, January 11 to 14. This training, developed at The Berkana Institute, is designed to inspire, support and train leaders in sustainable leadership practices. This leadership model is collaborative and seeks innovative and creative solutions to community and institutional challenges. The name, The Art of Hosting, indicates the purpose: hosting a conversation on things that matter with a view to initiating action that will lead to transformative results. THE CALGARY FOUNDATION provided The Art of Hosting organizing committee with a grant from their Small Grants Program to help participants from charitable agencies attend this important work. With the help of The Calgary Foundation we had a full registration and formed an effective learning community for these few days. Since then we have established an Art of Hosting web presence to continue to share ideas and support each other.
Clergy Support
We periodically offer programs for Christian Clergy. Grounding is a regularly offered 8 week exploration into one's call to ministry. John Griffith is now co-teaching a 2 year course called Training for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction. We also offer a Small Group Ministry leadership program which provides training for people interested in learning to lead small groups.
Regularly Offered Supportive Programming
Spiritual Mentoring Spiritual Mentoring/Spiritual Direction is offered by John Griffith and Norline Johnson. It provides an opportunity to consult with a mentor on an occasional or regular basis in order to assess, learn, practice and grow in personal awareness and communication and intimacy with the Holy. See Mentoring page for more information about mentoring. Counselling and Energy Therapy We have several practitioners offering various types of therapies. Please see the Individual Sessions page for more information or phone 403-210-2802 for an appointment. Strawberry Tree Art Studio The studio provides counselling for the disabled. Straja has also provided resource leadership for Hospice Calgary, Inn From the Cold and various women's groups. Healing Touch and Energy Medicine We support Healing Touch and Energy Medicine by providing space for workshops and encouraging people to find out more about training to be practitioners. Healing Touch and Energy Medicine sessions are available by appointment at Spiritual Directions. Phone 210-2802 to book an appointment.
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Spiritual Directions Centre Calgary is a registered not-for-profit society
February 14, 2011 1:01:39 PM