What is Spiritual Direction?
Each person’s life story is holy. Each person’s life is full of God moments—times when we need God; times when God is present to us; and times when we are puzzled by God. A spiritual director is a companion who can help a person see God’s presence in all of life: in questions, crises, careers, relationships, life stages, fears, insecurities, joys and grief. A spiritual director is not a counselor or an advice giver. Rather, she or he is a companion and a listening presence who can help a person notice, discern, and respond to God’s invitation.
 | Christian Spiritual Direction is the help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with God, and to live out the consequences of the relationship. (The Practice of Spiritual Direction – William Connolly) |
Click here to read the Spiritual Direction brochure or right-click to download it.
Is Spiritual Direction for Me?
While anyone can arrange to meet with a spiritual director, the people who often seek this ministry are:
- Those in a decision making process
- Those with questions and concerns about life’s circumstances and relationships
- People interested in exploring their faith, beliefs, prayer practices or church
- People seeking a closer relationship with God
- Those seeking greater spiritual awareness
People of all ages, young adults to elders, seek spiritual direction. Those in helping professions are especially supported by spiritual direction: pastors, paid or volunteer church workers, medical personnel, counselors, educators, life coaches, and care-givers.
Where, when and how much does it cost?
The meeting takes place in the context of a confidential one-one-one session with a director, usually monthly for the duration of one hour. The suggested fee for a one-hour individual session ranges from $50-$80, depending on level of income; however, we will turn no one away for financial reasons. Currently, the location for these sessions is FaithWorks office (775 Cambridge Street).
Who are the Spiritual Directors?
Both Mary and Jan received a certificate of completion for a two-year Spiritual Direction and Personal Formation program called Tending the Holy with Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, an ecumenical Christian ministry founded in 1978. They continue to grow through participation in peer supervision and ongoing education. Both women hold a Master of Arts Degree from ATS accredited seminaries, and both were elementary school teachers earlier in their professional careers. Although Mary and Jan have deep roots in the Mennonite Brethren denomination (Anabaptist), their work draws from contemplative practices from historic Christian traditions.
Mary Reimer
Mary has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba and was a teacher for 20 years. A call to church ministry came in the form of an internship which led to an Associate Pastor position for 6 years. Mary and a colleague founded a church, FaithWorks, in 2002. While pastoring at FaithWorks, she pursued a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University, Michigan and graduated in 2009. Through this experience, Mary was drawn to the practice of Spiritual Direction and has been practicing ever since. Mary has been a director in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and draws on the wisdom of both Ignatian and Benedictine teaching in her practice of direction. Married to Gary, with grown children and two granddaughters, Mary is committed to the importance of having and being a spiritual companion in the journey of life.
Jan Woltmann
Jan received a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Providence Theological Seminary (Otterburne, Manitoba) in 2008, after serving more than a decade on staff at The Meeting Place in downtown Winnipeg. She also has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg. Her interest in spiritual direction began in seminary and intensified in recent years during a prolonged season of suffering. Jan enjoys exploring spiritual themes through writing, and has published articles with Christian periodicals. She served as a communications writer from 2010-2012 with the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (CCMBC). Jan is married to Norm and they have two married daughters, one adult son, and two grandchildren.
Click here to read the Spiritual Direction brochure or right-click to download it.
How do I start?
To apply for spiritual direction simply email us for an application. When you return the application to us, we will arrange for a suitable time. There is no cost for the introductory meeting.
Send email to:
janwoltmann@imagodei-wpg.org
or
maryreimer@imagodei-wpg.org