Continuing Education
Healing the Narrative
We are excited to be offering a new curriculum for spiritual directors, pastors, and chaplains who want to deepen their skills and understanding as they walk with people toward wholeness. We know that everyone’s story has areas of brokenness that long for healing and wholeness. Healing the Narrative is an opportunity to explore new skills for walking alongside people in our care, or deepen our understanding and experience with tools we use in our ministry.
Ministers, Chaplains, and Spiritual Directors can register for individual sessions. Spiritual Directors can also register to be part of a cohort. Didactic sessions are in the morning for all.
Individual Sessions for Continuing Education
Individual program is currently on hold.
Ministers, Chaplains, and Spiritual Directors can register for Individual Sessions. All Sessions are on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 12pm on the dates listed below.
Costs: $60 per session or $55 per session for all 9 if paid up front ($495)
Cancellation Policy for Individual Workshops
Up to 2 weeks before session starts: 50% refund.
Less than 2 weeks before: no refund, but 50% off another workshop.
Cohort Model for Spiritual Directors
Spiritual Directors have the option to register for a 9 month cohort. All Sessions are on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 12:00pm on the dates listed below. Practicum sessions for cohort participants are in the afternoon from 1-3pm to deepen understanding and use of each of these tools. Cohort participants attending all sessions and completing the practicum with supervision endorsement will receive a certificate.
Cohort Participants: $1250 for Cohort, with split payments available
Course Schedule
| Session | Topic | Instructor | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Enneagram: A Tool for Spiritual Formation | Mel Ryley | 9/28/2019 |
| Session 2 - Cancelled | Introduction to Focusing | Ida Regina Oliver | 10/12/19 |
| Session 3 | Exploring Grief and Loss | Ida Regina Oliver | 11/16/19 |
| Session 4 | The Transformative Power of Dreams, Introductory Workshop | Mel Ryley | 12/7/19 |
| Session 5 | Walking with Those Who have Suffered Trauma | Mary Putera | 4/4/20 |
| Session 6 | Community Healing: A Work of Resilience in Troubled Times | Mary Putera | 5/2/20 |
Course Descriptions
Enneagram: A Tool for Spiritual Formation
Date: 9/28/2019
Instructor: Sister Mary Ellen Ryley
“For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.” ~Thomas Merton
The Enneagram is a system of thought that combines psychology and spirituality for the purpose of self-understanding and self-acceptance. The Enneagram can serve as powerful tool for the spiritual/life journey home to ourselves; others; all creation; and God.
In this workshop, you will be presented with the nine personality types—nine predominant ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving— that help us better understand and accept who we are and how we survive in the world. In addition to offering you greater insight into your own motivations and behavior, it can be a valuable resource in coming to understand the behavior of others with whom you share life.
Instructor: Mel Ryley
Mary Ellen Ryley, SCMM (Sister of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy) received her training in Spirituality and Dreams from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. She has been involved in the training of Spiritual Directors for more than 25 years as staff member of the Institute for Spiritual Leadership; the Institute of Spiritual Companionship and the Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Seminary. She continues to be involved as a Spiritual Director, supervisor, retreat and workshop facilitator in the Chicago area. Mary Ellen (Mel) holds a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Detroit and a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago
Introduction to Focusing
Date: 10/12/19 – CANCELLED
Instructor: Rev. Ida Regina Oliver
Focusing is a process that facilitates exploring one’s experiences. This interactive workshop will introduce the Focusing process which is a way to listen to the wisdom of one’s body toward greater self-understanding. We will learn the Focusing process steps. Also, we will practice using Focusing to get in touch with our own experience. Then, we will learn how to guide others as they use the Focusing process.
Instructor: Rev. Ida Regina Oliver, BCC, LCPC
Ida Regina Lucas Oliver is an Ordained Minister in The Evangelical Covenant Church. She serves as an Association of Professional Chaplains Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) and as an Association for Clinical Pastoral Education ACPE Certified Educator. Ida earned Bachelor’s Degrees in The Teaching of Sociology and in Psychology; Master’s Degrees in Counseling and in Communication; and a Master’s of Divinity Degree. Ida also earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Certified Focusing Trainer. Ida is married to her husband, Ken. They share dedication to loving God and serving God’s people.
Exploring Grief and Loss
Date: 11/16/19
Instructor: Rev. Ida Regina Oliver, BCC, LCPC
Throughout the lifespan humans experience losses and they grieve. This interactive workshop will explore:
- Types of loss and grief
- Effects of loss and grief
- Models for coping with loss and grief
- Ways to companion and care for others on their journey through loss and grief
Instructor: Rev. Ida Regina Oliver, BCC, LCPC
Ida Regina Lucas Oliver is an Ordained Minister in The Evangelical Covenant Church. She serves as an Association of Professional Chaplains Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) and as an Association for Clinical Pastoral Education ACPE Certified Educator. Ida earned Bachelor’s Degrees in The Teaching of Sociology and in Psychology; Master’s Degrees in Counseling and in Communication; and a Master’s of Divinity Degree. Ida also earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Certified Focusing Trainer. Ida is married to her husband, Ken. They share dedication to loving God and serving God’s people.
The Transformative Power of Dreams, Introductory Workshop
Date: 12/7/19
Instructor: Sister Mary Ellen Ryley
“When we keep track of our dreams we receive spiritual direction for life. We access our own inner wisdom and our personal point of contact with God.” – Jeremy Taylor
Dreams are a unique and powerful resource for the spiritual/life journey. They can provide us with insight as we seek to understand ourselves and others. Dreams offer us guidance as we deal with everyday struggles and decisions. Even dreams which seem confusing or frightening often contain within them a message which invites us to wholeness and healing. During this workshop we will experience some practical ways of working with our dreams in order to discover the messages contained within our dream symbols.
Instructor: Mel Ryley
Mary Ellen Ryley, SCMM (Sister of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy) received her training in Spirituality and Dreams from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. She has been involved in the training of Spiritual Directors for more than 25 years as staff member of the Institute for Spiritual Leadership; the Institute of Spiritual Companionship and the Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Seminary. She continues to be involved as a Spiritual Director, supervisor, retreat and workshop facilitator in the Chicago area. Mary Ellen (Mel) holds a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Detroit and a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago
Date: 4/4/20
Instructor: Rev. Mary Putera LMHC, MDiv. CAGS.
This workshop will focus on
- Developing awareness of what trauma is as an embodied experience.
- How traumatic events and traumatic environments impact individuals and their interpersonal relationships
- Growing our resiliency as a trauma informed care provider. This workshop will include both formal discussion and arts-based explorations of this topic.
Community Healing: A Work of Resilience in Troubled Times
Date: 5/2/20
Instructor: Rev. Mary Putera LMHC, MDiv. CAGS
This workshop will engage participants in arts-based practices of caring for organizations and communities suffering traumatic events and stressful seasons.
In this workshop we will
- Discuss the signs of complex organizational and community struggles which undermine relational well-being.
- Engage Community Art practices of play and art making as effective therapeutic interventions
- Practice beginner skills for engaging artful ways of shifting the inter-personal space of teams, groups and small communities.