Welcome to the inauguration of the Rueben Job Institute for Spiritual Formation. We are beginning with small steps and will provide opportunities for development for some years to come.

We thank our partners, Hearts on Fire: Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders, A Covenant Community of Spiritual Directors, and Nouwen Legacy for their collaboration as we begin this work together.

Reverend Dr. Brenda Buckwell, the Director of Learning and Formation for Hearts on Fire, has completed the course on “The Art of Mediation." She offers an Advent Retreat, beginning December 1.

Reverend Dwight Judy will offer the course, A Quiet Pentecost: Imagining and Enhancing your Spiritual Direction/Formation Ministry, June 3 - July 12. Based on his new book, A Quiet Pentecost: Inviting the Spirit into Congregational Life, participants will be guided through review of present and future ministry opportunities, as well as think on developing their own resource team. The course is applicable whether working primarily in a congregational setting or developing an independent spiritual direction/formation and retreat ministry. When you click on the announcement on the home page, you’ll be taken to the website of the Covenant Community of Spiritual Directors. We are very pleased to be joining with an existing national network for spiritual directors. If you are a spiritual director, you may join this group, either through regional networks or through a national network hosted by Jane Watts, the Guardian of the Covenant Community. In order to participate in the course by Dwight Judy, you should be able to affirm the Covenant for spiritual directors displayed on the home page. For this reason, registration goes through the Covenant Community web page.

We welcome two new faculty members to the Institute.

Wil Hernandez, Ph.D., will offer the course Henri Nouwen: Journey to Perfection through Imperfection. Dr. Hernandez directs the Nouwen Legacy and has written and taught the works of Henri Nouwen extensively. Click on the course tab on the home page for more information.

Reverend Jane Vennard will offer the course, Spiritual Practices to Nourish Your Soul: An Experiential Course for Spiritual Directors, September 23 - November 4. See this announcement in the Covenant Community of Spiritual Directors.