Group Spiritual Direction: Deepening Awareness of God

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2026 Spiritual Directors Spring Forum

Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Theme: Facilitating Group Spiritual Direction

In group spiritual direction people gather together on a regular basis to assist one another in an ongoing awareness of God in all of life. As they receive support for their openness and responsiveness to God, in turn they support others in their openness and responsiveness. Everyone in the group is both a spiritual director for and directee of all others in the group.

Intention for the Spring Forum: 

  • To learn the process of group spiritual direction, the role of the facilitator, silence, prayerful listening, differences between individual and group spiritual direction
  • To experience group spiritual direction
  • To reflect upon the teaching & experience 

Deadline to register is Friday, April 10, 2026. Contact Lydia Mercado, Spiritual Direction Coordinator (lmercado@richmondhillva.org) with questions. Click below to register.

Facilitator

Anne Grizzle is an author, spiritual director, family therapist, and chaplain. She regularly hosts spiritual retreats at the Bellfry near Lexington, Virginia, which she envisioned and created as a place of welcome, rest, renewal, and solace. Anne is associate faculty for Shalem Institute for Spirituality, where she offers workshops on group spiritual direction and young adult leadership. Anne received her B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) from Harvard College with a concentration in Psychology and Social Relations, her M.S. from the Columbia University School of Social Work, and her Post Masters Certificate in Advanced Clinical Social Work and Family Therapy from Hunter College of New York. She has written 4 books. Anne and her husband, David, have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren. She enjoys hiking and writing poetry.

Key Times

Friday, April 17, 2026
4:00 pm – Check-in begins for overnight attendees
5:30 pm – Evening prayer
5:45 pm – Dinner

Saturday, April 18, 2026
7:00 am – Morning prayer (for overnight participants)
7:30 am – Breakfast (for overnight participants)
8:30 am – Arrival of commuters
9:00 am – Welcome & Introductions
9:15 am – Morning session
12:00 pm – Noon prayer & Lunch
1:15 pm – Afternoon session
4:15 pm – Wrap Up & Closing Prayer
4:30 pm – Departure

Suggested Donations

$55 – Saturday only
$125 – Individual overnight retreat option* (4pm Friday – 4pm Saturday)

* Overnight option available. Must request separately as a personal individual retreat.

Registration

This forum is limited to 16 people. If registration is full, please contact Lydia Mercado to be put on the wait list.