Events and Studies

A Day with MLK

Embark on a Sacred Journey: Reflect, Connect, and Transform 

You are invited to join Bryana Clover on a transformative experience designed to deepen your connection to justice, healing, and embodied wisdom. This offering combines a powerful workshop with two essential tools: a guided journal and a meditation practice. In our Euro-centric culture, we often reduce the profound impact of historical leaders like MLK Jr. to mere soundbites, losing sight of their true essence and struggles. Through this offering, you will be encouraged to move beyond superficial engagement and delve into the embodied wisdom of these transformative figures.
This journey includes:
Sacred Journal: Thoughtfully crafted prompts to guide your reflection and deepen your understanding of justice and healing.
Guided Meditation: Two meditations to help you open your heart before diving into the workshop, and subsequent journaling prompts. Allow this practice to be a nourishing experience as you connect more deeply with your body, your spirit, and your intentions for justice and healing.
Group Zoom with Bryana to discuss and deepen learning (date coming soon)

Bryana Clover is a member of NCISDF’s Spiritual Formation Leadership Team and is the founder of Clover Joy Collective, a haven where spirituality meets wellness in Lansing, Michigan. Equipped with a Master’s Certificate in Anti-racism in Urban Education from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Bryana transitioned from a corporate career to an entrepreneurial path dedicated to dismantling oppressive systems. Her advocacy involves creating brave spaces for organizations and individuals to have tough conversations about race and inclusivity without causing harm or overwhelm. Bryana believe in the power of integration. Her approach isn’t just about workshops or strategies; it’s about liberatory embodiment and healing-centered coaching. She’s learned firsthand that lasting change starts from within.

For the months of January and February, Bryana is generously offering this study to NCISDF participants and half of the proceeds will help fund future programs at NCISDF. Register here: https://www.bryanaclover.com/offers/qC8obkbf

Taste and See (What is Spiritual Direction?)

Are you curious about Spiritual Direction? Wonder what the buzz is about? Not sure if Spiritual Direction is right for you or how it might enhance your spiritual life? Join us for Taste and See. This one-time session will teach you about Spiritual Direction and help you see how it might be a valuable tool in your daily life.
For Clergy Only: February 2nd, 6:30pm – 7:30pm via zoom
For anyone: February 4th, 7:00 – 8:00pm via zoom
Cost: Free
REGISTER HERE (click the drop down menu at the top of the registration page and look for Taste and See.)

Spiritual Director Gathering

Welcoming Neurodiversity in the Spiritual Direction Relationship
Each of us comes into this world uniquely created—our body, heart, mind, and personality type ready to be shaped by our experiences. We all have a distinct neurotype as well: a singular way of learning, communicating, and developing based on how our brain works. This creates the beautiful tapestry we call neurodiversity. 

As spiritual directors, we welcome all parts of a person. We can extend a deeper level of hospitality by allowing an individual’s sensory sensitivities, processing pace, abstract thinking skills, executive functioning, and language and communication styles to inform our companioning. This opens distinctive doorways into their unique experience of the Sacred. 

In this session, we discover common characteristics of brain-based differences, utilizing the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach. This opens up creative options to incorporate awareness of neurodiversity into the spiritual direction relationship.

Lynn Alsup (she, her) is an author, social worker, and spiritual director. Her three extraordinary, neurodivergent daughters led her to FASCETS Center for Neurodiversity, where she now trains parents and professionals in the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach―a paradigm that fosters the celebration and accommodation of neurodiversity.

Monday, February 17th, 2025, 7pm-8pm (zoom).
$25/person. Free for those in our Spiritual Director’s Network. (Want to join? Email director@ncspiritualdirection.org)

REGISTER HERE (click the drop down menu at the top of the registration page and look for Spiritual Director’s Gathering (Feb 2025))

In order to provide continuing education and support for those who serve in the ministry of spiritual direction in Eastern NC, NCISDF sponsors quarterly gatherings. Every other gathering is virtual, in order to be accessible to those a distance from Raleigh/Durham. All Spiritual Directors and Spiritual Directors in training are welcome. Future gatherings: Monday, February 17th, 2025, 7pm-8pm (zoom), Saturday, May 10th, 2025, 10am-12pm, Monday, August 25th, 7pm-8pm (zoom).

Rooted With: A Contemplative Path Through Lent

Are you feeling like you would like this Lenten season to be different?  Is the way of Jesus who modeled silence, detachment, and stepping away calling to you this year?  Would it be helpful to learn some new prayer practices for yourself and your directees?  

This spring, join us for a six week exploration of Contemplative Prayer Practices where we will have the opportunity to breathe and rest in God.  Each practice will invite us to walk in the path of Jesus and follow his wisdom for quieting our minds and spirits and opening our hearts to the mystery of God’s presence.  There will be opportunities for practicing, sharing, reflecting, and journaling. 
Week One:  Introduction &  Breath Prayer
Week Two:  Lectio Divina
Week Three:  Centering Prayer & Welcoming Prayer 
Week Four:  Guided Visualization with Scripture 
Week Five:   Art and Images
Week Six:  The Examen and Prayer Collage 

Location: Joslin Gardens 2431 W. Lake Drive in Raleigh 
Dates:  Tuesday March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15
Time:  11-12:30p.m.  
Cost: $120 (Includes supplies and materials)

Guided by:  Laura Kirby is a spiritual companion and contemplative leader who has trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation as well as the Haden Institute.  Laura spent her “first half of life” as a psychologist with children and families.  

REGISTER HERE (click the drop down menu at the top of the registration page and look for Rooted With)

Lectionary Musings

“Lectionary Musings” is a weekly online offering for clergy and laity to discuss the week’s Lectionary Readings. Whether you regularly preach from the Revised Common Lectionary or would welcome joining together with others to reflect upon these sacred texts, It is our hope that you will find this time together both spiritually formative and intellectually informative, leaving you feeling encouraged and equipped for ministry in the days that follow.
Mondays at 9:00 am EST
Questions? Contact: Ivy Parker | ivygparker@gmail.com | 919-280-2083 | REGISTER HERE