July workshops - Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit
Workshops to train people to facilitate spiritual conversations
A free three-part series held online
Thursdays 8th, 15th & 22nd July 2025
2:00pm - 4:00pm GMT
Register here
How do we listen to each other well? How do we step back from our own agendas to be attentive to where the Spirit is moving? How can we make better decisions about organising ourselves as Christian communities? How do we enrich our parish communal life with enriching conversations?
The Synod process has emphasised the importance of listening and good conversations in our community life. However these are not always so easy in practice! This 101: Conversations in the Spirit workshop series will introduce the principles of holding prayerful, truthful and safe conversations which value gracious listening and courageous speaking. It is suitable for all levels of experience including people who have not been involved in the Synod process so far.
Each week there will be an opportunity to experience a Conversation in the Spirit, helping to deepen our understanding of how this tool can be used to support us in talking and listening more effectively.
After attending these workshops, we hope you will have the resources you need to hold a conversation in the spirit in your community.
(Please note that you only need to sign up once for access to the three sessions. The single Zoom link you will receive will work for the duration of the series)
What to Expect:
Reflect on and experience synodality
Look at the process of Conversation in the Spirit
Draw lessons from Jesus’ ministry on the underpinning attitudes and dispositions needed for enabling Conversations in the Spirit
Consider the role of the facilitator
Give options for what to do if you do not have facilitators
Unpack the experience of the Conversation in the Spirit process
Notice the skills needed to support people in such conversations
Think about how to handle some tricky situations that may arise
Experience prayer that builds on the principles of synodality
Look at ways you might use what you are learning in your parish/group/setting
“The small group spiritual conversations were really enriching - both from the perspective of practicing the skills, but also from the experience of having a spiritual conversation with people we wouldn’t otherwise ordinarily connect with.”