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DISCIPLES SEMINARY FOUNDATION - Supporting the formation of emerging theological leaders
SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
DSF is excited to offer Spiritual Direction sessions to our students in partnership with certified spiritual directors, who are specially trained in accompanying people on their spiritual journeys. Each session is a one-on-one meeting with one of the spiritual directors listed below (other spiritual directors may be added along the way). Each DSF student may meet for spiritual direction once per month; the duration of the meetings depends on the individual spiritual director. The subsidized cost for students is $40 per session.
Rev. Dale Suggs
Dale holds a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the University of San Diego and previously served as a Spiritual Director to DSF students and staff from 2007-2009. He is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), serving 28 years as a pastor and 4 years as a hospice chaplain. Dale is well-known as a student and teacher of compassion.
Currently, Dale is Pastor of BELOVED Way (a new church based in San Diego; https://belovedway.org/) and Director of BELOVED Compassion Network (a nonprofit teaching the “how to” of cultivating compassion and discerning compassionate action; https://belovedcompassionnetwork.org/). With roots in Ignatian spirituality, Spiritual Direction pairs you with a trained and experienced guide to help navigate the invitations and challenges inherent to spiritual life such as –
· Learning to sit in the sweet spot of God’s presence,
· Listening to God’s invitation in scripture, prayer and daily life,
· Discerning direction in seasons of decision making,
· Savoring moments of consolation,
· Weathering moments of desolation such as internal and external conflict, loss of connection with God, questioning one’s faith, and “The Dark Night of the Soul.”
If you are interested in learning more and/or inviting Dale to be your Spiritual Director, contact him at dale@belovedway.org or (858) 692-5418.
Rev. Larry J. Morris III (he/they)
Larry is a spiritual director/companion based in Chicago, IL. He earned his M.Div. and MTS at Claremont School of Theology and Spiritual Direction Certification through the Still Harbor Spiritual Direction Program. Currently, he is a Ph.D. student in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary.
In his role as a spiritual companion, Larry listens and reflects with individuals and groups as they sit with, wrestle with, and dance with the Divine Mystery – however, they name the Divine. Spiritual direction is the process of contemplative listening carried out in the context of a one-to-one trusting and confidential relationship. A trained spiritual director journeys with another person, listening to that person’s life story with attention to the movement of the spirit or sacred, offering supportive responses as appropriate, and encouraging reflection about new paths of growth.
Sessions are typically monthly and last 45-60 mins. You can learn more about Larry’s work at https://larryjmorris3.com/spiritual-director/, or contact them at: larry@larryjmorris3.com.
If you are interested in discerning whether Larry would be a good fit as your Spiritual Director, contact them directly for a 30-minute discernment conversation.
Rev. Dr. Leslie Carole Taylor (she/her/hers)
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The Rev. Dr. Leslie Carole Taylor is the Senior Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Concord, CA. Ordained in 1988, Pastor Leslie has served in many positions in the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), seminaries, and non-profit agencies. In 2023, Leslie graduated with a Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction from the University of Redlands Graduate School of Theology (formerly, San Francisco Theological Seminary). She is a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI), a global community of spiritual companions and spiritual directors, and Spiritual Directors of Color.
So, what will we do together? I will listen to and support your spiritual life. I will listen with my heart, eyes, and ears. I am not a therapist. While I can be a career adviser, workplace coach, or relationship counselor, that is not my role here. The goal is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your spirituality. I will take my lead from you. Do you need someone to…
Help you question their harmful beliefs?
Help you address spiritual wounds?
Help you discover your purpose and passion?
Help you develop or clarify your own spiritual values and ethics?
Help you identify resources within yourself?
Help you explore a deeper relationship with your spiritual being?
If you would like to have one session to see if we are a good match, please call me at 614.214.4283 or email me at RevDrLCT@gmail.com and we can schedule a Zoom call.