Program Information
Listening for Light features six on-site weekend retreats woven together by virtual weekly class sessions. You’ll build lasting relationships with a cohort of learners, moving together through the curriculum, working with the material individually and collectively. You’ll practice the skills of spiritual direction with one another for several months before beginning to offer direction under supervision to practice clients. Throughout the program, you will be guided by experienced directors who are also skilled instructors and supervisors.
Retreats
We will gather in-person for six retreats over fifteen months at the Welcoming Place in Akron, PA, beginning on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. ET and concluding after lunch on Sundays, on the dates below.
Retreat Information
September 5 - 7, 2025: Intro to Spiritual Direction
We'll get to know one another and begin to explore the practice of spiritual direction.
November 21 - 23, 2025:
Preparing to Begin
We'll prepare you to meet with your first practice clients--openings, session basics, and closings.
January 9 - 11, 2026:
Learning to Follow
We'll begin supervision, and learn more about the ways we attend to God's movement in our directees and ourselves.
May 15 - 17, 2026:
Issues, Perspectives, Light on the Path
We'll devote this weekend to engaging with issues we encounter, and various lenses with which we view them, in the practice of direction.
September 18 - 20, 2026:
Darkness and Light
Everyone goes through times of difficulty and times of abundance. We'll learn more about working with each.
November 20 - 22, 2026:
The End of the Beginning
We'll celebrate what God has done in our time together, and prepare for whatever comes next!
Weekly Class Information
Between retreats, we will gather online weekly for about two hours, at a time (to be determined) that suits everyone in the cohort. For instance, we could meet on a weekday afternoon, or a weekend evening. We'll make every effort to create a rhythm that works for all of us. Whatever day or time we choose, we'll meet virtually on the Zoom platform during these periods:
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We meet from the week of September 8 through our November retreat. Then we'll take a break for the holidays, though you will be meeting for the first time with your practice clients during that break.
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After our January retreat, we will meet weekly from the week of January 12 through the week of March 23. Then we'll take a break for the Easter holidays.
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After that break, we resume meeting from the week of April 13 through the week of our May retreat.
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Over the summer, we will meet virtually once a month to touch base with one another (June, July, and August).
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Finally, after our second September retreat, we’ll meet from the week of September 21 through our closing retreat in November.
This schedule allows us to engage with all the information and experience of a two-year formation and training program in just fifteen months!​
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LFL Application Process
Listening for Light 2025 – 2026 is now receiving applications, and we welcome your interest! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews offered to qualified applicants by the end of July 2025.
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The application form asks you for general information, for two references (one from your spiritual director, and one from a pastor, mentor, or friend), and for a personal essay that tells us more about you. More specific information is on the application form, linked below.
Tuition Information
Tuition & Fees
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$50 application fee (due with online application)
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$250 deposit, due upon acceptance (non-refundable)
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$3,745 tuition* (covers all program costs, residency retreat room & board, all formation/training and supervision; does not cover travel, your own spiritual direction, or books)
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*Tuition amount does not include deposit.
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Tuition Payment Options
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Pay $3,745 tuition in full by September 5, 2025
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Optional Payment Plan: $3745 tuition may be paid in 15 monthly installments of $255 or 5 installments of $755 each, automatically charged to a major credit card
All payment dates will be confirmed upon acceptance to the program. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements, spiritual direction fees, and book purchases.
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