Deep Listening in the Neighborhood: Across the Great Age Divide

The trend is clear. Younger generations have been leaving organized religion for years. Individual reasons may vary but the general trend leans towards a dissatisfaction and hypocrisy within institutional religion, especially around issues related to sexuality and inclusion. Older progressives may say things are different in their congregation, but younger generations are often not having it. Within the United Methodist church especially, the current rhetoric of disaffiliation and division creates barriers that young people often do not want to deal with. They are done. As congregations deal with fewer and fewer people coming through their doors, even while rainbow flags fly, the "spiritual but not religious" proclivity along with other generational stretches continues impacting our neighborhoods.

How do welisten across the great age divide confronting us today?

We invitespiritual directors, companions, and deep listeners to join us for our first Deep Listening in the Neighborhood cohort training series. This new ADVANCED learning cohort will enrich and expand your vocation as a spiritual companion and deep listener by deepening your skills and widening your perspectives on particular relationships (aka "neighborhoods"). Each year we will invite you to focus on particular relationships in your neighborhood, recognizing that there will be great variety in the spaces within which we live and listen. Our inaugural series (October 2023-May 2024) looks at the "Great Age Divide" within institutional religion around issues related to sex, gender, and issues facing our LGBTQ neighbors.

Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, Deep Listening in the Neighborhood combines narrative-based conversations, stretching spiritual practices, reflective engagement, and focused listening skills in efforts to be God’s loving, listening presence in our neighborhoods.  Five online sessions spread across eight months will focus on a particular relevant theme and build upon foundational principles and experiences of spiritual direction/deep listening. Participants must have prior training and practice of spiritual direction/deep listening.  Sessions meet via Zoom from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (eastern) on selected Tuesdays, with optional cohort small groups meeting between sessions.

2023-24 Cohort Focus: Listening Across the Great Age Divide

• October 24, 2023 = Deep Listening with Neighborhood Focus, Understanding Contexts, Understanding Roles, Discerning a Neighborhood Listening Experience
• December 5, 2023 = Deep Listening with LGBTQ+ Neighbors (guest presenter)
• February 20, 2024 = Deep Listening into Wholeness, Eco-centric Listening, Generational Attachments
• April 9, 2024 = Deep Listening with Millennial Neighbors (guest panel)
• May 14, 2024 = Trauma-informed Listening, Neighboring Next Steps

Costs for the 5 ONLINE sessions with cohort optional gatherings in between: $375
(Listening Collective Member price: $300**)

** To join the Listening Collective and receive support for your vocation of listening, including discounts for this series and other training events, click herefor more information.

In preparation for "Deep Listening in the Neighborhood: Across the Great Age Divide," we encourage you to join us for our one-day "Listening Together," spiritual director enrichment training on Thursday, September 28 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. as we look at "Listening Through the Millennial Divide".Click here to register.

Email us if you have any questions.