Listening Together: with Challenging Conversations

Program Details

What happens to listening when conversations become challenging?
How do we maintain a listening posture when what we hear threatens to shut us down or to drive us running in the opposite direction?
What do we need to remain present and connected as spiritual directors/deep listeners, especially when the conversations feel challenging?

These are the questions framing our next Continuing Education event called “Listening Together...with challenging conversations.” “Listening Together” happens twice a year (spring and fall) for budding and seasoned Spiritual Directors/Deep Listeners to experience a supportive community, engage in pertinent conversations, and gain practical insights that deepen our purpose and practice as spiritual directors/deep listeners.

“Living into our vocations as spiritual directors/deep listeners, especially in these days, it is imperative to pause on a regular basis, connect with other listening companions, rehearse essentials and find enrichment to sustain the journey.” (John Kiemele, Spiritual Director & Director of The Listening Collective)

About the Leaders

Gayle Kerr

Gayle Kerr has been involved in Spiritual Direction and Retreat Ministry since 1990. She is a graduate of Trenton (NJ) State College and Chestnut Hill College (PA) and holds degrees in education and Holistic Spirituality and Certificates in Spiritual Direction and the Supervision of Spiritual Directors. She has worked as a teacher, a Director of Christian Education and as a Spiritual Director at the Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, PA. From 2000-2007 she worked at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ with a team of Spiritual Directors who were invited to help create a program for Spiritual Formation at the Seminary. Gayle and her husband moved to Cape Cod, MA in 2007 where she continues to provide individual and group Spiritual Direction as well as Retreat Leadership from her home on the Cape. She also serves as a small group supervisor in the Gateways to God Program for training Spiritual Directors at Rolling Ridge.

John Kiemele

John Kiemele, PhD, is a wellbeing educator and spiritual director who companions individuals, teaches seminars and classes on spirituality, lifestyle change and deep listening/spiritual direction, leads contemplative retreats, and serves as director of The Listening Collective at Rolling Ridge. John walks alongside individuals and groups assisting them with life-giving connections, wellbeing practices, and contemplative soul care. He is Director Emeritus of a dispersed community of contemplative companions in the greater Seattle area called Selah Center, former Executive Director of SoulStream Initiatives in western Canada, and is an ordained clergy having served congregations across the US and Canada. John received his PhD in education/spirituality with post-doctoral emphases in Spiritual Direction, Mindful Self-Compassion, the Enneagram Spectrum, and Wellness Coaching.