The Healing Place. Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation.
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Spiritual Direction

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is the practice of accompanying and assisting people to deepen their relationship with God as they learn and grow in their spirituality. Spiritual direction encourages you to explore your relationship with God.  The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters in life, with God or their experience of spiritual issues. The director listens and asks questions to assist the directee in his or her process of reflection and spiritual growth. Spiritual direction develops a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. It is not psychotherapy, counseling, or financial planning. The Goal of Spiritual Direction  is to discern God's Presence in the sacrament of the present moment. By reflecting deeply on the experiences, you will learn to recognize God's presence and grace in your daily life.

Why we encourage Spiritual Disciplines?

Spiritual disciplines help to keep our relationship with God in good working order, and even help develop intimacy. Spiritual disciplines are not the essence of your relationship with God, Christ did that already.  Spiritual disciplines are not a means to greater grace or favor, rather, they are exercises, tools, and devotional aids that help us cooperate with the Holy Spirit in conforming to the image of Christ - becoming more and more of what God wants us to be.  Some helpful disciplines that may be explored:

  • Prayer practices
  • Meditation
  • Exploring spiritual experiences
  • Lectio-Divina (Sacred Readings)
  • Journaling
  • Fasting

How is a Spiritual Direction session structured?

Each session usually lasts 60 minutes or less with time to center yourself in the presence of the Holy Spirit - the true director. During this time, you will:

  • Identify and trust your own experiences of God
  • Integrate spirituality into your daily life
  • Discern and make difficult choices
  • Share your hopes, struggles and losses
  • Develop a sensitivity for justice and compassion
  • Live the essence of your relationship to God with integrity

What about confidentiality?

The privilege and responsibility of a spiritual director is to journey with an individual in a one-on-one relationship.  Spiritual direction can also occur in an on-going group setting or in an intensive retreat.  What is shared between an individual and a spiritual director is held in strict confidence.  There is no time limit to how long an individual may engage a spiritual director.

How do I recieve Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is available on an individual basis and in a group format onsite and virtually.

You are invited to contact one of our Spiritual Directors for your complimentary session.

Spiritual Directors

Rev. Sharon Jones Arrington

 

Rev. Sharon Jones Arrington holds an undergraduate degree in Leisure Studies from the University of NC  in Chapel Hill and a Masters of Divinity with the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. She has an Advanced Certification in Spiritual Direction from  Healing Care Ministries Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction program in Ashland, Ohio.   Sharon is a  member of ESDA (Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association).  

Areas of focus:  Women in Transition,  Pastors' wives,  Financial services employees, Social entrepreneurs and Support for mothers of gay children.

Location: Mechanicsville, VA
Languages: English
Affiliation: Christian - Baptist
Email: sharon.arrington1@gmail.com          Phone:  704.458.6497

 

 

Rev. Dr. Proctor Beard  holds a Doctorate of Ministry from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He serves as the Executive Pastor of First Shiloh Baptist Church, Mechanicsville VA, and is chairman of the Board of New Life Ministries of VA.  

Areas of Focus:  Men, men's issues, pastors, ministry leaders.

Location: Chesterfield, VA
Languages: English
Affiliation: Christian - Baptist
Email: Proctorbeard@firstshiloh.org          Phone:  804.730.1348

 

 

Rev. Felecia Jones

 

Rev. Felecia Jones is a Master's level Clinical Psychologist who is also a Master of Divinity graduate of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.  She is endorsed by Healing Care Ministries International with certification in Spiritual Direction, and is trained in Formational Prayer and Pastoral Care.  

Areas of focus:  Youth, Young Adults, Core Longings and Relationship Formation, Retreats   

City: Richmond, VA
Languages: English
Affiliation: Christian - Baptist
Email: fmetajones@gmail.com          Phone: 804.337.2803

 

Rev. Rosallene Johnson Massey

 

Rev. Rosallene Johnson Massey holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of NC in Chapel Hill and a candidate for graduation from Healing Care Ministries Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction program in Ashland, Ohio. She is an ordained Minister with Restoration International Ministry and is a Certified Trainer and Spiritual Director.  

Areas of Focus:  Women in Ministry and Women in Transition.

Location: Raleigh, NC
Languages: English
Affiliation: Christian - Baptist
Email: rjmconsultants@bellsouth.net
Phone: 919.672.3091

 

Rev. Larry Sarratt

 

Rev. Larry Sarratt is a Baptist minister and coordinator of the men's ministry in his  church, where he also serves with the healing prayer ministry team of The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation. He holds a BS from Limestone College in  S.C. and  is a graduate of the Healing Care Ministries Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction program in Ashland, Ohio.

Areas of focus: Individual and men's group spiritual direction, and a weekly spiritual reflection moment via Facebook live. He has a passion to see people experience their fullest life and to know the fullness of God's love for them. 

Location: Ashland, VA
Languages: English
Affiliation: Christian - Baptist
Email: sarratt1961@yahoo.com          Phone:  804.617.6234

 

 

Rev. Sharon Siler

 

Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Siler holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Virginia Commonwealth University and the College of William and Mary. She is currently pursuing a MS degree in Thanatology (Study of Death and Dying, Grief and Bereavement from Marion University in Fond du Lac Wisconsin. Dr. Siler has completed training programs in Spiritual Direction (Healing Care Ministries) and Formational Prayer (The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation)and she is a  member of ESDA (Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association). 

Areas of Focus:  Bereavement from death and non-death losses, Support for end-of-life journey.

Location: Mechanicsville, VA
Languages: English
Affiliation: Christian - Baptist
Email: sesiler@aol.com          Phone:  804.277.3831