Gran Examine Retreat
reflecting on the past & prayerfully considering the future
look back in order to move forward
The Gran Examine Retreat is an opportunity to make time and space to reflect on your spiritual journey in the past year of 2024, as well as, prayerfully consider what God may be calling you towards in this coming year.
The ancient Ignatian daily Examine is a practice or method of looking back on the past 24 hours for the purpose of seeing how God has been working in and through our lives during the previous 24 hours. The Annual Gran Examine is the same thing, only we look back on the previous year or season in our lives.
Join us on Saturday, February 1st from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Evans Counseling Center in our new Oasis Room! Together we can spend time seeking God’s invitation to become more aware of His presence and purpose in our lives. Bring your daily agenda/calendar from 2024 as well as your journal.
There will be brief introduction and message, plenty of alone time to reflect and journal about this past year. A few questions or prompts will be given. Then we will have small group sharing (or listening) time. A light snack and refreshments will be served and then an additional brief message with more time to reflect on the upcoming year.
Through guided journal prompts and creating intentional time to sit, pray and listen, the Gran Examine Retreat will provide an opportunity for you to reflectively examine the challenges and highlights of 2024, while providing space to hope, dream and consider how God might be leading you in 2025.
When:
Saturday, Feb. 1
9am-1pm
Cost: $50 (includes a light snack)
JoAnne Geiger
JoAnne brings a wealth of experience from her diverse background in teaching, church ministry, and youth ministry. With a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Kairos University, Joanne is embarking on a new season of ministry dedicated to Spiritual Direction. JoAnne is passionate about discovering God in ways that are both ‘outside of the box’ and rooted in ancient traditions, as well as in the simple moments of everyday life. She delights in listening to people’s stories, sharing in their questions, and exploring the mysteries of God and life together. She is eager to help clients deepen their spiritual life, growing in discernment during their current season of life.
Spiritual Direction is for someone who is:
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is a contemplative practice where a Spiritual Director supports an individual in their spiritual journey. It is a sacred space where individuals can explore their relationship with God, seek spiritual clarity, and discern how God is at work in their lives. Unlike counseling or therapy, which often focus on emotional and psychological well-being, Spiritual Direction centers on the client’s spiritual growth and relationship with God.
During a session, the director acts as a companion, offering deep listening, guidance, and sometimes gentle questioning to help the client notice and respond to God’s presence. This process is not about giving advice or solving problems but about creating a space for the client to encounter God more intimately and to explore the movements of the Spirit in their life.
Spiritual Direction can be beneficial for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual life, navigate a period of discernment, or find meaning in life’s challenges. It is especially helpful during times of transition, doubt, or spiritual dryness, offering a supportive environment to wrestle with questions, reflect on experiences, and discover a greater sense of purpose and connection with the divine.
At Evans Counseling Services, we are excited to offer Spiritual Direction as a way to support your holistic well-being, recognizing that spiritual health is an essential component of overall wellness.