Listening Groups

As we grow and change on our spiritual journey, we often long for like-minded companions to join us as we process the reality of God always at work in our lives. Discerning this movement of the Spirit within our ordinary days is a practice of deep listening to the Spirit of God in our longings, in the challenges we face, and in the questions that stay with us.

Over the next nine months, we're excited to offer five bi-monthly opportunities to participate in a Listening Group starting in September, followed by groups in November, January, March, and May. Listening Groups are comprised of 4-6 individuals committed to a short-term supportive community in four weekly sessions where we explore specific topics that help us show up to the soul-work of listening and responding to these Divine invitations. The five sessions will focus on the following topics: 

topics, SCHEDULES & REGISTRATION LINKS

The Questions Life Asks (Resourced from Henri Nouwen’s book Spiritual Direction)
September 8, 15, 22, 29 (Mondays) 10am – 12pm

September 9, 16, 23, 30 (Tuesdays) 1pm – 3pm

Week 1: What questions persistently stay with me? Invitations and responses

Week 2: Who do I know myself to be? Looking beyond roles and responsibilities

Week 3: Where do I belong? Issues of loneliness, purpose, and community

Week 4: Who is God for me? The evolving images of God

Landscapes of the Soul (Resourced from Margaret Silf’s book Landscapes of Prayer)

November 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025 (Mondays) 10am – 12pm

November 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025 (Tuesdays) 1pm – 3pm

Week 1: Gardens: Planting & pruning, waiting & harvesting

Week 2: Seashore: Ebb & flow, anchors & sails

Week 3: Forest: Rooted & nourished, shadow & light

Week 4: Desert: Hunger & thirst, mirage & oasis

Deep Calls to Deep (Resourced from Mark Buchanan’s book The Rest of God)

January 5, 12, 19, 26 2026 (Mondays) 10am - 12pm

January 6, 13, 20, 27 2026 (Tuesdays) 1pm – 3pm

Week 1: From restless to resting

Week 2: From contending to contentment

Week 3: From absence to attentiveness

Week 4: From scattered to gathered 

The Creative Initiative (Resourced from Don Postema’s book Space for God)

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026 (Mondays) 10am – 12pm

March 3, 10, 17, 24 2026 (Tuesdays) 1pm – 3pm

Week 1: Transformations of the heart (The potter and clay as prayer)

Week 2: The intersection of faith and creativity {Praying the ordinary)

Week 3: What is alive or in process in the studio of the soul (Praying the unfinished work)

Week 4: Metaphors and imaginings in the spiritual life (Prayers of imagination)

Life as Prayer (Resourced from Joseph F. Schmidt’s book Praying our Experiences)

May 4, 11, 18, 25, 2026 (Mondays) 10am – 12pm

May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026 (Tuesdays) 1pm – 3pm

Week 1: Experiencing God in presence and absence

Week 2: Experiencing Faith in truth and grace

Week 3: Experiencing Forgiveness in acknowledging our pain

Week 4: Experiencing Love of God, self, and others

FAQ:

Q: Can I sign up for just one four-week group, or do I need to sign up for all five? A: You can sign up for one or more.

Q: Do I attend on Monday AND Tuesday? A: No. You register for Monday OR Tuesday.

Q: How much does it cost? A: $100 for each four-week group (scholarships are available).

Q: What if more than 6 people sign up for the group I register for? A: The first six people to register are in the group, the others will be put on a wait list. You pay your program fee only after you’ve been notified via email, that you are in the group. At that time, you’ll be asked to pay a $50 non-refundable deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due two weeks before the group starts.

Q: Do I need to buy and read the book before the group starts? A: Participants are not required to read the books. A general focus topic email will be sent to attendees each week with questions to ponder, quotes to meditate on and use for journaling their journey.

Q: Who is facilitating the groups? A: Marsha Crockett

Q: What if I still have questions?

A: Email CFDMnorthwest@gmail.com with your questions.