What is the typical class day like?

Classes currently meet at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Bryan,Texas. A class day begins at 9:30 a.m. with coffee. A prayer service conducted by students opens the day of classes at 10 a.m. The day concludes by 4:30 p.m. The June retreat for all students - and commissioning service for those completing the third year - is held at Camp Allen Episcopal Conference Center near Navasota, Texas.

What is the course content?

FIND focuses on five areas:

 Spiritual Formation

Psychology of Spirituality

History of Christian Spirituality

Prayer

Practicum

Additionally, all students are required to meet regularly with a spiritual director while in the program. The first two years emphasize academic material, spiritual formation, and practical exercises in personal spiritual development and the art of spiritual direction.

The third year emphasizes practical experience in spiritual formation. Therefore, at the end of the second year, each student selects whether to continue the third year on the spiritual director track or on the spiritual formation tract.

Those on the spiritual director path are required to have a spiritual directee in the third year, with faculty supervision. Those on the spiritual formation path will be required to plan and execute a full quiet day for a church group, with faculty supervision.

Who teaches the courses?

Our outstanding faculty are trained and experienced in the art of spiritual direction and also in their particular teaching areas.

This sounds great. How do I apply?

It's a great program, yes. But there are some factors to consider before applying:

Faith: Membership in the Episcopal Church is not required, but being active in a Christian faith community is.

Discernment: This is a four-part process of mutual discernment between the student, the faculty and the FIND Executive Committee. Potential students first submit an application. Letters from the person's clergy and a member of the faith community must be supplied. The individual then has a series of two or more meetings with faculty or FIND Executive Committee members. And finally, the applicant must attend a discernment retreat to complete the process. At that time, both the potential student and the FIND instructors determine whether to begin the course. This year's discernment retreat is July 27-28, 2012 at Camp Allen Episcopal Conference Center. The cost to apply to FIND is $50. Applicants also pay $100 for the discernment retreat (price includes overnight stay at Camp Allen and three meals).

Attendance: Participation in all events is a must. In order to be granted a certificate of completion, a student must not miss any more than 2 classes each year or a total of 5 over the three-year period. Students also must attend a two-day retreat at the end of each academic year, be under regular spiritual direction, lead a spiritual formation exercise in the third year under faculty supervision, and pay tuition in full (either individually, with sponsorship or with scholarships).

Tuition: The annual tuition is $950, which includes course materials and at least partial cost of retreats. A payment schedule can be worked out with each student. Additionally, a list of required books is provided each year and students may purchase these at the outlet of their choice.

Students who need it are urged to seek financial assistance from their home parishes. Some scholarships are available from the FIND Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Still sound great? Applications are accepted each year from April 1-June 30. Here is a pdf file to print, fill out and send by postal mail. Here is an .rtf file you can download to your computer to complete and return by e-mail, if you prefer.

Who do I contact for more information about applying?