About Us

Souljourners is an in-person, three-year spiritual formation program for the training of spiritual directors, at Sophia Spirituality Center in Atchison, Kansas. We do not currently offer a Zoom/remote program option.

If you are experiencing a call to spiritual renewal and at the same time want to learn the skills of discernment and deep listening to God, yourself, and others, consider attending one of our Zoom or in-person Souljourners Inquiry Sessions. Beginning in January each year, one session is offered each month through May. Our 2024 schedule is as follows: 

Saturday, January 13, 2024 (Zoom) 10:00-11:00 am

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 (onsite) 1:00-3:00 pm      

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 (Zoom) 11:00 am-noon 

Saturday, April 13, 2024 (onsite) 10:00-12:00 am

Thursday, May 16, 2024 (Zoom) 3:00-4:00 pm

These sessions provide:

  • An introduction to the Souljourners program
  • An explanation of a spiritual direction session
  • Time for questions and concerns
  • Time for prayer and reflection on your call
  • A tour of Sophia Center, where we host Souljourners weekend classes (on-site sessions only).

While these sessions are free, we ask that you register at least one week prior to the inquiry session you plan to attend. Persons attending via Zoom will receive an email message with a meeting link the day before the session.

The application deadline to begin the 2024 summer residency program which begins the new class of Souljourners, is May 31, 2024. For any questions, please reach out directly to S. Marcia Ziska at 913.370.3733.

For more information, contact
S. Marcia Ziska of the Souljourners Leadership Team
Sophia Center
751 South 8th Street
Atchison, Kansas 66002

mziska@mountosb.org

913-370-3733

Student Requirements

One year of course work in the “Knowledge of God and the Christian Spiritual Tradition”.

One year of course work in the “Knowledge of Self and Graced Human Development”. 

One year of practicum. 

All Souljourners participate in a week-long residency in June during their first year in the program, and again during the second year of the program. Residency weeks take place at Sophia Center and provide an important opportunity for interaction with Souljourner faculty and fellow students.

The small group process is an important aspect of Souljourners weekend gatherings. It is through small groups, that students are given the opportunity to develop the necessary skills such as reflective listening, asking good questions, and being attentive. Through the small group experience, students establish a level of trust in which good learning can take place. They will receive suggestions and adaptations in their directing and have the opportunity to watch and learn from one another. Students are assigned to a small group and each group will have two Faculty Advisors. The small group will meet twice each Souljourner weekend and Group membership will remain the same for that year of the program.

On-Going Spiritual Direction

All students will participate in ongoing Spiritual Direction while participating in this program. To meet this program requirement, the student will meet every 4-6 weeks with a Spiritual Director outside of Souljourners.

Year 1 & 2 Requirements

For each of the two years of study, Souljourner students are expected to:

  • Participate in a week-long residency in June
  • Participate in 7 weekend sessions starting on Friday mid-afternoon and ending at 4:30 pm on Saturday. Students unable to attend one weekend session for pastoral or family emergencies will be expected to make up the weekend either by attending that session when it is next available or, in consultation with their advisor, determine an appropriate make-up assignment. With the emphasis placed on small group processes and the communal bonds of prayer, only one weekend absence per year is allowed.
  • Completion of reading assignments
  • Completion of seven Reflection Papers assigned in conjunction with the weekend/residency sessions. All papers are due one month after the session.
  • Completion of five book reflections.
  • Complete all of Year 1 and 2 assignments, participation in a discernment retreat, and payment of all Year 1 and 2 fees. 

Supervised Spiritual Direction

In September of their second year, students will begin a supervisory experience. In preparation for this, they are to meet with one directee for monthly sessions and bring a verbatim of one of those sessions to the Souljourners weekend. This will then be used in a Supervisory Session, conducted by a Souljourners staff member. The purpose of these sessions is to provide feedback and guidance to foster further improvement of skills as a Spiritual Director.

Practicum

For the Practicum Year, Souljourner students are expected to:

  • Complete all Year 2 assignments and pay all Year 2 fees.
  • Participate in a three-day silent retreat and a one-day orientation at the beginning of Practicum year.
  • Contract to meet monthly as a Spiritual Director with two directees for a 9 month period.
  • Write verbatims from the exchanges with their directees. From these experiences, the Practicum student will note their own emotional reaction and how that impacts their own journey of conversion. This information will be shared with a professional supervisor.
  • Work with a trained, approved supervisor to obtain professional supervision of their work with directees. This professional supervision will consist of 9 monthly meetings with that supervisor. The focus of supervision is always primarily the inner spiritual/emotional experience of the director.
  • Meet with other practicum students at Sophia Center for input and practice in the fall and spring of the Practicum Year.
  • Partake in on-going support during the Practicum – Former faculty advisors are available for assistance during the practicum year. If a student has difficulty completing the required number of supervision sessions within the Practicum Year, and upon recommendation of the faculty, the student may be granted a one-time extension for a total period of 24 months, to complete the Practicum.

Meet the Staff

Want to Help Sponsor a Souljourner?

We welcome and are grateful for your contribution to the Souljourners’ scholarship fund! Your support helps cover some of the costs of the program tuition. If you would like to contribute to the support of a specific person in the Souljourners Program, please make sure to include their name in the appropriate field when you donate.