Following on from the hugely successful ‘Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit’ sessions last year, the School for Synodality is offering new opportunities this summer to learn how to facilitate synodal processes in various contexts. 
  
These free online workshop series are designed to give participants the resources they need to facilitate ‘Conversations in the Spirit’ in their own communities. 
  
They will introduce the principles of holding prayerful, truthful and safe conversations which value gracious listening and courageous speaking. 
 
Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit Summer Sessions: 
 
Date: Thursday 8, Thursday 15 and Thursday 22 August.
Time: 2pm-4pm.
  
Find out more and register
 
Although initially aimed for Catholics in England and Wales, the School for Synodality has also welcomed online attendees from other countries to the sessions, who are keen to have practical training in applying ‘Conversations in the Spirit’ to their own contexts. 
 
These Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit sessions are suitable for all levels of experience - from lay and priests in in parish councils, to volunteers and staff in organisations – and this includes those who have not been involved in the Catholic Synodal process so far. 
  
The School for Synodality explains further: 
 
"A Conversation in the Spirit is a practical art, an ancient practice of the Church and a key tool of Synodality. A prayerful method, it allows for space for the spirit as well as voices usually not heard and can be used for faith sharing, difficult conversations, or when lots of creativity or ideas are needed.” 
  
A participant from one of the School for Synodality 101 sessions earlier this year shared: 
  
“The small group spiritual conversations were really enriching - both from the perspective of practicing the skills, but also from the experience of having a spiritual conversation with people we wouldn’t otherwise ordinarily connect with.” 
  
The sessions will be run over three weeks, with content as outlined below:  
  
Week 1: 
•                     Explore the values of a synodal church 
•                     Be introduced to the importance of listening in Jesus' ministry 
•                     Reflect on what makes a good conversation 
•                     Work through some values of listening and speaking 
•                     Explore the role of the facilitator 
•                     Look at options for leading prayer at the beginning of a session 
   
Week 2: 
•                     Reflect back on your own trial conversation 
•                     Think about using these materials to train others in your community 
•                     Make plans for how you can use your skills 
•                     Reflect on some tricky situations which might arise 
 
Week 3: 
•                     Reflect back on your own trial conversation
•                     Think about using these materials to train others in your community 
•                     Make plans for how you can use your skills 
•                     Explore more of the School for Synodality resources 
 

The School for Synodality is a project to help support the synodal conversion of the Church in England and Wales in our day to day practice. Through conversations, the development of resources and our programmes, we hope to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit in our Church through listening, sharing and discernment. 

The Synod 2021-2024