Larks & Spiritual Direction
We have a unique approach to spiritual direction at Grace Year, called Larks.
A Lark is a spiritual companion who meets regularly with a Grace Year Fellow throughout the year to support the ongoing spiritual growth of the Fellow. It is the Lark’s role to listen, acknowledge, and respond with kindness to ideas, stories and thoughts that the Grace Year Fellow would like to share or explore in greater depth with a listening partner. The intention of the Lark-Grace Year Fellow relationship is to provide a platform where the Fellow can freely reflect upon, celebrate and critically inquire into their experiences to inspire personal growth and cultivate their own spirituality in a nonjudgmental environment. With the support of a spiritual mentor—who listens, asks questions and offers guidance when appropriate—the Fellow is given the space and tools to unlock greater wisdom so he or she may more confidently and expertly move through his or her life throughout this year and beyond.
It is both the Lark’s and the Grace Year Fellow’s responsibility to communicate with one another throughout the year about meeting time and location. We encourage that Grace Year Lark meetings occur about once a month for one hour for Fellows and Larks to share, listen, and offer reflection and insights. These meetings may take place in the Lark’s home, at the Grace Church vicarage, at a café or other quiet public space, or outside—a park, a walking trail. We recommend that the meeting place be relatively quiet and devoid from distractions such as large crowds or screens so as to accommodate focused conversation and questioning. Our hope is that the relationship between Grace Year Fellows and their Larks grows into a strong one and one which sets the foundation for Grace Year Fellows to form future spiritual partnerships with mentors and peers as they journey on into their adult lives.
It is both the Lark’s and the Grace Year Fellow’s responsibility to communicate with one another throughout the year about meeting time and location. We encourage that Grace Year Lark meetings occur about once a month for one hour for Fellows and Larks to share, listen, and offer reflection and insights. These meetings may take place in the Lark’s home, at the Grace Church vicarage, at a café or other quiet public space, or outside—a park, a walking trail. We recommend that the meeting place be relatively quiet and devoid from distractions such as large crowds or screens so as to accommodate focused conversation and questioning. Our hope is that the relationship between Grace Year Fellows and their Larks grows into a strong one and one which sets the foundation for Grace Year Fellows to form future spiritual partnerships with mentors and peers as they journey on into their adult lives.
