Liz Ellmann, executive director of Spiritual Directors International, reports an inspiring start to the United Kingdom Catholic Network for Retreats and Spirituality conference in Swanwick, England, titled, “Dancing on the Edges: Rediscovering our Spiritual Roots."

Keynoter and Spiritual Directors International member, Valerie Lesniak, PhD, (shown at far left with Tess Rynn, SND) introduced the theme of spiritual director as “dancing, rooted and living on the edge.”

Hosts, Tom, Magdelene, Paddy Lane, and Margaret (right) are facilitating the annual general meeting, which included a Celtic prayer about winter: 

We gather our hearts at the hearth fire of Winter.

Warmth of welcome on our lips,

Warmth of rest upon our hands,

Warmth of nurture upon our spirits,

May all be wrapped in the warmth of

Peace, this winter’s day, till Winter’s night.