Staff member, Catherine Maine
Where can you find a program that challenges you to grow in prayer and faith in a rapidly changing world? How can you enrich your spirituality in transformative ways? Consider the Jubilee Program which invites participants to engage their bodies, minds and spirits as they reflect on their relationships and commitments to spiritual renewal at the local, national and global levels.
In a world where people hunger for purpose, it is essential that all of us seek spiritual formation. By this we mean the many ways in which we are nourished to walk the way of the Spirit and commit ourselves to the necessity of spiritual practice. It means being open to who we were created to be.
In the Jubilee Program, we search the wisdom of the Christian tradition for insight. The ancient ministry of spiritual direction, companioning, or soulfriending is being recovered in personal and communal ways. It provides a way, on the journey of faith, to meet with a spiritual companion in order to discern God's presence and call.
Potential students of the Jubilee Program can explore their call to this listening ministry by choosing to complete Year I (sharing sacred stories and learning the art of contemplative listening) and then deciding whether to continue with Year II (an experiential program specifically for those interested in offering spiritual direction/guidance.)
Since 1990, The Ontario Jubilee Program has offered an opportunity for participants, both lay and ordained, to deepen their own spiritual formation and their capacity for this ministry. Hundreds of participants from many Christian denominations and other faith traditions have taken this program.
Originally the Ontario Jubilee Program was offered through Toronto School of Theology. Since 2003, it has been part of the Continuing Education program of the Faculty of Theology at Huron University College, which is part of University of Western Ontario in London. The annual residencies are held at Huron University College.
Learning and Discerning, the first year of the program, is devoted to spiritual formation and spiritual practice. Within community, students listen for and respond to the invitation to "do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with their God." (Micah 6:8)
This program is for lay and ordained persons who wish to deepen their spiritual journey. Between 12 and 20 applicants will be admitted to Year I. The application form describes the process of application and admission.
1. Two (2) week-long residencies:
2. At-home program completed between the two residencies:
3. Following the Second Residency:
A certificate of completion will be awarded by Jubilee Associates to all who complete the requirements outlined at the first residency of Year I.
Application deadline for Year I is March 15, 2010; you will receive a response to your application before April 30, 2010. 2010 Year 1 application is here.
Beginning summer 2011
This program is designed for persons who have completed Year I of the Ontario Jubilee Program and who wish to deepen their understanding and practice of spiritual direction/guidance. Between 12 and 20 applicants will be admitted to Year II. The application form, available during Year I, describes the process of application and admission.
We build on the themes of Year I, and add three more:
1. Two residencies:
2. At home program completed between the residencies:
3. Following the Second Residency:
A certificate of completion will be awarded by Jubilee Associates to all who complete the requirements outlined during the residency that begins Year II.
Application deadline for Year II is April 15, 2011. The application includes a discernment process by staff and the applicant as to whether the applicant is ready and prepared to enter Year II. The 2011 Year II application is here.
The staff persons for this program are drawn from people working in the area of spiritual direction and represent a mix of religious traditions. At each residency, staff are hired to provide expertise in particular areas.
Core staff persons maintain contact with students, prepare and facilitate each residency and provide program administration. Currently the core staff includes:
Miriam Frey, CoordinatorMiriam is interested in helping individuals grow in their understanding of and relationship to God. She has experience in administration as well as in facilitating workshops, leading retreats and teaching spirituality courses at the university level. She is a lay spiritual director in the Mennonite church and has completed her D.Min. degree in spiritual direction at Regis College, Toronto School of Theology and University of Toronto. A graduate of the Ontario Jubilee Program, Miriam is involved in the leadership of Spiritual Directors of Ontario and Spiritual Directors International.
Catherine MaineCatherine desires to foster embodiment of the Spirit within each of us and in community. She uses spiritual tools such as Sacred Circle Dancing, movement, and labyrinth work for awakening and discovery. A graduate of the Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction, she has facilitated workshops on spirituality and personal growth. Catherine has experience in health care and administration. She is a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Kitchener) and of Spiritual Directors International.
Paul AdamsPaul serves as a pastor and seeks to offer spiritual direction to fellow pilgrims. Currently serving at Tavistock Mennonite Church, he balances disciplines that exercise body and soul. A holy curiosity allows him to balance and ponder present realities with an eye on future horizons with others. He has received formal training in the spiritual disciplines and spiritual direction from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries.
(Income tax receipts are issued to all participants equivalent to the tuition portion of the fees.)
| January 15 | Year I - Second Instalment of fees due |
| February | Year I - Mid-year Evaluation |
| April 15 | Year II - Application Deadline |
| June 7 - 14 | Year I - Second Residency combined with Year II - First Residency |
| June 12 | Year II - First instalment of fees due |
| October 15 | Year I - Integrative paper/project due |
| December 10 | Year I - Certificates awarded |
| January 15 | Year II - Second Instalment of Fees due |
| February | Year II - Mid-year evaluation |
| March 15 | Year I - Application Deadline |
| May 6 | Year I - First instalment of fees due |
| June 6-11 | Year II - Second Residency |
| June 13-18 | Year I - First Residency |
| October 15 | Year II - Position paper/project due |
| December 10 | Year II - Certificates awarded |
| January 15 | Year I - Second Instalment of Fees due |
| February | Year I - Mid-year evaluation |
| April 15 | Year II - Application Deadline |
| June | Year I - Second Residency combined with Year II - First Residency |
| last day of residency | Year II - First instalment of fees due |
| October 15 | Year I - Integrative paper/project due |
| December 10 | Year I - Certificate awarded |
In Year I and Year II of the Jubilee program, participants, as adult learners, are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, each in her or his unique way and each in his or her communal context. We ask all participants to be clear with themselves and the staff about their motivations for applying; to welcome the possibility of new attitudes, concepts and behaviours; and to view the substantial work of the program as self-chosen, rather than imposed B even self-imposed.
Many participants continue to work during this program, but it is important that you plan to give time to this program so that you can receive maximum benefit from it.
Evaluation is based on the learner's own objectives and desired outcomes within the communal framework of the program. Self-evaluation is part of the program, as is feedback from the staff, peers and supervisors.
Some participants may wish to explore the possibility of receiving credit towards a degree program at an academic institution. Please contact the Registar or Degree Programs office of your respective university.
The Certificates awarded are not, we emphasize, certificates either of personal commitment to the spiritual journey or of competence as a spiritual director, but are simply recognitions of satisfactory completion of the stated requirements of the program.
A Year I certificate will be awarded by Jubilee Associates, sponsored by Huron University College, to all who complete the requirements outlined in the Jubilee program.
In relation to the Year II certificate, we affirm that the ministry of spiritual direction/companioning is constituted by a call from God, and is authenticated by its fruits, not by formal certification. A Year II certificate will be awarded by Jubilee Associates, sponsored by Huron University College, to all who complete the requirements outlined in the Jubilee program.
If you have questions about the program or its content, contact:
Miriam Frey, Coordinator of the Ontario Jubilee Program:
Phone: 519-880-9684 or email: ontjubilee@gmail.com
For application forms (Year I, Year II), administrative issues, or information about other programs, contact:
Sandra Rice, Faculty of Theology, Huron University College,
University of Western Ontario, 1349 Western Rd., London, ON N6G 1H3
Phone: 519-438-7224 ext. 289 or email: srice@uwo.ca
