Companions in Ignatian Discernment
Companions in Ignatian Discernment
6-week online course
Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET
Online Synchronous
Designed and led by Pneuma Institute
Are you called to the ministry of spiritual leadership or spiritual direction?
Join a small community of lay or ordained persons sensing a call to the ministry of spiritual leadership, companionship, and/or direction for a journey of experiential learning and prayerful individual discernment. During this journey, you will engage in the following learning and formation practices:
- A guided Ignatian discernment process with the companionship and support of other participants and program leader to nurture the dispositions of openness, generosity, courage, and interior freedom for decision-making;
- Large and small group discussion, prayer, and group spiritual direction;
- Spiritual disciplines including daily 30-minute individual prayer and 10-15 minute prayer review time;
- Daily Examen of Consciousness;
- Monthly individual spiritual direction; and
- Two individual appointments with the program facilitators to share prayer and discernment experiences.
Individuals interested in this class should be participants in a Christian faith community and have experienced a silent, directed retreat or the full Spiritual Exercises in any format. It is also desirable that the participant have six months or more of individual spiritual direction or willingness to begin regular spiritual direction. To explore your readiness for this class, please contact one of the course leaders: Dr. Carolyn Nickerson or the Rev. Joseph Hedden (contact info below).
There are 15 seats available, first come, first served.
Presenters
Dr. Carolyn (Carrie) Nickerson
Dr. Carolyn J. Nickerson is a spiritual director and Ignatian retreat guide with advanced qualifications in spirituality and supervision from The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality. She serves as a member of the Leadership Team for the Pneuma Spiritual Direction & Leadership Training Program of Pneuma Institute and lead faculty in the SEEL Program (Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life).
The Rev. Joseph W. Hedden Jr.
The Rev. Joseph W. Hedden Jr. has devoted his career to pastoral ministry, theological education, and spiritual formation. A 1997 graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he has served as pastor of Emmanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Export, Pa., since 2010, providing leadership in preaching, pastoral care, and communal discernment. Previously, he served at Tabor UCC in Lebanon, Pa., and as an exchange pastor in Germany. In addition to parish ministry, Joseph is dean and instructor in theology at Penn West Academy for Ministry, where he mentors and trains lay ministers. He is also on the faculty of the Pneuma Institute. An active church leader and author, he is dedicated to nurturing faith communities and guiding future ministers.
Schedule
Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, and Feb. 7, 14, 2026
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET
Registration
Questions
For questions about the course, please contact:
Dr. Carolyn Nickerson,
The Rev. Joseph Hedden,
For technical assitance, please contact or call 412-924-1345