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by Diane Karay Tripp
I have a new
friend named Carole. We live about 40 miles from each other and
attend different churches. She talks with a spiritual director
but wanted less formal conversations about what she calls "soul
matters," so she approached a friend of hers at church and
told him her concern. This person, a mutual acquaintance, listened,
then prayed for guidance---Carole and I met as a result.
Most people don't talk about spirituality, but Carole and I discuss
it as readily as
others do the weather or children. Our friendship is rooted in
God---we are soul friends. "Who else can I talk with about
this stuff?" Carole asked. "Who else would understand?"
I'd never heard of spiritual friendships before I met Carole.
Since our first conversation, I've read spiritual memoirs by
Reformed women from earlier generations. In these intriguing
accounts I met women who were spiritual companions to each other
and some who were spiritual guides ministering in their communities.
Most of the memoirs I've read are by Scottish and English women,
and North Americans shaped by British Reformed piety.
English Puritans prized spiritual friendships. Spiritually mature
women and men commonly counseled others. But spiritual friends
existed among other denominations in England, and English developments
may not explain Scottish ones. Since early Celtic Christians
once lived in Scotland and England, it is possible that the idea
of spiritual friends among Reformed women are rooted in the Celtic
tradition of "soul friends."
--Layne Hawley is an ordained Presbyterian minister and a
mission coworker serving the Interfaith Relations Office and
the Office of the Middle East, both in the Worldwide Ministries
Division, PC(USA).
 Recommended Resources
The Spiritual Formation Leadership Network is designed to
connect Presbyterians who are looking for spiritual formation
ministries with Presbyterians who are able to provide these ministries.
It is a referral system comprised of people who have training,
ability and experience in a variety of spiritual formation ministries.
For more information about this network, contact Cathy Duncan,
888/728-7228, ext. 5306, cduncan@ctr.pcusa.org.
"Companions in Christ" is a transforming small-group
experience in spiritual formation, developed by the United Methodist
Church. To learn more, visit www.upperroom.org and click on "Companions
in Christ" or call 615/340-7200 and request introductory
materials.
The Celtic Soul Friend: A Trusted Guide for Today by Edward
C. Sellner. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria Press, 2002. ISBN 0877939675
The Celtic Soul Friend is lively and informative reading
for anyone interested in the rich tradition of spiritual direction
and companionship, as well as the roots of mentoring and support
groups. Edward Sellner's description of Celtic spirituality offers
a vision of Christianity that cuts across denominational and
ethnic boundaries and speaks to the hearts of contemporary Christians
of all backgrounds.
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