Calibrate- Spiritual Formation Intensive

With a posture of curiosity and generosity, this 9-month intensive seeks to help us locate ourselves in our faith given our past experiences and current realities, understand how we got to that place, and notice how we are being invited to participate in the life of Christ from a renewed place. 

Calibrate offers an opportunity for 6-10 people to journey together as they locate themselves in the fundamentally relational spirituality initiated by Jesus over 2000 years ago.  Throughout the rich history of the church, this foundation has been unintentionally (and sadly sometimes intentionally, thwarted).  As we are present to Jesus, our friend, teacher, and Lord, we can together sort through the influences that have shaped our faith, discern places of malformation, and respond to God's loving and gracious invitations to abiding life, together.

Groups are being offered online as well as partially in-person in Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, Colorado Springs and Hong Kong (see dates and times below).

The 9-month cohort will include:

•  Two meetings a month (one or both on zoom depending on location)

• One all day in person retreat in January in one of the cities listed above

• Assigned readings ranging from popular to graduate level

• A monthly personal reflection assignment

• Group spiritual direction

Overview

• This 9-month spiritual formation intensive  can count toward meeting the first year requirement of our two-year spiritual director training program.  The two-year training program results in meeting all requirements for membership into Spiritual Directors International and ESDA (the largest exclusively Christian spiritual direction association).  You can also just participate in the 9-month cohort for your own faith development without any intention of pursuing a certificate of spiritual direction.

• Overview of Intensive

   - Eight monthly 1.5 hour Book Discussion & Instruction meetings. 

   - Eight monthly 1.5 hour online Prayer Project Review Group Spiritual Direction meetings online in select cities (locations, dates and times listed below).

   - Option to sit in and observe supervision of 2nd year directors in training one Saturday a month for 1.5 hours.

   - One day cohort retreat (date and time listed below). Breakfast and lunch provided.  Lodging provided at zero to minimal cost for travelers.  

   - Approximately one book per month of reading due.

   - One reflective Prayer Project 

   - We strongly recommend that you meet regularly with a spiritual director

Meeting Dates for 2025/2026 Cohorts

All cohorts will meet on Zoom for Group Supervision 9:30-11am PT (optional) and Book Discussion & Instruction from 11am-12:30pm PT (mandatory)

Every First Saturday of the month: 

2025: Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6

2026: Feb. 7, Mar. 7, Apr. 11, May 2

Group Spiritual Direction cohort meeting dates and times will vary based on location:

Online Cohort: Fridays from 4-5:30pm PT// 7-8:30pm ET

 2025: Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 19

2026: Feb. 20, March 20, April 17, May 15

In-Person Retreat: Saturday in January (exact date & location TBD)

Seattle, WA Cohort: Thursdays from 7-8:30pm PT

 2025: Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 18,

2026: Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, May 21

In-Person Retreat: Seattle, WA Saturday, January 10 from 9:30am-5:30pm PT

San Francisco, CA Cohort: Mondays from 7:15-8:45pm PT

2025: Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 15

2026: Feb. 16, March 16, April 20, May 11

In-Person Retreat: San Francisco, CA Saturday, January 10 9:30am-5:30pm PT

Southern California Cohort (Orange County or Inland Empire)

 2025: TBD

2026: TBD

In-Person Retreat: Southern California in January (exact date TBD)

Colorado Springs, CO Cohort: Mondays from 6-7:30pm MT

 2025: Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15

2026: Feb. 23, March 23, April 20, May 18

In-Person Retreat: Colorado Springs, CO Saturday, January 17 from 9:30am-5:30pm MT

Hong Kong Cohort: Thursdays from 7:30pm - 9:00pm Hong Kong time

 2025: Sep. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dec. 18

2026: Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, May 14 

In-Person Retreat: Hong Kong Saturday, January 17th from 9:30am-5:30pm HKT

*If you're really interested in participating but none of these times work for you, let us know and if we have enough people for an additional cohort, will consider offering one at a different time.

Application

If you have questions please email jessica@nuosformation.com or if you are ready to apply, send the following application materials by Saturday, June21 to julie@nuosformation.com

From there we will schedule an interview.  

Application Materials

Spiritual Autobiography (no more than 5 pages double spaced)

Answers to the following questions (approximately 100 word answers)

• What makes you interested in Calibrate?

• What is your relationship to Scripture?

• What are some books that have influenced your spiritual growth?

• What have you been saying to God lately?

Cost

EARLY BIRD RATE: $220 a month totaling $1,980. Apply by June 21

Full Price: $245 a month totaling $2,205. Apply by July 19

Payments can be made monthly, in halves or by personal arrangement. 

Additional Costs:

Books: Approximately $200/year

Personal spiritual direction $50-$160/month

About the Program Director

Julie Barrios

Julie Barrios has over 15 years experience as a spiritual director, supervisor and trainer of spiritual directors. She holds an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology and an additional certificate in Ignation Spiritual Formation from Loyola Institute. Julie has found great joy in helping people grow in the craft of spiritual direction. With interests in art, technology, embodied spiritual practice and thoughtful ideas of all kinds, Julie weaves her interests to serve her passion of forming directors for a rapidly changing and dynamic world.