The Wellington Contemplative Retreats, formerly known as Spiritual Growth Ministries Wellington (SGM Wellington), is a not for profit organization who is committed to organize, grow and promote contemplative practices in the wider Wellington area since 1998, having been seeded as one of a number of local groups from SGM Trust.
The people in the working group are: Jo Anastasiadis (Brooklyn), Fr Neil Vaney (Central) and Alice Wood (Tawa).
We are members of local Christian churches and groups who are drawn together by a contemplative approach to Christian prayer, worship and practice. By inclination we are interdenominational in outlook and foster good relationships with local churches.
Most of us have completed training as spiritual directors through the NZ SGM Spiritual Director Formation Programme. We are members of the Association of Christian Spiritual Directors – ACSD NZ. As spiritual directors we receive spiritual direction and supervision ourselves as we reflect on our ministry practice.
This website and email list is here to connect everyone who would like to go deeper in their contemplative practices. We hope to promote the retreats, events and quiet days of the wider Wellington area so that everyone can benefit from the life giving rhythm of grace that they can offer.
Contact us if you want to know more about spiritual direction, ministry supervision, contemplative spirituality or any of the events we organize and promote.
WCR rely on the generosity of trusts and donors to provide not only information on events, but also retreats that are affordable and accessible to those who needs them the most: carers, pastoral care providers and clergy.
Please advocate in your organization to consider providing retreats to your staff as part of their personal growth and development, as well as consider giving a donation towards WCR, so that more people will be able to benefit from the life-giving practice that is in contemplative retreats.