PATHWAYS TO PRESENCE

A six-week contemplative journey grounded in the landscapes and voices of Aotearoa.

June 3rd - July 8th 2026

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PATHWAYS TO PRESENCE | June 3 - July 8, 2026

A six-week contemplative journey grounded in the voices and landscapes of Aotearoa.

There comes a point in the spiritual life when we find ourselves moving beyond the beginnings —when deeper longings and questions arise.

You may have been part of church life for some time.
You may practise prayer in familiar ways.

But something is shifting.

You may find yourself:

  • hungry, weary or restless

  • burned out on religion

  • longing for the ‘unforced rhythms of grace’ promised by Jesus

  • curious about contemplative practices

Pathways to Presence is for that place.

Drawing on the Christian contemplative tradition,
and shaped by the voices and experience of this land,
it offers a slower way, a deeper way.

Not the way in — but the way on.

It is about making space —
for deeper questions,
for quieter listening,
for a more restful way of being with God.

If this resonates, you are warmly invited to join us.

Fran Francis (SGM)
Pathways to Presence Creator & Facilitator

David Crawley (SGM)
Pathways to Presence Facilitator

What makes Pathways to Presence distinctive?

Rooted in contemplative Christian spirituality

At its heart, this is a way of learning to notice.

To notice the holy in the ordinary,
and to grow in awareness of the presence of the Spirit of God within us, and in all of creation.

The practices we draw on come from a living lineage of contemplative faith.

Shaped over centuries —
from the Desert Mothers and Fathers
through monastic communities
and the Celtic tradition.

We will learn from those who have gone before, in the company of fellow seekers and pilgrims.

This is not about arriving at answers.

Only an invitation to deeper listening — and to noticing God’s personal invitations to us.

The timeless contemplative stream finds expression here, in the uniqueness of this people and this whenua.

Pathways to Presence is shaped within Aotearoa New Zealand
— drawing on the voices, stories, and landscape of this land.

Over these six weeks, we will pay attention to the natural world
to bush, coastline, river, seeds, and sky — as places where God may be encountered.

We trust that God is present and at work in all cultures,
and that spiritual formation is enriched — not diminished - when it is grounded in the land we call home.

Nau mai, haere mai.

Grounded in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Less doing
More being.

There are plenty of good courses that tell us how to be better disciples of Jesus. This is not that.

Instead, this is a space for Christian spiritual formation —
shaped by simplicity, attentiveness, and love.

Each week offers a pathway into a deeper awareness of God’s presence, drawing on:

  • scripture

  • silence and prayer

  • music, art, and making

  • the natural world

There are no assignments.
There is nothing to achieve.

As Richard Foster writes:
“Formation is a practice; transformation is a grace.”

What you can expect

Each week includes:

  • a guided contemplative practice

  • teaching input

  • small group reflection (with a focus on listening, not fixing)

Between sessions, you’ll be invited into:

  • simple daily practices

  • journalling or creative reflection

  • noticing your own experience of God in daily life

Some practices may feel familiar.
Others may not.

All are offered as invitations.

Meet your facilitators

Fran Francis 

Pathways to Presence Creator & Facilitator

Fran Francis is the National Co-ordinator (Kaiwhakahaere) of the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme with Spiritual Growth Ministries.

She has many years’ experience in spiritual direction, retreats, and pastoral ministry, and has been deeply involved in forming others in the practice of spiritual direction since 2016.

Fran brings a depth of contemplative experience, with a particular gift for helping people notice and respond to the presence of God in everyday life.

Dr. David Crawley is Assistant Co-ordinator of the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme, a role he has held since 2018..

He brings many years of experience in spiritual direction, supervision, and theological education, and serves in ordained ministry at Titirangi Anglican Church alongside his wife Sarah.

David is committed to accompanying others as they grow in attentiveness to God and in the practice of the contemplative life.

Pathways to Presence Facilitator

Dr. David Crawley

Practical Details

What: Pathways to Presence - A six-week contemplative journey grounded in Aotearoa
When: June 3 - July 8, 2026, Six, weekly two-hour gatherings on a Wednesday evening.
Where: Online via Zoom.
Facilitators: David Crawley and Fran Francis of Spiritual Growth Ministries
Cost: $180

How to Register

  1. Please email the SGM administrator, Jenna Edgar (admin@sgm.org.nz) to register. Please provide your postal address for receipting purposes.

  2. Pay the $180 course fee via online banking on the same day.
    Spiritual Growth Ministries Trust: 03-0166-0198782-00.
    Add your name in reference line, and PTP in particulars.

    Payment can be made in two parts if desired. $90 at registration and $90 half way through the six weeks.

If you have any questions please contact Fran Francis (fran.francis@sgm.org.nz) or our SGM administrator, Jenna Edgar (admin@sgm.org.nz)