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Michiana SDN
Fall 2026 Newsletter
Fall 2026 Conference: Using the Enneagram in Spiritual Direction
September 24, 2026
Our Fall 2026 MichianaSDN Conference is scheduled for Thursday, September 24,2026, at the Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center. In this conference, our presenter, Dr. Lori Tate, will discuss the Enneagram and how it can be used in Spiritual Direction practice. (For more info on the Enneagram, see article later in this newsletter.)
We are pleased to have Lori share her expertise with Enneagram. “The Enneagram Spectrum,” taught by Dr. Jerome Wagner, and the “Enneagram Harmony Triad,” taught by Rev. Clare Loughrige, have formed Lori’s Enneagram foundation and are the basis of her certification. This rich Enneagram material has become a tool for spiritual transformation, especially when integrated with spiritual direction. The ancient wisdom of spiritual direction and the Enneagram continue to inform and transform Lori’s understanding of God and her relationship with God, drawing her deeper into faith, hope, and love.
Having comprehensive training in the Enneagram is not required, however, to receive maximum benefit from the conference, some preparation may be helpful (see article later in this newsletter for more information on the Enneagram).
Dr. Lori Tate lives in Jackson, Michigan with her husband and two adult kids. She integrates the Enneagram into her spiritual direction practice, Soul Dig, which extends beyond the United States.
Lori is a founding faculty member and executive collaborator, spiritual director, and teacher at School of Spiritual Direction - Crossroads Soul Resources, the first of its kind, integrating the Enneagram and Spiritual Direction.
As an avid gardener, she transformed her stone labyrinth into a 35 ft plant labyrinth. Playing in the dirt is one of her favorite spiritual practices.
Register for the 2026 MichianaSDN Fall Conference
We look forward to having you join us for Lori Tate’s insightful presentation, "Using the Enneagram in Spiritual Direction"! The conference will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Lindenwood Conference and Retreat Center, 9601 Union Road, Plymouth, IN 46563 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM (eastern time). To register online, click the registration button below. You can also call or text 219-512-5286, email michianasdn@gmail.com or print the form and send it to the address indicated.
The cost to attend is $35 for dues paying MichianaSDN members and $65 for non-dues paying members. We offer a $10 discount for students actively participating in spiritual direction training (see registration form). Additionally, should a “dues paying member” invite a non-MichianaSDN Spiritual Director friend who attends, both the member and the friend will receive a $10 refund on their registration fee when both attend the conference. Simply denote appropriately on the registration form and send your Spiritual Director friend a registration form to submit.
On all registration forms, please indicate if you wish to purchase lunch. New for the Fall 2026 Conference, we have an early registration bonus – register by August 15, 2026 and MichianaSDN will pick up cost of your lunch!
PLEASE SUBMIT ALL REGISTRATION FORMS NO LATER THAN September 12, 2026.
Board Members Needed
MichianaSDN is seeking new board members. We deeply appreciate the past and present council members whose time, skills, and leadership help MichianaSDN thrive. We are always seeking new perspectives and talents to support this work.
One board member will complete their service after the Fall Conference, and another may step away due to other commitments. The future of the network depends on new people stepping up to share in its leadership.
Board members help organize conferences, maintain communication with members, and support the ongoing work of the network. Serving does not require extensive experience—only a willingness to contribute your time, ideas, and gifts.
Please contact Jennie Peyton at michianasdn@gmail.com to learn more.
Website and Facebook Updates
Website: In response to suggestions from members, we continue to expand the MichianaSDN website. Archives of previous newsletters and information about past conference leaders and topics are now available under the About menu. Whether you're looking for a past newsletter or introducing someone new to MichianaSDN, these resources are available anytime. We hope you'll find them useful and share them with others who may be interested in learning more about our network. See them yourself at Conference archive and Newsletter archive.
Facebook: Did you know MichianaSDN now has a Facebook page? We will use it to share conference announcements, network news, and other updates related to spiritual direction in our region. It's also one more way people interested in spiritual direction can learn about MichianaSDN and connect with our community.
If you're on Facebook, we invite you to follow the page and help us spread the word. Find us at facebook.com/MichianaSDN.
What is the Enneagram?
While many personality assessments describe who we are, the Enneagram is unique in that it invites us back to our "true self"—our authentic, deepest self. It does this by providing insight into our core motivations, which lie beneath our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. With this understanding, we can recognize recurring "false self" patterns and consciously choose responses that move us toward greater wholeness and freedom.
In a spiritual direction practice, the Enneagram can deepen the way a spiritual director is present with directees. Even if directees are not familiar with the Enneagram, its wisdom can still inform the direction process. Combined with self-awareness, openness to the sacred, and the unfolding work of spiritual growth, it opens opportunities for personal transformation.
If you are new to the Enneagram, consider reading Motions of the Soul: The Enneagram and Ignatian Spirituality by Clare Loughrige (written from a Christian, Ignatian perspective), approximately $11 on Amazon. If you are unsure which Enneagram style best fits you, consider taking the WEPSS (Wagner Enneagram Personality Style Scale) assessment (approximately $15). If interested, purchase the WEPSS test. While neither is required for the conference, familiarity with these resources may enrich your experience.
Reflection on Spring 2026 Conference
By Susanna Cantu Gregory
This spring, the MSDN enjoyed a conference on the topic of "Serving the God Who Suffers: Providing Spiritual Direction in the Context of Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma," led by Dr. Deborah Byler. Drawing upon her extensive study, her book God’s Wounded Servants: Hope for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, and her many years of ministry experience, Dr. Byler guided participants in exploring ways spiritual directors are uniquely suited to care for those who suffer.
Through lecture, two case studies, and a robust bibliography, she shared gifts spiritual directors can offer, including trust in God's slow healing work, diverse ways of connecting with God in times of struggle, loving kindness, patient presence with those who are hurting, and a deep appreciation for each person's unique path.
Finance Report
$ 2,810.95 — Previous Balance (April 10, 2026)
$ 677.00 — Income (April 10-July 15, 2026)
-$ 1,090.50 — Expenses (Spring Conference)
$ 2.397.45 — New Balance (through 7/15/2026)
Save the Date!
The conference dates for 2027 have been set. Please reserve these dates in your calendars:
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Monday, April 12, 2027
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Wednesday, September 22, 2027
Add these dates to your calendar (.ics file)
We hope you'll join us!
If you would like to receive our newsletter twice a year and occasional updates, write to michianasdn@gmail.com, and we will add you to our mailing list.
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