RUAH School of Spiritual Guidance

Stained glass in the Richmond Hill chapel depicting the Hebrew word ruah translated “wind/spirit/breath”

RUAH — a Hebrew word meaning “breath” and “spirit” — is a two-year course designed for laity and clergy who wish to discern, develop, and nurture a call to the ministry of spiritual guidance.

The faculty team and guest speakers present a number of topics using lectures, discussions, practicums, and peer groups. The program encourages the integration of personal experience with the presented material in a way that nourishes spiritual growth.

Each school year runs for ten months, September through June.  The program consists of monthly retreats in the context of the rhythm of life of the Richmond Hill Community. Prayer and faith sharing are a part of the discipline of all participants. One book is assigned each month on the upcoming  topic.

Applications materials for our next cohort (beginning Fall 2025 and running through Spring 2027) include:

For further information, download the documents above, peruse the topics below, or contact Sylvia King, Dean of the Weekend RUAH School, or Brenda Giannini, Dean of the Weekday RUAH School, 804-783-7903.

The RUAH School of Spiritual Guidance intends to be part of God’s ministry in metropolitan Richmond. We believe that the local community will be transformed, as participants find deeper intimacy with God and develop bonds of deep spiritual friendship that nourish and challenge us to live out our call with faith and vigor.

Topics include Principles of Spiritual Guidance, Use of Scripture in Spiritual Guidance, Discerning Religious Experience, Depth Psychology, Presence Skills, History of Christian Spirituality, African American Spirituality, Spiritual Development, Dreams, Types of Prayer, Tools for Self-Understanding, Social Transformation, and Ethical Issues. The program is grounded in the Christian tradition, is ecumenical in focus, and welcomes all who are genuine seekers.

  • Will provide a letter of recommendation by their pastor
  • Will be personally interviewed by members of the RUAH faculty
  • Are willing to explore their call to a ministry of spiritual guidance
  • Are willing to make a two-year commitment to the RUAH program
  • Are willing to have an experience of spiritual guidance, with a guide of their own choice

The first and last retreats of each program year are 48-hour retreats; all other retreats are 24-hours.

The weekend RUAH cohort meets on the second* weekend of each month. The first retreat begins the second Friday in September at 5 pm and lasts until 4 pm Sunday. During the next eight months, sessions will take place from 5 pm on Saturday until 4 pm on Sunday. The final retreat of the year will take place from 5 pm on the second Friday in June through 4pm Sunday.

The weekday/clergy RUAH cohort meets during the second* week of each month. The first retreat in September will be Wednesday – Friday, beginning at 5 pm and concluding at 4 pm. During the next eight months, sessions will take place from 5 pm on Thursday until 4 pm on Friday. The final retreat of the year will take place the third week of June, Wednesday – Friday, beginning at 5 pm and concluding at 4 pm.

Each participant is expected to schedule three 24-hr individual overnight retreats (directed or non-directed) for each year of the program. These can take place Tuesday – Sunday. (Richmond Hill is closed Sunday 4 pm through Tuesday 9 am for sabbath rest for its residential community.)

The schedule for year two of the program follows the same format as year one.

* May be subject to change on rare occasions due to Richmond Hill’s availability.

Each cohort is open to 24 persons. The annual cost is $2500. We will attempt to make certain that persons who are called to this program are able to afford it. Payment schedules can be arranged. Applicants will be selected after interviews. Please note that every effort will be made to create a cohort balanced by denomination, race, and gender.

RUAH school faculty members represent various perspectives and experience with the ministry of spiritual guidance, as well as divergent denominational backgrounds. They have extensive lay training and experience within the local church. All feel privileged to be involved with the RUAH school.

Here are some members of our faculty —

Sylvia King has spent over 20+ years working and journeying with others through ministry as a pastor, SOZO Christian healing prayer minister, and RUAH spiritual director. Her passion has always been to “clear the path” of those going before her, beside her, or coming after her. The Divine has allowed her to “clear the path” in many ways. Knowing that one size does not fit all, the Divine used the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Direction; Heart Longings: An Invitation to the Contemplative Path; and Spiritual Formation: A Seminar on Contemplative Leadership, to broaden and strengthen her. It brings her joy to draw and paint all that Divine has created, to play her bass guitar and belt out a melody, and to laugh and sing with her grandchildren.

Paul Amrhein — After receiving a degree in forest resource management I entered the Peace Corps and served in Niger, West Africa where I developed a deep love for the people of Africa and had a conversion experience. I continued to steward God’s creation in my work including a return to Africa to begin a forestry project in the refugee camps of Somalia after which I became a Franciscan brother for 6 years. Shortly after leaving the Franciscans I finished my Master’s degree in environmental policy (essentially economics) with an emphasis on “third world development.” In the mid 90s I began a career working for the church as associate director of parish social ministry for the diocese of Wilmington. I then joined a former Franciscan classmate working at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Raleigh as the social concerns minster until taking my current position at St. Bridget, in Richmond. I also volunteer as a member of the faculty for the RUAH School of Spiritual Direction at Richmond Hill. My passions are advocacy, camping with my family, Catholic Social Teaching, organic gardening, hiking, spiritual direction, and wine.

Dennis Beeman — Retired Director of Christian Formation for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond (1998-2008); member of RUAH Faculty since 2014. Married to wife Loretta for 44 years, father of four young adult daughters, five grandchildren.

Beverly Vandevender is an adjunct Spiritual Director as well as convener for a monthly Peer Supervision group at Richmond Hill.  She is a two-time graduate of the Spiritual Direction Institute founded by Father Chester Michael; 1997-1999 in Charlottesville and 2018-2020 in Richmond.  Having retired in 2022, her vocational career in administration covered many decades in a variety of settings: from a non-profit organization, to seminary staff, and ending in a parish setting as administrator.  Beverly is married to her husband Carl for 39 years, a mother of two adult children, has two grandchildren and two grand-dogs!  She enjoys early morning walks, beach time in the fall, and hosting gatherings for family and friends. 

Beth Nelson brings to RUAH thirty years of experience facilitating meaningful learning experiences within the field of adult education and program design along with her passion for deeply listening and walking with others as they birth their unique gifts and work into the world. She taps into her creative joy when supporting a vibrant and reciprocal relationship between people, Earth, our other-than-human kin, and the Divine. Often you can find Beth in conversation with Spirit, wildlife, and people while tending the contemplative gardens of Richmond Hill where she is also Co-Gardener. She also enjoys spending time with her family while walking their dog in the neighboring city park, learning from her son about the vast worlds of Minecraft and Pokemon Go, and tending the sacred space of her home garden.