Traveling Teachers
And Retreat Leaders List
Revised
March 2004
Courses, designed and offered by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Adult Religious Education Concerns Group and by individual Friends within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting are included.. Courses range from one-to-six sessions and in length from one hour to a full day or weekend. Each course listing has a brief description.
These
programs are provided with assistance from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Annual
Fund
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Core Traveling CoursesCourses by Individual FriendsFaith & Witness Care & Counsel |
Courses by ThemeCourses by LeaderLeaders for Courses in This ListSpeakers for Brief PresentationsRetreat Centers in PYM RegionARE Coordinator |
For updates, additions or corrections, print copies and further information, contact
evand@pym.org
215 241 7182
800-220-0796 ext. 7182
HONORARIUM AND OTHER COSTS
Many teachers and retreat leaders accept an honorarium and/or
travel reimbursement for this ministry. Financial arrangements should be discussed
in advance.
For courses arranged through the PYM Adult Religious Education coordinator, the honorarium is $360 for a six-week program. This provides an estimate for costs for your meeting should arrangements be made directly with the course leader. Some courses may be 4 or 8 weeks, depending upon the nature of the course and preferences of the Meeting and the facilitator; this also serves as a guide for reimbursing speakers for single sessions. Costs of books or materials should be considered. For travel reimbursement, we suggest the Yearly Meeting staff reimbursement rate (40.5 cents per mile) or the cost of public transit.
When the ARE coordinator arranges for payment to a teacher/retreat
leader, PYM takes responsibility for appropriate accounting.
These traveling courses were developed in response to a need for continuing study among Friends. Most courses (except for Prayer) are designed for six 1½-2 hour sessions. Prayer is designed for six 2½ hour sessions with a maximum of 14 individuals. Courses may be arranged through the Adult Religious Education Coordinator or by contacting a leader directly . Even when a meeting makes its own arrangements, evaluations should be submitted.
Group cost is $300 plus travel and materials.
Call the Adult Religious Education Coordinator by the following dates:
Fall course (Sept.-Nov.): June 15
Winter course (Jan.-March): October 31
Spring course (April-June): January 31
Quakerism 101: Basic Quakerism is designed to orient new members and attenders to the faith and practice of Friends, and to deepen the understanding of more seasoned Friends. The course explores early history, beliefs, worship and ministry, meeting for business (and broader issues of community), testimonies, and the wider world of Friends and Friends’ organizations. Offered by Chel Avery, Ken Blackwell,, Joan Broadfield, John Gallery, Christine Greenland , Gene Hillman, Larry MacKenzie, Thomas Macaluso, Bill Smith, Jonathan Snipes, and Thomas Swain.
Quakerism 201: Faith and Witness (Testimonies and Concerns) is designed to explore ways Friends witness to social concerns and seek to live faithfully in the world. The course explores the spiritual roots of social concerns as well as their expression in service. (see also Testimonies and Concerns). Offered by Chel Avery, John Gallery, Steve Gulick, Gene Hillman, Thomas Macaluso, Deanna Mayer, Bill Smith, Joyce Shaffer.
Bible is designed to give Friends a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Bible. It offers participants an historical overview, exploration of a few key stories, a feel for the Bible as a personal spiritual resource, and facility with a good method of Bible study. It is intended to provide the basis for ongoing meeting Bible studies. Specialized courses treating books or collections of books can also be arranged. (See specific courses on the Bible.) Offered by Maria Crosman, Christine M. Greenland, Gene Hillman, Deanna Mayer, Helene Pollock, Tony Prete., Bill Smith. Other courses on the Bible
Prayer aims to help participants develop a deeper relationship with God, become acquainted with traditional spiritual disciplines, gain an understanding of some prayer techniques and the prayer experiences of others, and discern how prayer leads us into action. In this experiential course, participants are expected to establish a habit of prayer. The class should at a time other than Sunday morning. (See also Prayer and Spiritual Life.) Offered by Renee Crauder, Christine M. Greenland, Marcelle Martin, Phil Mullen, Thomas Swain. Other Courses on Prayer
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
Giving Attention. Giving attention requires particular skills for listening to God, to ourselves, and to others at a deep level. It requires courage, hard work, and love. Paying attention can enable us to discern what is clear and centered, in contrast to what is chaotic and distressed in ourselves and in others. This workshop will foster an understanding and experience of Spirit-led individual and corporate listening. Offered by Margery M. Larrabee.
Quakerism: Faith and Practice of Quakers.. This introduction to the Religious Society of Friends is a 6-week course that uses Thomas Kelly's A Testament of Devotion as the linking text. It covers: Foundations of Quakerism, Worship, Living in the Light (three sessions) covering individual practice and testimonies, and corporate testimonies) and Quaker organization. Though designed for 6 sessions of about 2 hours each, it can be expanded or contracted to individual subjects. Offered by Patricia Henry.
The Why Behind the What of Quakerism:
Understanding Right Order. Foundations of Quaker process are
behind why we do things in particular -- and seemingly peculiar -- ways. From
the beginnings of the Quaker message until the present, the Meeting for Worship
remains at the center of Quaker life, faith and practice. As discussion develops,
we will explore how spiritual gifts are recognized and nurtured within the
faith community. The climax of the class will be a discussion of our testimonies
as our witness to the world. Most readings will be from Lloyd Lee Wilson’s,
Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order. A six-week class offered by Thomas
SwainThomas Swain.
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911). Hannah Whitall Smith, under the pen name H.W.S., put the finishing touches on her autobiography, The Unselfishness of God in 1902. In 1875 she published the book for which she is best known, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life. It was an immediate best seller, was translated into many languages, and is still in print. But who was this birthright Philadelphia Friend who, with her husband, Robert Pearsall Smith, resigned from the Religious Society of Friends in order to discover God's way of being involved in everyday life? For a brief period of their search, she became a Plymouth Brother and Robert joined the Presbyterians. Hannah is probably better known outside Quakerism, but her writings and her life lend themselves to closer examination by Quakers. Format: Fri.-Sun. retreat. Offered by Janet Shepherd.
Learnings from Quaker Journals. This is not a designed course but could cover such topics as discernment, vocal ministry, leadings to social action, and individual spiritual growth. Offered by Patricia Henry.
Twentieth Century Friends.
Dynamic Friends in the 20th century grappled with modern understandings of
faith and practice, a process that continues today. Thomas Kelly, Rufus Jones,
Henry Cadbury, Lewis Benson, John Yungblut, Douglas and Dorothy Steere, Kenneth
and Elise Boulding, D. Elton Trueblood, Jack Willcuts and many other public
Friends shaped current understandings of who Friends are in the 21st century.
This 6 week series can be tailored to the interests of each meeting as we
explore the wealth of teaching these Friends provide. Offered by Christine
M. Greenland.
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
Becoming Centered in Feeling and Communication. How does life in the Spirit enable our actions to reflect who we really are? This workshop will explore the interplay between Spirit-centered and secular perspectives, how we discern and choose faithfulness, and how we learn to speak truth in love, as we alter our communication to honor others’ capacities. Offered by Margery M. Larrabee..
Images of God. How do we speak of God? How do we think of God? What models or metaphors are most helpful to us? An opportunity to share our spiritual vocabulary. Offered by Anne Wood.
Joined
in God’s Spirit: Expanding Our Vision of Membership in the Religious Society
of Friends. We will explore: what meeting membership means to us now;
whether God has a dream of something more for us to share with a spiritual
family beyond our nuclear family; possible ways to transform our meetings
into spirit-led communities; and whether our approach to membership issues
could play a role in such a change. Offered by Peter
Blood-Patterson.
Let's Make a Joyful Noise! Learn—or explore more deeply—the elements of group singing, á cappella, harmony, simple chanting, both for fun and to enhance worship. Use of Worship In Song, A Friends Hymnal and some other sources. A retreat day, program or course/series. If desired, accompanist can be arranged. Offered by Joan Broadfield.
Making Good Choices.
Using the Ignatian Way of making decisions and material from Debra Farrington's
Hearing with the Heart — A Gentle Guide to Discerning God's Will for Your
Life, we will have input on various ways of ascertaining what God or God's
Spirit might desire for us now, discussion, and the opportunity of becoming
aclearness committee for each other. A half or full day retreat. Offered by
Renee CrauderRenee Crauder.
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
Conscientious Objection and the Draft. This is a workshop on current events relevant to the draft, on participation in war, or on the current law and regulations and likely consequences of registering or not registering. Content includes raising provocative questions about all of our complicity in war, and getting people talking and asking questions about where they struggle with the peace testimony. Offered by Jonathan Ogle.
How Should Friends Resolve
Difficult Conflicts Among Themselves?
How can conflict be an opportunity for deepening our spiritual lives
and our faith communities? Caroline Packard, PYM staff for conflict resolution
programs, will talk with us about how to free ourselves from our habitual
reactions, re-fill our inner wells during tense times, express our differences
lovingly and clearly, help those we disagree with feel understood, stay open
to appropriate change, and stay compassionately connected to those we disagree
with even when we can't change them. She
will also discuss the use of structured processes such as "gospel; order"
and worship sharing to explore conflicts. This is a one-hour introductory presentation. Other courses, retreats and workshops available.
Offered by Caroline Packard.
Quaker Conflict "IQ"? How and why did Friends make the transition from 17th Century "feisty" to 20th Century "conflict avoiders"? What lessons can we learn to help strengthen our use of the gift of conflict, so necessary for growth? We'll explore stories of the history, ways of addressing conflict, and our own dynamic. Program presentation, interactive, one to three hours; course/ series: presentation, interactive, four to eight hours over 2-3 times; retreat: day-long, many include evening before. Offered by Joan Broadfield
Strengthening Friends’ Culture for Diversity. To deal effectively with the dynamics within Quaker culture that block inclusiveness, we will examine buried assumptions and explore personal bias in order to better understand how they create a climate. Worship, and facilitated sharing help to reclaim energy, commitment of early Friends. Program; course possibilities. (Group may wish racially mixed facilitation; I am willing to explore this with the group). Offered by Joan Broadfield.
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
Discovering Our Gifts. We may be unaware of our creative gifts, or cannot recognize the fullness of who we are. Others can help us discover and claim our giftedness. The community has a critical role to play. This workshop will offer ways we may call forth our gifts as well as overcome our fears and doubts. Offered by Margery M. Larrabee..
Emotional Healing. Each of us is likely to have emotional wounds. Spiritual disciplines and practices can help us become aware of our emotions and can help us clear the stumbling blocks in the path of our spiritual journey assisted by natural healing processes. We can learn to understand our emotions and how best to relate to them on an ongoing basis. Offered by Margery M. Larrabee.
Pastoral Care: Being a Care Giver. How can we be available to others in times of joy, need, or crisis that will be of benefit to them? What do we need to know about ourselves so that we can be most present? What are the basic perceptions and awarenesses that guide us well? Offered by Margery M. Larrabee.
Spirit-led Eldering. What can we learn from formative Quakerism about eldering? How can we use prayer, discernment and interaction to uncover both shadow and substance in ourselves to assist our eldering? We will explore positive and negative eldering and a variety of Quaker methods and forms in order to move toward a holistic and universal practice of Spirit-led eldering. Offered by Margery M. Larrabee.
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
Integrating Quaker Beliefs, Values and Practices into Family Life. A discussion series of six to eight two-hour sessions that can be scheduled as a weekend retreat or a weekly series. Participants discuss what their Quaker beliefs, values, and practices mean to them, and, thus, how their Quaker faith can give guidance to their daily family life. Offered by Harriet Heath.
Integrating Quaker Values into Family Life. A one-session workshop that leads participants through the process of identifying their values, defining them, and finally, integrating them into an actual parenting situation. Offered by Harriet Heath
Parenting Creatively. A discussion series of six to eight two-hour sessions that can be scheduled as a weekend retreat or a weekly series. Parents deal with their issues using a discerning process based on the parents' values and beliefs as well as their children's needs, feelings and individual characteristics. Offered by Harriet Heath
Raising Quaker Children in a Non-Quaker World. A one-session workshop during which participants have an opportunity to both voice their concerns about the world in which children are growing up and explore ways of dealing with their issues. Offered by Harriet Heath.
These courses and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long presentations see Speakers for brief presentations
How the Bible Came to Be. When it comes to the Bible, forget
everything you know about how books are written. This unique collection of works spans a variety of literature,
almost all of which are anonymous, and range from the purely fictional (Job,
Jonah) to stories in which the details of what happened are refashioned
to emphasize why it happened. In
a sense, the Israelites prefigure what many Friends believe: all knowledge is
experiential. The books of the Bible
reflect the meanings the Israelites discerned in their experiences. Minimum:
three one-hour sessions.
Recommended: three two-hour
sessions. Offered by Tony Prete.
These Course by Theme and workshops are designed to allow sufficient time for deepening experience.
For single hour-long
presentations see Speakers
for brief presentations
The
Beginning: Revisited.
The two "creation" accounts that open
the book of Genesis - one spanning seven days, the other involving a garden
- tell us little if anything about how the world was created, but a wealth
about why it was created, and who created it. Each story has an important
message for today. The first account presents creation as a place of safety
and abundance, with "the earthling" (as female and as male) delegated
to ensure its safety and abundance by continuing the divine nurturance and
cultivation. The "garden" story stresses the caring relationship
between God and the earthling, the equal dignity of the earthling's partner,
and what happens when the relationship and the dignity are not honored. Minimum:
two one-hour sessions. Recommended: two two-hour sessions. Other options:
one-day or week-end retreat. Offered
by Tony Prete.
The Feminine God in the Hebrew Prophets. As the ancient Israelites reflected on their many experiences of God's actions in their lives, they came to formulate a core conviction about this God's consistent characteristics. Within that conviction statement, one of the characteristics is uniquely and exclusively feminine. We will explore that characteristic, then use it as