\u201cI especially appreciated all the activities that led me to feel very connected to Spirit in myself and also in the participants.<\/p>\n
Now I know what prayer\/Holding In the Light is all about.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had that question finally answered for me.<\/p>\n
Both small and large groups worked so well.\u00a0 Very powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cConference was what I hoped for and needed.\u00a0 I felt like it met my needs and gave me food for my journey.\u00a0 I appreciated the structure of the weekend that helped us open up and meet each other on a deeper level.\u00a0 And helped us know ourselves on a deeper level.\u201d\u00a0 Sharon<\/p>\n
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\u201cI loved it . . . what a group!\u00a0 The facilitators were informative, fun and relaxed.\u00a0 I learned so much especially in the small groups\u2013The intimacy was surprising . . . from Friday night right through Sunday noon.<\/p>\n
The culmination Holding In the Light exercise was a perfect ending\u2013 it kind of gathered all the love, Spirit and authenticity together.\u00a0 Quite miraculous.<\/p>\n
Also, being at Pendle Hill made the whole experience warmer, keener, more revelatory.\u00a0 Even feeling the energy of the downed trees\u2013making way for the new.<\/p>\n
I feel the power of something coming from the ashes with the spiritual formation of new ways of expressing our spirituality, maybe more expressed revelation \u2013 continuing revelation!!!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Peg Smedley\u00a0\u00a0 [drawing of BIG heart]\n
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\u201cThese retreats are always a surprise to me in how deep they go.\u00a0 This was particularly intense thanks to all the group work.\u00a0 Even though they took me beyond my comfort zone, it was engaging and in some ways profoundly moving\u00a0 <\/u>Thank you.<\/p>\n
I think the \u201ccounting off\u201d method of making small groups is excellent.\u00a0 We get to sit with a variety of people, not just our friends. (Also\u2013says an insecure person, no one is left standing alone after the cliques all glom together!)<\/p>\n
Loved the free time too.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cThanks! Rejuvenating.\u00a0 Marcelle was excellent.\u00a0 Everything was well structured.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cI really enjoyed all the activities at the spiritual formation retreat.\u00a0 I think the program was extremely well (indecipherable word) and organized. I do wish there was a little more time for breaks, although I knew that\u2019s difficult to bale-in (?). I also suggest adding more \u201cmixed-media\u201d elements, for example, I enjoyed the songs, maybe a little art-related activities would be a nice addition.\u00a0 I think the focus being on \u201clistening\u201d was amazing.\u00a0 I got a lot out of focusing on one area of spirituality.\u00a0 I\u2019m so grateful for all the Collaborative has done and continues to do.\u00a0 Thanks for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m so grateful for this weekend.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m resourced, warmed, energized, companioned and strengthened in my sense of what Quakerism has to offer the world right now.\u00a0 Having missed the big downtown protest yesterday at a moment where it was the biggest group of folk in my meeting convened for any political party in my history with my meeting\u2013felt big. (I\u2019m saying big a lot but things feel big right now.)\u00a0 I\u2019m to facilitate a meeting-wide retreat on Spirit-led action on May 3rd and Marcelle\u2019s offerings helped me see how spiritual grounding practices can lead organically to purpose and connection regarding social action.\u00a0 We always need to begin with our communal experience of Spirit if we\u2019re to bring anything distinctly Quaker to this moment where our unique charism\u2013the gifts of our specific lineage\u2013 are SOOO needed.\u00a0 This weekend fed my power pack to be able to hold sacred space with clarity and with a sense of being an instrument of service, of acting in keeping with my own specific gifts and calling, rather than being pulled towards the current of action of urgency of DOING, DOING, DOING rather than taking the time\/space\/effort of deeply grounded and corporate discernment. SO grateful!!! I appreciated the chanting, the walking meditation, the hands-on holding \u2013 the inclusion of the body in the work of this weekend. Choosing Marcelle\u2019s ministry of experiential, lived, mystical faithfulness made this particularly possible \/ whole\/ of a piece.\u00a0 I would love to participate again!\u00a0 Whole self opening.\u00a0 Hearts and bodies attuned.\u00a0 Quaker spaces where this is the priority are rare.\u00a0 THANK YOU! I hope in the future to have a chance to contribute my energies to the work of the Spiritual Formation Collaborative.\u00a0 You\u2019re my people [three hearts].\u201d<\/p>\n
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I loved it!\u00a0 I am touched and impressed with the care, thought and generosity the Collaborative put into this.\u00a0\u00a0 All of the facilitated activities taught me something or moved me in some way\u2014each was powerful.\u00a0 I loved Marcelle\u2019s teaching and facilitation.\u00a0 She is a powerful and inspiring example.\u00a0 I am so glad to have\u00a0 had this experience as a part of my reintroduction to Quakerism<\/p>\n
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The pacing was just about perfect.\u00a0 Just enough contact, interaction, soul searching and relaxation.\u00a0 Marcelle was wonderful.\u00a0 I love the\u201d I experience the spirit within\u201d and “Holding in the Light\u201d.\u00a0 Thanks to the Collaborative.<\/p>\n
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I feel so blessed to have been a part of this amazing weekend and I can\u2019t thank you enough for everything that allowed and encouraged us to share and express our true selves.\u00a0 I felt so intimidated on Friday night but the warmth and kindness I felt quickly made me feel comfortable and at home.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you for sharing your time and gifts.\u00a0 It is appreciated more than you will ever know.\u00a0 I am leaving today full of hope, feeling loved and cared for and grateful for the opportunity to share my love and care.<\/p>\n
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I found the number of small group activities to be great, really enabled me to get to know people and to practice and experience the concepts we were discussing.\u00a0 The facilitators’ energy was very calm and supportive.\u00a0 I loved having free time on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
One small suggestion:\u00a0 Meeting for worship actually ran long both days so a bit more cushion between that and the start of the day\u2019s session would be a good idea.<\/p>\n
All the exercises were good but I found \u201cHolding in the Light\u201d the most powerful.<\/p>\n
The intimacy\u00a0 experienced\u00a0 during the active\/passive activities carried me further into \u201cright\u201d relationship with fellow beings-Active listening unselfishly and providing loving support to each other.\u00a0 Ya\u2019 all did good.\u00a0 I will seek more in kind.<\/p>\n
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I loved the entire retreat.\u00a0 Everything from the exercises to the snacks helped me to grow spiritually and connect with the light within.\u00a0 The retreat fostered a sense of love and openness that I can bring into my daily life and practice.<\/p>\n
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I wasn\u2019t excited about small circles at first, but they were very powerful and meaningful.\u00a0 ( I always struggle with this).<\/p>\n
I met really nice people.<\/p>\n
In troubled times it was good to be around powerful, peaceful people.<\/p>\n
Marcelle was very thoughtful: good about using different words than God.\u00a0 I struggle with that term.<\/p>\n
I have done a prayer circle before;\u00a0 It is always\u00a0 a moving thing.<\/p>\n
The leadership group was very helpful and welcoming.<\/p>\n
Suggestion: walking in poetry, prayer and peace.\u00a0 Using Lectio Divina;<\/p>\n
It was a wonderful escape into a world of inner discovery<\/p>\n
Thank you<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis has been an amazing weekend.<\/p>\n
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I appreciated all aspects and exercises, from the first to the last.<\/p>\n
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I appreciate the counting out for forming the groups as it gave me an opportunity to meet new people every time. I look forward to the contact list so I can be in touch with some of the fantastic folks I met.<\/p>\n
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Alternate idea for Saturday night: hone a list of queries and a meeting for worship style gathering and folks can spontaneously respond to any query (and some folks can just sit in worship or hold everyone in the light). I sincerely appreciate all of your work.\u201d\u00a0 Doreen<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis was a groundbreaking experience for me. I\u2019ve been attending Haddonfield meeting for about two years. We\u2019ve not done any of these practices (at least to my awareness). I\u2019m going to make an announcement at Meeting and encourage others to attend next year. The group practices were powerful and something I\u2019d like to share with my fellow friends.<\/p>\n
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I met so many wonderful Friends here who I hope to meet again. Life has been a bit stressful for me (I\u2019m a federal employee) and the peace and love I felt during this retreat is very restorative.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019d love to have the SFC come to work with Friends at Haddonfield Meeting. Please let me know how I might work to make that happen.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m so very grateful to you and send lots of love!!! Lisa Hibner<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe whole experience was deepening. Somehow time flew by. And the last exercise (holding in the Light) was so deep and moving. Thanks to wonderful facilitators!!\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis was my second trip to the SF Retreat, and both were on the top of my list. I especially loved the breakout groups, which were very spiritually oriented. This is a meeting? Ministry? Which we all need, but do not get enough of. Walking meditation was very moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cHard to put into words how wonderfully refreshing this weekend has been for me. Thank you so much for all the work everyone has put into this and for making it affordable for me. I leave feeling full and refreshed and loved!\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe retreat was very grounded in Spirit.<\/p>\n
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Marcel\u2019s pace of being very slow was much appreciated.<\/p>\n
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Her speaking about and organizing repetitive questions was cool and evoking. Each time you had to go deeper\u2013as opposed to answering just once or twice.<\/p>\n
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Thank you for a lovely retreat.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cI was looking forward to time away for many weeks\u2013thankful for my meeting\u2019s financial support & and my family\u2019s gift of time.<\/p>\n
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The pacing of the programs was perfect, and the focus on experiential learning\/growing was perfect, too.<\/p>\n
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Well thought out, well-inspired, well-led.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cNourishing (soul)<\/p>\n
Encouraging<\/p>\n
Fantastic<\/p>\n
Community<\/p>\n
Powerful<\/p>\n
Awesome<\/p>\n
Incredible<\/p>\n
Enlightening<\/p>\n
Motivating<\/p>\n
Perfect<\/p>\n
Moving<\/p>\n
Heart centric<\/p>\n
Spiritual<\/p>\n
Hopeful<\/p>\n
Wouldn\u2019t change a thing<\/p>\n
Grateful<\/p>\n
Educational spirituality<\/p>\n
Thank you thank you thank you<\/p>\n
(heart peace signed smiley face)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Side note: lodging perfect<\/p>\n
Food tasty Nourishing<\/p>\n
Pendle Hill (five hearts)\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cWonderful open heart surging (?) conference<\/p>\n
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Much healing and organization<\/p>\n
(May recommend too)<\/p>\n
Time for \u201crehaul\u201d at Yardley Mtg.<\/p>\n
With my fellow attendees<\/p>\n
Thank you for all that great work on before and during this weekend retreat.\u201d<\/p>\n
92% of the participants thought the retreat was extremely or very helpful in guiding them to centering, listening with trust and love, and centering themselves in community.<\/p>\n
Here is a sampling of the written responses that were voluntarily added to the questionnaire:<\/p>\n
Blessings on you all!<\/p>\n
The leadership was excellent, passing the baton from one to another effortlessly, punctuated with music.<\/p>\n
I just want to say thank you.<\/p>\n
Wonderful!<\/p>\n
The retreat was a vessel; it provided the excuse for the Presence to come among us.<\/p>\n
Thank you for offering this again!<\/p>\n
I was aware of God\u2019s presence. It helped me to be aware of the possibility of transformation.\u00a0 I am prepared for Annual Sessions.\u00a0 I am trusting in God\u2019s leading and am conscious of love of God.<\/p>\n
Thank you to the facilitators. This time touched my heart.<\/p>\n
Thank you!\u00a0 This is a very important part of the whole Annual Sessions event for me.\u00a0 Now I feel better prepared to participate more fully in Sessions.<\/p>\n
Thank you all for the stellar design.\u00a0 It worked.<\/p>\n
First retreat.\u00a0 Excellent. Great way to prep for Sessions.<\/p>\n
Thank you all.\u00a0 Keep up the good work!!<\/p>\n
Very carefully and prayerfully done.\u00a0 Thank you to all who planned and executed the retreat.\u00a0 It met a need I didn\u2019t even know I had on a personal level, and I sense that it will meet an ever greater need for the larger body for grounding in God\u2019s love and care as we move into our gathering at Annual Sessions.\u00a0 Thank you!<\/p>\n
Until next year’s retreat, you may wish to think about two opportunities we have for you. One is for you to bring the Spiritual Formation Program to your meeting or quarter: https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/interested-in-sf\/<\/a>.If you’re not ready to make that commitment, perhaps you’d like to join us at our upcoming weekend retreat at Kenbrook Retreat Center in the Fall: https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/2019-spiritual-formation-retreat\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A heartfelt thank you if you attended the Pre-Annual Sessions Retreat organized by the Spiritual Formation Collaborative. In my humble opinion, you created an atmosphere in which Sessions was held in Love and Light. But it’s not just me; I heard lots of buzz saying the same kind of thing. Besides attending the retreat, many of you joined others grounding sessions in the plenary space. Both of these actions of yours made sessions a place where you could feel the winds of Spirit blowing.<\/p>\n On preliminary examination of the evaluation you did during the last session of the retreat, you thought it would make a difference by preparing you. When answering the question of whether you thought the retreat prepared you for Annual Sessions, 79% answered “a great deal” and the other 21% answered “a lot.”<\/p>\n Another question on the survey asked how likely you would be to attend a Pre-Annual Sessions Retreat next year and 89% of you thought it was “very likely” with the other 11% saying “likely.” We’re thrilled and have already been scouring the results of the evaluation survey for thoughts on improvement for next year.<\/p>\n In the mean time, you may wish to think about two opportunities we have for you. One is for you to bring the Spiritual Formation Program to your meeting or quarter. If you’re not ready to make that commitment, perhaps you’d like to join us at our upcoming weekend retreat at Kenbrook Retreat Center in the Fall.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2025 Spring Retreat \u201cI especially appreciated all the activities that led me to feel very connected to Spirit in myself and also in the participants. Now I know what prayer\/Holding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":427,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"iawp_total_views":260,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-177","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/427"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/177\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pym.org\/spiritual-formation-program-collaborative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}2018 Pre-Annual Sessions Retreat<\/h1>\n