Fall Retreat for Quaker Women in Public Ministry

A query on Facebook about interest in a retreat for Quaker Women in Public Ministry  has lead to plans for an actual retreat, October 21–23, 2016, at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center, in North Andover, Massachusetts.    

‍Details from the planning committee, and a link to their website:    

What: A gathering of Quaker Women in Public Ministry. As simple and as amazingly  varied as that! We intend to follow a hybrid model of structured time and the Open Space/ Unconference model. The weekend will include times of worship and  worship sharing in small groups, as well as multiple participant-led  offerings in identified time slots.    

Who: Attendance at the event will be open to any Quaker Woman with a public ministry. We hope to include women from across the branches of Friends as well as across the  geography of Friends. The group will be limited in size based on space at the  retreat center.    

‍Why: In November 2015, a  simple Facebook post with a question about interest in an event for Quaker  Women in Public Ministry yielded 67 comments from Friends and friends of  Friends in a matter of days! Soon after, a short digital survey launched for  the purpose of further discernment. In excess of sixty responses indicate a  deep hunger for this event, as well as much uncertainty about what counts as  public ministry. For a glimpse into possible topics,  click here.    

This event aspires to witness to the particularity of callings laid upon  participants’ hearts by providing a venue for Spirit to knit together a blessed community of connection, support, mentoring, restoration, and  passion.    

We hope you will prayerfully consider if you need to be with us at this event.    

Eden Grace, Viv Hawkins and Jennie Isbell Shinn—the planning committee