And Friends meet together, and know one another in that which is eternal, which was before the world was.

– George Fox, Epistle 14

Imagine what it might mean to build more trust and connection with Friends and newcomers in your Quaker meeting. Imagine inviting greater meaning, guidance, and growth into your own life. Imagine the ripple effect in our meetings and communities as we live our faith in the world.

The Spiritual Deepening Program gives Friends and newcomers opportunities to rediscover Quaker faith and thought, connect with Spirit, and build relationships with each other through sharing and deep listening.  Through exercises, discussions, introspection, and creativity, participants share their spiritual stories, explore how Quaker thought and spiritual practices can transform lives, and go deeper together into the life of the Spirit.

There are two ways to go deeper with Spiritual Deepening:

The Spiritual Deepening Library

The Spiritual Deepening Library is a collection of experiential activities and resources. The program grew as a response to a deep hunger among Friends for spiritual relationships, improved sense of faith community, and a better understanding of the roots of our Quaker faith and spiritual practices.

Program materials are designed for participants of all ages and stages in their spiritual journey. Participants engage in activities, discussions, role-plays, spiritual practices, art and music exercises, and worship sharing. Inviting newcomers to join a Spiritual Deepening small group can serve as outreach and offer a way to integrate newcomers into the life of the meeting.

Visit the Spiritual Deepening Library

Spiritual Deepening eRetreats & Online Offerings

Join a Spiritual Deepening eRetreat, together or as individuals, to build spiritual community and explore Quaker practices and faith over a 4-week online session led by a seasoned facilitator.  eRetreats are offered on topics such as Silence & Light, Living into Wholeness, Becoming Patterns & Examples, and Understanding and Healing White Supremacy.

The Spiritual Deepening eRetreats are flexible and affordable. The suggested fee for participating in the program is $35-45 per participant, on a pay-as-led basis.  Pay-as-Led is a method of offering sliding scale pricing so that paid events are more accessible for people with a wide range of abilities to pay.

Learn More About eRetreats

From FGC’s 2017 Annual Report

Interested in Learning More?

Join the Spiritual Deepening mailing list to receive announcements about program updates and opportunities to register for upcoming eRetreats.

News

Events

  • Silence & Light for Quaker Newcomers eRetreat

    The Silence & Light eRetreat invites you to explore and practice the experience of Quaker worship and silent waiting, for an inward encounter with Inner Teacher who leads, guides, and transforms us every day. This session is offered for people who are curious about Quakers or new to Quakerism and will explore the basics of Quaker theology and practice.

    “This eRetreat has been a gentle reminder to ‘wait to feel the Spirit’ and listen more closely for it….This was a perfect combination of a mini retreat, communal sharing and learning experience.” – Spiritual Deepening eRetreat participant

    eRetreat Details:

    • Offered December 2, 2023 through January 6, 2024 (Skipping the week of December 23)
    • Four weeks, $45 pay-as-led** participation fee
    • Weekly readings, queries, resources, and activities available on FGC’s eRetreat website, Matrix
    • Community Building Calls: Saturdays from 1-2:30pm Eastern / 10-11:30am Pacific starting May 6.

    **Pay-as-Led is a method of offering sliding scale pricing so that paid events are more accessible for people with a wide range of abilities to pay. Participants choose how much to pay for the registration fee.

    eRetreat Schedule and Weekly Themes

    Weekly Theme Module Begins Community Building Call
    Introductions December 2
    Week 1: Stillness and Silent Times December 2 December 9
    Week 2: The Light Working in Us December 9 December 16
    Week 3: Deep Listening & Discernment December 16 December 30
    Week 4: Relationships & Spiritual Community December 30 January 6

    Community Building Calls

    Each week, the facilitators will lead Community Building Calls using Zoom. During these calls, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the eRetreat content, worship together, do additional eRetreat exercises, and build connections with each other.

    The Silence & Light for Quaker Newcomers eRetreat will be facilitated by Michael Levi.

    Michael Levi is a member of Adelphi Friends Meeting in Maryland. For many years he has taught “An Introduction to Quakerism” to members and attenders of his Meeting and to parents of a Friends school. In addition, Michael has led many sessions, especially on Friends history and practices, under the care of Adelphi’s Continuing Quaker Education committee. Michael’s leading is to help provide a framework in which the guidance of the Spirit can resonate and be better understood, so that we all emerge better equipped to answer that of God.

    In a non-Quaker context, Michael has led scores of workshops and trainings on topics ranging from nonviolence and civil disobedience to economic statistics and software development.

    Sign up for the Spiritual Deepening email list to be notified about upcoming eRetreat opportunities.

    The Silence & Light eRetreat invites you to explore and practice the experience of Quaker worship and silent waiting, for…

    • Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

    • Virtual
    View Event - Silence & Light for Quaker Newcomers eRetreat

  • God is Within Her: Quakers Experience The Color Purple – Reflections with nova george and friends

    Join theologian and FGC staff member nova george for a conversation with a special guest about themes raised in The Color Purple novel and 1985 film. Register for the Zoom event at the button above.

    nova george is a dreamer, wonderer, and poet with a deep interest in the Hebrew Bible and the ways faith informs imaginings and realities with regards to community, belonging, and inclusion. nova’s eyes light up in conversation about the pedagogical impact of technology in classrooms, liberation theologies, black literature as sacred text, and ritual and spiritual practice. You might find nova lounging in a Brooklyn café having a cup of herbal tea, singing to a tree in their backyard, or dreaming about the world they hope to co-create with all of you.

    Join theologian and FGC staff member nova george for a conversation with a special guest about themes raised in The…

    • Thursday, December 14th, 2023 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

    • Virtual
    View Event - God is Within Her: Quakers Experience The Color Purple – Reflections with nova george and friends

  • Meeting for Worship for Newcomers and Seekers

    Goal: Spiritual Deepening’s Worship for Newcomers aims to support Friends and seekers new to Quakerism. This program will introduce Newcomers to Quaker worship practices as well as allow them to ask questions and reflect on their experiences as they flow through their journey in worship spaces with Friends from the seasoned to the seeking.  

    Audience: Worship for Newcomers is for folks who are curious about Quaker worship and are eager to learn in community. It is also a great companion experience for attenders of SD programming, such as the Silence and Light eRetreat for Newcomers.  

    Background: After review of data from evaluations of the April 2022 and May 2021 Silence and Light eRetreats, one noticing is that attenders crave more worshipful connection. This meeting is Spiritual Deepening’s response to that noticing.    

    How to attend: If you are interested in attending Meeting for Worship for Newcomers and Seekers, please fill out the registration form so we can keep you updated. There is no registration fee required to attend this Spiritual Deepening offering.

    **Worship for Newcomers and Seekers will be held on Mondays at 7pm EST/ 4 pm PT **

    Goal: Spiritual Deepening’s Worship for Newcomers aims to support Friends and seekers new to Quakerism. This program will introduce Newcomers…

    • Monday, January 8th, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    • Virtual
    View Event - Meeting for Worship for Newcomers and Seekers

  • God is Within Her: Quakers Experience The Color Purple – A Film Discussion

    Now that you’ve seen The Color Purple, join FGC Friends for a discussion on the themes that arose! Register now and watch this space for details!

    Now that you’ve seen The Color Purple, join FGC Friends for a discussion on the themes that arose! Register now…

    • Thursday, January 11th, 2024 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

    • Virtual
    View Event - God is Within Her: Quakers Experience The Color Purple – A Film Discussion

  • Poetry as Spiritual Practice

    The Poetry as Spiritual Practice workshop invites you to experiment with words as a way to deepen your connection with your Inner Guide.

    (more…) The Poetry as Spiritual Practice workshop invites you to experiment with words as a way to deepen your connection with…

    • Saturday, January 13th, 2024 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    • Virtual
    View Event - Poetry as Spiritual Practice
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