During each week of an eRetreat, you will be invited to consider a selection of essays, videos, queries, spiritual practices, and stories from Friends. The eRetreat content is available to you throughout the week so you can engage at your own time and pace.
Go at Your Own Pace
We know that you may not have the time to dive fully into each piece, and we invite you to choose the content that best fits your schedule and your interest. The materials in each weekly module are labeled according to the estimated time required for engagement.
If you have five minutes…
Watch a QuakerSpeak video or read a quotation that invites you to explore the roots of Quaker faith and gives contents to Quaker practices and beliefs.
If you have twenty minutes…
Read an essay or article, often an example from the life of an early or contemporary Friend that demonstrate the experiences of Quakers living their faith in the world.
If you have an hour…
Listen to a podcast, watch a longer video, or read an in-depth article through which you can dive deeper into the themes of the week.
Forums
Each week, you will connect with other participants as you share your reflections and experiences in discussion forums linked to the weekly activities. This may fill an hour or two each week (or longer, if you choose!)
Community Building Calls
A key component of the eRetreat experience is the weekly 90-minute community building calls. The Community Building calls offer an opportunity to introduce yourself, meet other participants, and go deeper into the weekly content. All participants are strongly encouraged to connect to the weekly calls, which previous participants have described as deep, meaningful, and community-building.
Deepen Your Spiritual Practice
In addition to exploring the eRetreat content online, participants are encouraged to commit to a personal spiritual practice during the eRetreat. This may involve daily worship, journaling, prayer, reading, movement, or any other practice that invites you to connect with That Which is Eternal. We encourage participants to consider the eRetreat weeks as a personal retreat and to make the program work for your individual life.
Building Spiritual Community Online
Within the Spiritual Deepening eRetreat content, you’ll find opportunities to build relationships, deepen your personal spiritual practice, learn from others, and explore Quaker thought. Each online retreat is lead by an experienced facilitator.
As newcomers and Quakers come together to build a spiritual community online, the experience is made richer through the commitment, intention, and active participation of all members of the community. An example of active participation may be to set an intention to post your own reflection to at least one activity each week and to respond to at least three other participants. Past eRetreat community members have expressed gratitude for the mutual learning, support, and encouragement shared by the community during a Spiritual Deepening eRetreat.
Remember that spiritual growth often involves stretching, so invite yourself to try new things and consider new perspectives.
What eRetreat Participants Have Said
“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
How do I sign up?
Upcoming eRetreats and book discussions will be listed here and on FGC’s Events Calendar.
Registration for each eRetreat session will open about three weeks before the start date.
Sign up for the Spiritual Deepening email list to receive announcements about registering for an upcoming eRetreat.