FriendQuaker Conferences and Retreats, Southern California Quarterly Meeting, Uncategorized

Silent Retreat: March 13-15, 2026

TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL FRIENDS’ SILENT RETREAT

Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15, 2026

Optional Extended Retreat, Monday, March 16, 2026

Prince of Peace Abbey

650 Benet Hill Road

Oceanside CA 92058

Earthquake, Wind, or Fire: Attending to the Still Small Voice

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!

(John Greenleaf Whittier, The Brewing of Soma)

“The poem references 1 Kings 19:11-12, in which the prophet Elijah is confronted by God in the
wilderness. Elijah faced tumultuous times in his prophetic task of speaking truth to power. Whittier,
a Quaker abolitionist, similarly dealt with seismic issues in his commitment to the cause of
anti-slavery and social reform.”

(Max Carter: Stephen G. Cary Memorial lecture, Pendle Hill 2025)

For some of us, this retreat comes after literal fires, winds, and rains. Surely, we have all
experienced political and social storms. We have grief; we have confusion, bewilderment,
anger and overwhelm. We long for peace in the chaos, despite the external turmoil.


What if we bring our fear, discouragement, anger and grief, and lay them at the foot of the
mountain? What might we hear if we surrender our desires and the limitations of our mind
and body and sit and listen to the Still Small Voice? Maybe strength and new purpose,
maybe permission to change direction. Maybe a perspective on what part of Spirit’s work
is ours and what is for others.


The silent retreat offers a sanctuary for us to listen deeply, whether walking the beautiful
grounds, participating in optional activities or sitting quietly in our rooms.

Registration Information

COVID PROTOCOLS:  Masks will be optional. We kindly ask participants not to come if they are
having any symptoms.

REGISTRATION: The retreat is open to members of Friends’ Meetings and to attenders of at least
three months. Please register by clicking here:

REgister

Weekend Retreat FEES:

Registration by February 20th:
Double room, $325 per person
Private room, $350 per person
Financial Aid is available**		Late registration until February 27th:
Double room, $350 per person
Private room, $375 per person
Financial Aid is available**

The Abbey has raised their fees and we had to raise ours accordingly. Our actual per-person costs
are about $350. Those who are able to pay more than $350 will help subsidize others who need
financial aid. Fees include program, lodging, and six meals. We can’t accept registrations
submitted after Friday, February 27th. Cancellations received by Friday, February 20th will receive
a full refund. After that date, a $30 cancellation fee will be deducted.

**FINANCIAL AID: No one is turned away because of lack of funds. We have financial aid
available and many meetings offer scholarship grants. Please contact our registrar, Judy Leshefka,
for details about financial support options (judyleshefka@gmail.com).

Venmo or Zelle: Make your payment to Sarah Crompton, Treasurer for the Silent Retreat: cromptonclark@gmail.com (310) 963-6319.

Check:

Make a check out to our treasurer Sarah Crompton and put Silent Retreat in the memo line. 

Mail your check to:  440 N. Broadmoor Blvd. Springfield, Ohio 45504. 

After registration, you will receive a confirmation letter with more information about the retreat and directions to the Abbey. If you will be using public transportation (bus, train) and need a ride to the Abbey, contact Judy Leshefka by Monday, March 9th.

ARRANGEMENTS: Please plan to arrive between 3 pm and 5:30 pm on Friday, March 13th to check-in and get your room key. Dinner will be at 6 pm. We’ll gather at 7 pm for a brief tour of the grounds, followed by an orientation and preparing to enter into the silence, which will last until late Sunday morning. The retreat will end after lunch on Sunday. Please plan to be present for the entire retreat. The spiritual richness of our gathering is enhanced by each participant, and it can be disruptive to have people arriving or leaving at odd times.

(Questions or concerns: contact Judy Leshefka at 858 652-1406 or email: judyleshefka@gmail.com

EXTENDED RETREAT DAY OPPORTUNITY

March 15-16, 2026

Participants may choose this opportunity to stay an extra day for deeper reflection. They can continue their silence during Sunday lunch and throughout the afternoon or join in conversations.

At 3:45 PM, we will meet for a brief worship and set our intentions for the remainder of the retreat. We will then re-enter into silence. On Monday morning, a writing exercise will be offered as an optional activity. We will all meet at 10:30 AM for worship and worship-sharing. The retreat will end after lunch.

If you wish to stay over, please indicate your intention on the registration form.  We must know by February 27th so we can inform the Abbey. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any scholarships for this opportunity. The cost will be $150, the Abbey’s

FriendQuaker Southern California Quarterly Meeting, Spring Gathering, Uncategorized

Clerk’s Call to Spring Gathering

A letter from Dan Srickland, Clerk of SCQM

I recently turned 79, not a remarkable number (except for being a prime, of course – I see you, fellow math geeks). The next birthday will be a big one, though. I remember everyone talking about the “Big 3-0”. Well, hold my beer! So it’s for me becoming a time of mulling over where I am, who I am, and where I’m going. A year of reflection. It’s been a year of loss, personal for me as our house and its contents turned to ash in the Eaton Firestorm. A number of Orange Grove Friends’ Meeting people lost much in that firestorm. For myself, I was surprised to discover the degree to which the house, the things within it, the surroundings and neighbors are a part of my identity. The cliché goes “it’s only stuff”, which certainly speaks to Quakers – but I feel a part of me is gone.

Others among my friends have losses – friends, family, spouses – and apart from the ache of each loss, there’s a sense, I think, of wondering how the loss changes us as individuals. I’m an old Peace Corps volunteer, and served in a country where the volunteers tend to remain a tightly knit community. So we hear about, sometimes see in person, our old friends in declining health, hear when they die, and wonder at how friends who are still young – a year or so younger than I, for Pete’s sake – could be gone.

I think many of us feel that same sense of loss over what has happened to our country. I feel some trepidation at mentioning politics in this context, so I’ll be brief, but I see anger, fear, and mourning among my friends. I see, as well, that same concern over a loss of identity, who we are as a people.

At meeting for worship recently a Friend talked about his grandfather, who recently turned 109, putting my 79 in a very different perspective. The grandfather is officially one of the 10 oldest men in the US. The funny stereotype is a reporter asking the elder how they lived so long, and being told the secret is a daily pack of Camels and a pint of Jim Beam. The Friend observed his grandfather over a visit or two, and saw that he constantly had friends come visit. Lots of conversations, jokes, stories. Maybe that’s how we all survive and thrive, as individuals and as communities, spiritual and otherwise. Lots of visits, gatherings (such as this one I’m calling you to), shared meals, telling stories and planning for future gatherings and visits.

Come to the quarterly spring gathering, join us in the Santa Barbara Meetinghouse, and enjoy our extended community. Let us help, support, heal, and find hope with each other.

FriendQuaker Conferences and Retreats, Uncategorized

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL FRIENDS’ SILENT RETREAT

Where: Prince of Peace Abbey, Oceanside, CA
WHEN: Friday March 15-Sunday March 17, 2024
Optional Extended Retreat, Monday March 18, 2024

Embracing Life
AS IT IS

As we gathered to plan the silent retreat, we checked in with each other. All of us had experienced unwelcome health news, the death of a dear friend, or job loss or uncertainties. All of us had someone close who was facing the breakup of a relationship, financial fraud fallout, or emotional or psychological trauma. We also reported blessings, silver linings, hope, and important moments of gratitude. In other words, we were all experiencing LIFE.


What does it mean to embrace life fully, to celebrate the good things, to manage the bad things, and to navigate the events between? We don’t want to dwell on our diminishments and challenges, but we also don’t want to trivialize them. We want to celebrate our accomplishments and successes, but we also don’t want them to distract us from smelling the roses or experiencing the joy of meandering conversations with friends.


What makes us human may be opposing thumbs or a sense of humor. What makes us humane are the relationships that define us. We gather together to practice mutual care in our relationships with family, self, community and Spirit/God/Ancestors/Universe.
Come contemplate and explore among Friends what it means to embrace all of your life. As it is, now. With grace, with courage, with hope, with acceptance, with grief, and with celebration.

Fees

Early Registration
by February 23rd

double room$275 per person
private room$300
Financial aid is available

Late Registration
by March 1st

double room$300 per person
private room$325
Financial aid is available

For Registration Information, contact judyleshefka@gmail.com

FriendQuaker Uncategorized

Family Work Camp

Family Work Camp at Quaker Center!

August 1-6, 2023

Family Work Camp will be held at the Ben Lomond Quaker Center on August 1 to 6, 2023.

First time at FWC? Family Work Camp is a joyous celebration of community, collective labor, Spirit and fun. After gathering for dinner on Tuesday, August 1st, we’ll spend the next four days divided into work crews. We’ll work on various projects for three-hour shifts between breakfast and lunch, and then spend the afternoons and evenings doing other things together, such as hiking, singing, resting, visiting the San Lorenzo River or a nearby Friends’ pool, or doing nothing at all.

What kind of work will we do? There will be a number of options to choose from, which will include both heavy and light work, and outdoor and indoor projects. Experience is welcome but absolutely not necessary to attend and participate. There will be a trail maintenance crew, a wood-splitting crew, a letter-writing crew and a playground improvement crew, and as always there will be a few surprises.

“Do I have to be in a family to attend?” As with all Quaker Center programs, all are welcome at Family Work Camp. Parents come with their children and their parents, grandparents with their grandchildren, and those who come without family members.

I’m a teen and I want to come but my parents can’t bring me this year. Can I come without my parents? Family Work Camp is a beloved annual gathering for teens and young adults. If you want to come and your parent(s) or guardian aren’t able to bring you, you may be able to come with a responsible adult sponsor over 25 years old. If you’re a teen that fits this description, or an adult who might be willing to sponsor a young person, get in touch with us at (831) 336-8333.

How much does Family Work Camp cost? We don’t want finances to prevent anyone from attending, and like all our programs, FWC will use a Pay-As-Led fee structure. We ask you to consider how much you can comfortably contribute towards this week of service and fun. Housing with be in Quaker Center’s Orchard and Redwood Lodges, and campsites will be available. Meals will be prepared by Tod Nysether.

Questions? Send an email to mail@quakercenter.org or give us a call at (831) 336-8333.

Click here to REgister
FriendQuaker Uncategorized

Advices and Queries for the Second Month*

Spiritual Life

Advices

The life of the spirit gains depth and vigor through devotional practices, prayer, study and meditation. Take time regularly for individual and family worship, discussions. Readings from sacred texts and other spiritual refreshment in order to live a more centered life and to bring a deeper presence to the Meeting for Worship. Friends believe that the spiritual path is best found in community. Create opportunities in your Meetings for people of all ages to explore and express their evolving relationship with the Divine, their spiritual highs and their doubts. If different metaphors and language interfere with communication, listen more deeply, honoring the Spirit in which the thought and words have their beginnings.

Queries

  • Do I live in thankful awareness of God’s constant presence in my life?
  • Am I sensitive and obedient to the leadings of the Holy Spirit?
  • When do I take time for contemplation and spiritual refreshment?
  • What steps am I taking to center my life and to stay open to continuing revelation?
  • Do we share our spiritual lives with others in the Meeting, seeking to know one another in that which is eternal?
  • Does the Meeting provide religious education including study of the Bible and Friends’ history and practices?

*from Pacific Yearly Meeting Faith and practice (2001), 48