Finding Your Way: A Spring Term in Resident Community

An immersive resident student program for those seeking space and community in which to share the daily rhythm of learning, work, and worship.

Reset, reconnect, and rejuvenate on 24 wooded acres outside of Philadelphia. In a moment when the world feels exhausted, fractured, and depleted, Pendle Hill’s Spring Term in Resident Community offers a greenhouse – a protected space to bring ideas, questions, and other “seeds” – to nurture these visions into being. Attend one or both sessions as you’re led.

Curious about this program? Join a free, online info session to learn more!

October 19 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm EDT

For course descriptions, electives, and schedules, download the Program Guide.

Session I: Rest & Discerning,  February 27 – March 20

Are you in a moment of transition or an inflection point in your life? Taking time apart from the multiple crises we are living through, we will rest in the eternal and seek greater clarity about how the Spirit is calling us to live and work. Together we will pause to center down, practice methods of spiritual discernment, and support each other in being attentive to guidance that comes both from within and without. We will cultivate skills for deep listening, including attention to our dreams, as well as Quaker practices of discernment, such as the clearness committee and faithfulness groups.

In the classroom, we will sift through our various motivations and identify those that are divinely inspired, using journal writing and sharing with others in pairs and small groups, and informally with the wider community. Experiential exercises will help us hone our skills in helping each other toward greater clarity and faithfulness. During the three-week course, each person will have the opportunity to be the focus of a faithfulness group session as well as participate in supporting others, helping all of us to go forward with renewed clarity and courage.

The classroom time will be supported and complemented by Pendle Hill’s rhythms of communal worship, meals, and learning, as well as opportunities for guided and individual creative exploration in the art studio, mindful work supporting the campus and collective practices of rest and reflection.  Pendle Hill also pairs each Spring Term student with a spiritual nurturer – a staff member, scholar, or Friend-in-Residence to accompany them and provide support for reflection and support on their spiritual journey at Pendle Hill.

Session II: Practice in Community, March 21 – April 17

Participate in Pendle Hill’s traditional rhythm of worship, learning, work, and rest in community, with opportunities to register for afternoon classes and to practice supported individual discernment in small faithfulness groups.

As in Session I, the classroom time will be supported and complemented by Pendle Hill’s rhythms of communal worship, meals, and learning, as well as opportunities for guided and individual creative exploration in the art studio, mindful work supporting the campus and collective practices of rest and reflection.  Pendle Hill also pairs each Spring Term student with a spiritual nurturer – a staff member, scholar, or Friend-in-Residence to accompany them and provide support for reflection and support on their spiritual journey at Pendle Hill.