Richmond (VA) Friends Meeting

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Meetinghouse from Kensington Avenue

Spring Retreat Updates

by | May 27, 2022 | Announcement

For those who are coming to Spring Retreat, we have a number of updates for you.  Please read carefully!  We will also have this information available at The Clearing when you arrive.

FIRST - Please be aware that VDH has now moved Richmond and surrounding counties into the high risk category for COVID-19.  We are continuing with Spring Retreat, but we will be requiring masks while inside the Lodge, and we also ask that Friends follow social distancing practices.  We will post signs to help everyone remember.  Thankyou for helping us all to stay safe and enjoy this gathering.

It looks like rainy weather today, so be prepared, but for tomorrow, it's looking like the rain will clear out, and it will be around 80 F. If your participation in the weekend changes, please contact a committee member (contacts below) with an update, via phone call or text. We won't be able to check email after about 2:00 pm today. Thanks!If you have questions, please reach out!All our best,Ted Heck, Genevieve Oei, Heidi Rugg, Katy RuggSpring Retreat Committee Members
Have a last minute question or change in plans? Please reach out to one of the following:Sam Rugg 804-539-6552 (mobile phone, text or call)Heidi Rugg 804-334-4338 (mobile phone, text or call)Ted Heck 804-726-1056 (mobile phone, text or call)Website for the Clearing: https://testsite.richmondfriends.org/theclearing/Address for the Clearing: 14006 Genito Rd, Amelia Court House, VA 23002
THINGS TO BRING:General:Weather-appropriate attireA board game or card game (optional)Bug repellantSunscreenA hatComfortable chair (nice, but optional)If camping or staying overnight:FlashlightTowelsBathing Suit (optional)Flip flops/shower shoes (optional)ToiletriesJacket/layersSleeping bag, blankets, pillowCamping gear if you plan to use a tent site
THE SCHEDULE (Group events will take place outdoors or in high-ventilation areas; indoor masking will keep our community safer. Thanks!)Friday:4pm: Earliest arrival time; check out a tent site/secure cabin accommodations5:30-6:30 DIY Dinner; soup and rolls available to all6:30 Clean up/Sign up for Chores!7pm Board Games9pm Dessert/Coffee/ConversationSaturday:7-9:30am Breakfast/Coffee/Conversation9am Sign up for chores!9:30am Cleanup10am - 12pm Council of All Beings12pm Lunch Prep12:30 LUNCH1-2pm Lunch Cleanup2pm Sign up for Chores!2-4pm Games! / Mary Burruss to lead Yoga! / Playing in the Sprinkler!4pm Watermelon Break4:30 - 6pm Dinner Prep6pm DINNER7pm Clean-up; Fire Prep8-10pm Fire Circle, Singing, and S’MORES!Sunday: 7-9:30am Breakfast/Coffee/Conversation (continued on next page)9:30am -10:30 Strike/Cleanup 10:30am-11:30am Meeting for Worship11:30am Cleaning12:30 LEFTOVER FEST! LUNCH1pm Final Cleaning3pm Go home 🙂
MENUFriday evening: Soup, rolls, cheese, and crackers (gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options will be available)Friday dessert: Cookies, coffee, tea (gluten free options available)Breakfast (Saturday/Sunday): Eggs, cereal, oatmeal packets, bananas, apples, oranges, yogurt, granola, toast (gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options will be available)Saturday Lunch: Soup, sandwich fixings (turkey, ham, cheese, hummus, PBJ), veggies, chips, pretzels, fruit, lemonade (gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options will be available)Snack: WatermelonDinner (once): Tacos (refried beans and/or ground turkey taco meat available), sweet potatoes, green salad, salsa, guacamole (gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options will be available)Fire Circle: S’mores (gluten free/vegan options will be available)Sunday Lunch: Leftover Fest!

2021 (Mostly) Virtual Spring Retreat for Memorial Day Weekend

by | Apr 20, 2021 | Announcement

Richmond Friends Meeting’s Spring Retreat Committee is pleased to announce we will be having an intergenerational retreat over Memorial Day weekend!  Most of the retreat will be held virtually via Zoom, but we will have an in-person, safely distanced component as well.

Mark your calendars for May 28-29. We will explore the chosen theme of Come What May.  It’s been quite a year.  The world has changed in so many ways.  How are we adapting?  At the least, we continue to build and celebrate our community, and find the rejuvenation that will support and sustain us as we move forward.

See below for the (tentative) schedule, and then register for the RFM Spring Retreat by following this link: http://bit.ly/RFMRetreat2021. There is a modest fee for registration. Your registration will make it possible for us to ensure that the final schedule and links to join the event are sent to you. Don’t let financial limitations prevent you and your family from attending! Scholarships are available; just indicate that you’d like one on the registration form. Any questions, contact Ted Heck at ted.heck@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-726-1056.

Tentative Spring Retreat Schedule:

May 22-23 – Informal Camping at The Clearing.  According to current guidelines, there will be no use of the Lodge or sleeping cabins.  Bring your own food and camping gear; cooking only available over a fire at the Pavilion, the Worship Circle, or a camping stove.  Use of the Pavilion is OK, along with privies, and all outdoor spaces.  Campers can join Meeting for Worship at the Clearing Worship Circle on Sunday, May 23.

May 28-29 – Programed activities for Spring Retreat (all via Zoom)

7:30 pm: Friday Night Variety Show

·         Barefoot Puppets – Toy Theatre

·         Jesse Joiner – Juggling

·         Possible other acts TBA

10:00 am – 11:30 am: Saturday Morning Speaker – Mary Burruss, Finding Resilience Through Acceptance

2:00 – 2:45 pm: Laughing Yoga with Mary Burruss

4:00 – 5:00 pm: Tea Time with Katy Rugg – A little talk and demonstration at the beginning and then breakout zoom rooms for small group social time.7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Performance with Jon Watts--