Workshops and Reflection Groups at Sessions
Workshops and Reflection Groups will be offered as part of Annual Sessions happening August 2–7, 2024. Our 90-minute workshop and Reflection Group offerings provide an opportunity for Friends to explore their Quaker faith and make meaningful connections.
Reflection Groups are facilitated worship sharing opportunities gathering Friends around a shared theme, topic, or experience (e.g. "Parents of younger children").
The format for these opportunities varies. Some are on-campus at Castleton and some will be offered online via Zoom.
Criteria for workshops and Reflection Groups:
We look for workshops and Reflection Groups which:
- Support Friends in their pursuit of faithfulness
- Connect Friends more deeply with the Quaker faith and Quaker movement
- Impact daily life after the gathering
- Create spaces that can’t be easily created in local meetings (the opportunity should be something that it makes sense to have with a smattering of Quakers from different meetings engaging in on a single occasion)
- Clarify “who” the opportunity is for
- Are facilitated by people able to connect with and respond to the needs of participants; facilitators should be aware of learning needs (for example: visual learners) and potential group dynamics (for example: different backgrounds of participants)
- Offer participants a way to meaningfully connect with each other (meaning: let people talk to each other or do things—don’t just talk at them!)
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Encourage leadership development (for example, are co-led by a newer leader and more experienced facilitator; are a space for building leadership capacity of individuals or meetings)
- Are interactive, experiential, and/or hands-on (not merely presentations with a Q&A)
- Are a rare opportunity or won’t be available at other times
- Help us provide a balance of topics --not offering multiple opportunities on the same topics
Submit a Proposal
Proposals were accepted May 3–June 15th. Limited proposals will be considered as capacity allows. To inquire about submitting a late proposal for consideration email Program Director Nia Thomas.