FAQs for Quaker Women in Public Ministry Gathering

Transcription

1 FAQs for Quaker Women in Public Ministry Gathering What is the purpose of the Quaker Women in Public Ministry gathering? The Vision: There is one Spirit which moves among us, which can be recognized by its consistency, its effect, and the hungers it both inspires and satisfies. Because Friends believe all are called to respond to the glimpse each is given of the Holy Intention for the world, it is sometimes overlooked that there is also a particularity of callings. All are called, but not everyone is called to every task. The event scheduled for October 21-23, 2016 aspires to witness to the particularity of callings laid upon the hearts of Quaker Women in Public Ministry by providing a venue for Spirit to knit together a blessed community of connection, support, mentoring, restoration, and passion. The Event: We intend a semi- programmed event, including times of worship and worship sharing as well as multiple, participant- led offerings. The specific themes and leaders for these offerings will be gathered from participants at the event. To give us the greatest glimpse of the Sprit s outpouring, we hope to gather a diverse group of women and ministries, including diversities of theology, geography, ministry audience, age, race and sexuality. We have limits on available space, so the process for registration seeks to hold the door open for diversity and breadth in participation. Attendees should be Quaker Women currently active in Public Ministry. When is it? Friday, October 21, 2016 at 5:00 PM - Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 1:30 PM (Eastern) Where is it? Rolling Ridge Retreat Center, 660 Great Pond Rd, North Andover, MA How do I register? 1) Please complete the on- line application 2) Send your check or money order, payable to CPMM, mailed to Viv Hawkins, 440 W Sedgwick St A106, Philadelphia, PA Registration is considered complete on completion of both the on- line application and receipt of payment. What is the registration fee and what does it include? Generous grants from New England Yearly Meeting Legacy Fund, Obadiah Brown Fund, and a few individuals allow us to offer a pay- as- you- can sliding scale of $

2 We have space to house 30 people at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in shared rooms with all meals included from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Home hospitality options will be provided for up to an additional 10 people with lunch and dinner provided at Rolling Ridge. A nearby Holiday Inn Express (Lawrence, MA) has discounted rooms available for Rolling Ridge affiliates, including continental breakfast at the hotel. If you choose to stay in a hotel, you are responsible to reserve and pay for that accommodation yourself with the Holiday Inn Express. The event registration will cover lunch and dinner provided at Rolling Ridge. Is there a limit to the number of participants? The main meeting room will hold 45 people comfortably so that is our maximum number of participants. Applicants will be accepted in the order in which registration is complete including payment and completion of the Google form. Our intention is to seek the diversity mentioned in the Event description above. A waiting list will form, if needed. We will hold the checks for people on the waiting list and only encash them when you move off the waiting list onto the participant list. What is the cancellation policy? Cancellations with 30 days notice will receive full refund minus a $50 processing fee/ family. With less than 30 days notice, your payment will not be refunded, unless we can fill the positions you vacated off of our waiting list. Is my registration transferrable? Your registration is not transferrable. Should you cancel, we will look to fill your spot from a waiting list. Will there be childcare? Childcare will be provided during portions of the weekend. It is our intention to allow QWiPM who are also engaged in the ministry of parenting to participate in this event. If your child has special needs related to health, diet, etc. we ask you to describe those in your registration application. [Jennie needs to procure the childcare provider to fill this in. How to better describe this? Are there any limits on age, health, etc. of children?] What are my transportation options for the event? By private car: Driving directions can be found at 2/getting- here/. There is ample parking onsite. Please indicate on the registration form if you are interested in carpooling (either as a driver or as a passenger).

3 For public transportation: We will arrange to meet you at either the Andover commuter rail train station or the Rt 93/Dascomb Road Park 'n Ride lot in Andover. Here's how you would reach these destinations, depending on your mode of travel: By plane: Rolling Ridge is equidistant from both Logan Airport in Boston and the Manchester NH airport, so check flights to both airports to find your best option. Once you have your flight arrival information, go to to book a FlightLine shuttle to meet you at the terminal building and take you to the Dascomb Rd Park 'n Ride lot. By commuter train: From Boston's North Station, take the Haverhill Line to the Andover station. Schedules are available here: By Amtrak or Greyhound from points south: Trains and busses from the south arrive at Boston's South Station. From here you have two options. You can either take the subway to North Station and board the Haverhill line, or you can book a FlightLine shuttle to meet you at South Station and take you to the Dascomb Rd Park 'n Ride lot. What can/can't I bring to the event? Please bring a journal, materials you may wish to share related to Quaker women in public ministry, comfortable walking shoes for hiking outside, clothing suitable for an evening campfire in October in Massachusetts, and other items you typically take for a weekend retreat. Smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, fireworks, and pets (except certified service dogs) are strictly prohibited from the building or grounds. Candles incense and open flames of any kind are not permitted under per order of the North Andover Fire Department. A $500 fine will be imposed if Rolling Ridge staff discovers any live- flame candle use on the property. Fireplaces are to be used only with permission of Rolling Ridge staff, and a Rolling Ridge staff member must light and attend all fires. When can I check in? You may arrive to Rolling Ridge after 3pm on Friday October 21 and check- in to your room after 5pm. What is the Schedule of the Weekend See Unconference guidelines below for Topic sessions, which are optional.

4 Friday: 3pm earliest possible arrival 4-5:30pm Check- in 6pm dinner 7:30-9pm Opening worship, introductions, and build Topic sessions Saturday: Morning movement options 8:30am Breakfast 9:30-10:30am Worship 10:45-11:30am Topic session A 11:45-12:30pm Topic session B 12:30-1:30pm Lunch 1:30-2:30pm Social time 2:45-3:30pm Topic session C 3:45-4:30pm Topic session D 4:45-5:30pm Topic session E 6pm Dinner 7-9pm Celebration of gifts and worship around campfire weather permitting with worship and celebration of gifts Sunday: Morning movement options 8:30-9:30am Breakfast 9:30-10:30am Integration of learnings 10:45-12:30 Worship and Closing gathering 12:30pm Lunch 1:30pm Departure Can I stay additional time at Rolling Ridge Conference Center? The conference center will have another large group there prior to our arrival on October 21, so no rooms are available the evening of October 20. If you wish to stay Sunday evening, please contact Rolling Ridge at (978) to inquire about booking your additional time and to arrange for payment from your funds. Are there accommodations for special dietary needs? Rolling Ridge would love to be able to cater to everyone s individual palate, but since that is not possible with a group buffet setting, the very best they can do is cater to food allergies. Food preferences are not something that can be addressed when booking a group at Rolling Ridge. If you require vegetarian, vegan, or gluten- free meals, we need to know at least by September 25 to advise Rolling Ridge. If you have a major food allergy, we need to know at least by September 25 to advise Rolling Ridge. If you have a major food allergy from milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans please check- in with the kitchen at mealtime Rolling

5 Ridge staff to tell you what is appropriate for you to dine on from the items that are on the menu. Rolling Ridge is not a gluten- free facility. They are able to purchase gluten- free breads, pastas and grains to use in our preparations. If you have celiac disease you are welcome to bring in your sealed meals that Rolling Ridge staff will happily chill or heat for you. Please stop by the kitchen upon arrival. If I want to share some about some topic at the gathering, how will that work? We will use a hybrid unconference process. People interested to present or invite conversations on particular topics will have time over meals and in specific time slots during the weekend. Here are guidelines for the unconference portion of our agenda: an- unconference/ Can I come for a portion of the gathering? No. Because space is limited and we wish to form a gathered group with an agenda that builds from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, we are not registering or admitting part- time participants. Webpage: Facebook: