Weathering the Storm: A Contemplative Retreat in the Manner of Friends
October 24 @ 12:00 pm – October 26 @ 12:00 pm
Join us for Weathering the Storm: A Contemplative Retreat in the Manner of Friends, October 24-26, 2025, at the Avila Center for Community Leadership in Durham, North Carolina. Together we will reflect upon the storms that we are now encountering, whether in our nation, community, or as individuals. Who might we become through the storm? What may be lost? Gained? In what ways have we been faithful within the storm?
All are welcome. Participants from varying spiritual backgrounds will experience the distinctly Quaker manner of contemplation in community. There will be opportunities for both solitude and for sharing. We will have silent time for prayer and reflection, walks among the trees, and contemplative interaction with scripture, as well as worship together and sharing out of the silence. Participants may, if they wish, meet one-on-one with a retreat leader.
Our retreat leaders are April Allison of Durham Friends Meeting in North Carolina, Maryann Concannon of Red Cedar Friends in Lansing, Michigan, and Scott Wagoner of High Point Friends Meeting in North Carolina. This retreat is co-sponsored by Peace Hill at Avila and the School of the Spirit.
The retreat begins with lunch at noon Friday and concludes after morning worship on Sunday. The registration fee of $560 will cover lodging, meals, and program. Scholarships are available for those with financial need. If you have questions, email info@schoolofthespirit.org.
April Allison
April Allison is a member of Durham Friends Meeting (North Carolina), a spiritual director, board member of Peace Hill at Avila, and an experienced retreat leader. She has led contemplative retreats under the care of the School of the Spirit in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina since 2012.
Scott Wagoner
Scott presently serves on the Board of the School of the Spirit and is the pastoral minister at High Point Friends Meeting in High Point, North Carolina. He has served as Quaker pastor for over thirty years and has been involved with both programmed and unprogrammed Friends. He has received training from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in contemplative practice and leading groups/retreats and regularly offers guidance in contemplative practice.
Maryann Concannon
Maryann Concannon (Red Cedar Meeting, Lansing, Michigan, Lake Erie Yearly Meeting) is a graduate of The School of the Spirit program, Participating in God’s power. She enjoys crocheting and knitting. She lives with her rescue dog, Evie.
Schedule
The retreat will begin with lunch on Friday, 10/24, and end after morning worship on Sunday, 10/26.
A detailed schedule will be sent in advance by the retreat leaders.
Flexible Fees
The full cost of attendance is $560.
Our intention with Contemplative Retreats is to break even. Because retreat center costs have gone up, we have had to increase the cost of the retreat. We recognize that this cost may be prohibitive for some attendees, and assistance is available! Please reach out to us about scholarships at info@schoolofthespirit.org.
Registration
Please register early, as you are led.
Registration is in TWO steps.
STEP 1: Please fill out the registration form. The form will ask for your personal information, your room and dietary preferences, and how you will pay. At the time of registration, you will pay either the full cost of $560.00, or the minimum payment of $75.00 and indicate that you would like to receive a scholarship form.
STEP 2: Instructions as to how to pay will appear on your Confirmation Page. Paying online will take you to PayPal where you can pay via credit card. You do NOT need a PayPal account to do this. If you will be making multiple payments, please reach out to us at info@schoolofthespirit.org to set up a payment plan.
Alternatively you can send a check made out to the School of the Spirit Ministry, for the amount in the table. Mail your check to: The School of the Spirit Ministry, c/o 4 Long Shoals Rd. Ste. B484 Arden, NC 28704.
Keep an eye out for an email from us with any further instructions.
Cancellation Policy
30 days or more prior to the event, full refund less $30 processing fee. 14-29 days prior to the event, 50% refund. Less than 15 days, no refund.
