by WebPost | Mar 16, 2026 | Activity, Clearing, Spring Retreat
Friends of all ages are invited to our Spring Retreat on May 22-24 at The Clearing. Come for the whole weekend or just part of it! Camping and rustic indoor accommodations are available, and meals will be provided with a variety of dietary needs and preferences in mind. Learn more about The Clearing here: https://staging.richmondfriends.org/theclearing/
This year’s theme is “Opening to Joy.” The retreat will be interactive and will spring from the ideas and gifts of our community—so you can look forward to deep conversations, creative experiences, and plenty of play. And you won’t want to miss the epic talent show hosted by the Willow Working Group!
This is an intergenerational gathering, and families and children are warmly welcome. We hope to fan the flames of community connection as we share what brings us joy—whether through conversation, artmaking, or time together outdoors.
More details coming soon; please stay tuned. Please help us plan for your participation and register early, by Sunday, May 17! This online form makes it easy to register: https://bit.ly/RFMRetreat2026 . Also, please note, there is NO COST to attend Spring Retreat.
Questions? Contact Ted Heck at 804-726-1056 (call or text).
by WebPost | May 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
Spring Retreat!
On Sunday, May 25th at Kensington - There will be Nursery care and an all ages group here at the Meeting house for those families not planning to attend the Spring Retreat at The Clearing.
Detailed information regarding activities at Spring Retreat are in the May email to parents and caregivers. Sunday morning, at the Clearing, following 15 minutes of intergenerational silent worship, children will split into two age groups. RE has planned activities planned for Saturday morning and the retreat committee has intergenerational activities planned for Saturday afternoon.
We are grateful to share this space and find joy, healing, and worship for whatever amount of time you can. As always, thank you to everyone who has signed up to help both with the Spring Retreat & the children’s programming there. It truly is a community effort.
by WebPost | Mar 18, 2025 | Activity, Clearing, Spring Retreat
Friends of all ages are invited to our Spring Retreat on May 23 – 25 at The Clearing. Friends are welcome to come for all or part of the weekend. Camping and rustic accommodations are available. Meals are provided that accommodate a variety of dietary needs and preferences. Learn more about The Clearing at https://staging.richmondfriends.org/theclearing/.
Our theme this year is The Friendly Frolic: Creative Spirit, Dancing Feet, Quaker Arts & Soul Retreat, with (in case you can’t tell) a focus on community and fun! Activities are still being confirmed, but will include community-building and getting-to-know-you exercises, singing together, arts and crafts, and dancing, maybe even with a band! There will, of course, be a fabulous menu to tantalize your taste buds and your sense of smell! More details are coming soon; please stay tuned. Please help us plan for your participation and register early, by Sunday, May 18! This online form makes it easy to register: https://bit.ly/RFMRetreat2025. Also, please note, there is NO COST to attend Spring Retreat.
See below for a DRAFT schedule and a suggested list of things to bring to the Retreat.
Anyone with questions is welcome to reach out to Ted Heck by call or text.
by WebPost | 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://staging.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!
by WebPost | 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--