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FROM THE CENTER An occasional newsletter from the Ben Lomond Quaker Center vol.5 no.2 Fall, 2001 |
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Volunteers at Quaker Center "You learn a lot, you love a lot & you come away with a lot! " Contents About this issue? We hope you enjoy their stories?. The tree of my heart - M. N. A Decade of Volunteering: by Samara Rivett Once our youngest volunteer, Tesla first came to QC for a Workcamp at age 7. Since then she's been a camper (6 years), and a camp counselor (2 years). She recently returned to Workcamp again -- this time on her own, thanks to her new drivers' licence. Samara, our intern, interviews her. What's your earliest memory of coming to QC? What do you feel is the role that QC plays in your life? What do you feel that you get out of coming to QC? And what were your reasons for coming to Workcamp this year? You've also been a camper at Quaker Camp and, later, a camp counselor. What do you feel you received from being a camper -- in general? And what helped you become a camp counselor? Looking back now over the years, how do you feel that your experience has helped and strengthened you? Were there any surprises, or skills you learned/experiences that you had that you didn't know you would enjoy or become good at? Tesla got over her fear of chainsaws at QC. Though she was, in her words, 'pretty scared' of them, at Senior Camp she did it anyway. But the relationships she?s made are the most important thing to her. What would you say to other young people who may be thinking of coming to QC? You learn a lot, you love a lot, and you come away with a lot! Back to top " I looked down at the water running deep in the canyon. I tucked the things I was carrying into my pockets and waistband because I would need both hands to hold on to the ropes of the wood plank bridge as it swayed with each step I took. I began to cross. . . and suddenly, the walkway was floating on the water, and the bridge no longer reached the other side. Someone was swimming purposefully, pulling the leading edge of the lashed-together planks toward the other shore. The frightening distance I had perceived to the bottom of the canyon had disappeared, the bridge had become a raft, and a stranger was helping me to reach my destination." I had this dream the night in 1999 when Jim Knickerbocker, a Center Board member and a member of my San Francisco Meeting, strongly encouraged me to lead a Quaker Center program in the upcoming year. I had led programs on meeting for worship, on the Bible, and on spiritual friendships for our Meeting and other Quaker groups, but I had never taught anything lasting longer than three hours in a day. I was intimidated by the enormity of an entire weekend, but Jim clearly sensed the rightness of his suggestion . . . When I began to consider what I might be able to offer, the distance between me and leading a weekend program seemed very wide. And yet, at each challenging turn in the road, someone came forward to help bridge the gap. Bruce Folsom, another member of my Meeting and an elder in support of my ministry, provided 'restraining' guidance, cautioning against tackling too large and too new a subject. Walter Hjelt Sullivan, Quaker Center Co-director, suggested inviting others to lead contrasting activities of music, dance and touch, to balance my more verbal teaching style. Jim Knickerbocker led me through a helpful process providing guidance for my design of specific exercises. Karen Neumeyer, also from my Meeting, came forward as my elder - providing practical and prayerful support during both my drive to Quaker Center and the weekend itself. With each of these friends beside me, my confidence in leading the program grew. Finally, the first weekend in June 2001, 16 people gathered at Quaker Center for "Seeking Inspiration and Communion: Spiritual Friends and Mentors. " The work of the weekend felt blessed. Once again, what seemed like obstacles fell away. Low attendance had threatened a cancellation, but enough people did sign up. I had expected to feel stage fright, but did not. I had worried that certain assigned 'pairs' would not work out, but they did. Last minute changes by some of the resource people and an early departure occurred, but we adapted fairly smoothly to the unexpected. I had come to the weekend tired and distressed about some personal problems, but I was able to retain my focus anyway. I felt that I really was doing the work of the Spirit. The program did seem to speak to the needs of the participants. The frightening distance had indeed disappeared, and many were the people who had pulled together helping me to reach my destination. Bookkeeping & Bedlinens: by Vanessa Dover I first moved to the US from Britain in fall 1999. I'd heard of Ben Lomond before that though -- news of good things travels fast! I was keen to get involved in some voluntary work, to use my skills but also to start meeting people and making contacts. Having attended the Quarterly Meeting at John Woolman School, I was invited by Walter to spend a day at Quaker Center. I was, of course, captivated by the beauty of the place, as well as by the spiritual depth of Quaker Center's mission. By the end of the day, I had duly signed up to do office work one day a week or so. I started with the bookkeeping. This work provided a fascinating insight into the work of Quaker Center. I saw who was renting the property, learnt about each of the programs and found out where the money comes from and goes to. In those first few months I dealt with the donations from the fall fundraising campaign and I was impressed to see what a solid base of support Quaker Center had. Most fascinating were the little notes that people attached to their donations, saying how much they had enjoyed a certain program, or staying in the Sojourners' Cottage. Some just said, 'Keep up the good work.' Although I spent many days bookkeeping, I also made beds, folded linens, and stuffed envelopes. I particularly enjoyed working with a small friendly team and meeting the numerous fascinating visitors to Quaker Center. The welcome I received at Quaker Center and the satisfaction I gained from this work, led me to volunteer as staff for the teen Service Camp in 2000 and 2001. I was able to bring some ideas from Quaker camp in the UK, as well as learning a lot from this intense and exhausting week of fun, service and community. In late 1999 I found another way to learn more about Quaker Center -- I joined the Board and Finance Committee. Volunteering at Quaker Center has given me an opportunity for spiritual growth through service. I frequently find myself answering questions from non-Quakers about Quaker Center or Quakerism, and this has helped me challenge my own ideas and beliefs. In particular I have learnt that there are some interesting differences between my own British Quaker traditions and those of the West Coast of the USA. I still find the drive up from Highway 9 a huge excitement, as I know I am going some place where I will be refreshed, even whilst I deal with bookkeeping or bed linens! QC News At its September Board Meeting, Quaker Center made the difficult decision not to begin construction this fall on the remodel of the Redwood Lodge. Modifications required by the county to address earthquake safety and commercial kitchen codes have significantly increased the scope and inflated the cost of the proposed project. While the Board had identified $215,000 from various sources (including $84,000 from the recent capital campaign) for the new building, final bids from local contractors brought the projected cost to about $340,000. As a result of this decision, groups using the Redwood Lodge in 2002 - including our Quaker camps - will find the old familiar kitchen and dining room still there. The Redwood Lodge improvements remain a priority. The Board is committed to exploring a variety of re-modeling options, as well as additional fundraising. It will look at how to proceed at the annual Board retreat in January. We'll stay in touch. Summer rain dreamer awakens Gentle deer looks up, Abstaining winds Damp smell of rain The Orchard: by Samara Rivett It was George Heaton, of Palo Alto Friends Meeting, who put the markers and labels on the trees in the old orchard here, which are still bearing fruit: persimmons, quinces, apples, pears, oranges, apricots, and lemons. He shares his story about his leading to prune the orchard at Quaker Center. "Each year we made a practice of coming to the Year End Retreat, and I felt a leading, and so I've been pruning it for four to five years," he says. George believes it once was a commercial orchard, and sees that the trees are now not in very good shape. "Some are getting very old and beyond hope," he observes. During the one week of the Year End Retreat he can do a reasonable amount of caring and pruning, but it really could do with more hands. He let the pruning go in one place, on one apple tree. You will see a little tree growing out of it "because trees like to make trees." As growing healthy trees and fruit is what we want, all the trees need regular pruning. This takes place once a year when they are dormant, so winter is the ideal time to prune. Usually George invites interested people to help when he is here, and they both help and learn in the process. He, himself, was never taught how to prune. It was something he just 'acquired', as he used to observe his father doing the pruning. He had learnt how to prune apple trees in England, but some of the trees are new to him, including the apricot, so he is still learning, also. His favorite tree? The quince, a low tree out on the side of the Orchard Lodge. And the reason? His mother used to make quince jelly every year?. Tree Poems found in a pear tree? The three "Tree Poems" in this issue were found in the small orchard pear tree recently. You might have seen them, too, in passing. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. . . Two were written at the "Woman, Spirit, Nature" writing retreat led by Monza Naff this year. She will be holding another retreat next summer. "Tree Poem One" is by Monza, and "Tree Poem Two" is a work in progress by Tera Tripp Treadaway. Thanks also to songwriter Betsy Rose for letting us include "Tree Poem Three", which is an excerpt from her beautiful song: "Carry It Home". MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERING AT BEN LOMOND In this overview, one of our mid-week volunteers this year, Carl Anderson, contributes useful advice and information to would-be volunteers. THE NEED WHAT YOU WILL DO HOW MUCH WORK YOU NEED TO DO DO YOU HAVE TO DRIVE THERE? MID -WEEK VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Quaker Center is pleased to be able to offer basic overnight accommodation (Sun-Wed nights) to volunteers able to offer 4 or more hours a day of service. Volunteer time does need to fit in with the QC Calendar. For overnight stays, both sleeping space and use of a kitchen can be arranged. You will need to provide your own food. For more information about these opportunities, please call us. The mid-week opportunities include: ·Outdoors maintenance - clearing paths, chopping wood, pruning, etc. ·Indoor upkeep - spring cleaning, etc. ·Office tasks - sending out mailings, etc. OTHER QC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES · Annual Community Workcamp -- Aug 26-Sep 2 Farewell to Katie Thorsos, our last intern, and a great big thank you for all your help and for leaving us the lasting legacy of 'The Water Manual.' It makes life so much easier when we are testing the water quality, and gives a newcomer clear steps to follow. Katie is now participating in the Quest Volunteer program sponsored by the University Friends Meeting, Seattle WA. She works in a long-term residential program for the homeless, and is living in a house with other full-time volunteers. We also welcome the newest member of the staff, Samara Rivett, who comes to us from Australia with considerable work experience and has devoted many hours to making this newsletter possible. Thanks Samara. She is enjoying the opportunity of serving and learning at Quaker Center, as she has a special interest in supporting people through spiritual and life transitions, as well as in providing an environment to support that. Samara also has interests in social change and community building, social justice, indigenous issues, permaculture, writing, and expressive arts. Carry it home to your children Carry it light on your shoulder - excerpt from a song Our small library in the Office building has recently acquired the following books which focus on our local area and environment. Come take a look at them next time you are here: ·Plants of the Redwood Forest...Lyons and Cuneo-Lazaneo Our thanks to those who gave generous donations of Pendle Hill pamphlets. (We have plenty now!) Due to limited library space, QC is not accepting further donations of books at this time. Instead, we are developing a list of the books that we would like to have donated. Look for this list in future newsletters. To everyone who volunteers at Quaker Center: you make so much difference to our lives. A special thank you to all contributors and volunteers who helped with this issue of the newsletter. Without you these newsletters would definitely not be nearly as interesting... and would probably not be possible! Thank you also to the generous contributors whose articles we couldn't include. |
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