"...an AMAZING place..." - Conference Services at Pendle Hill

Why did 91 organizations choose to come to Pendle Hill for their events in 2010-2011? What was it like staying at Pendle Hill during a hurricane? Here’s what Conference Services guests say about us....

Pendle Hill is always our first choice for our overnight programs.
Irene McHenry, Executive Director, Friends Council on Education

Not only was the food at Pendle Hill delicious, it was organic, fair trade and local – I mean really local – like from the on-site garden!... I left the experience thinking how much Pendle Hill could share with peer camps, retreat centers, and conference centers about how they do sustainable and ethical food.
Shantha Ready Alonso, National Council of Churches

We were just “blown away” by your warm hospitality, your devotion to service, your kindness and generosity…. It does not get better than Pendle Hill, not on planet earth anyhow!
Esther Mechler, on behalf of Marian’s Dream, an animal advocacy organization whose 26 state leaders experienced Hurricane Irene at Pendle Hill

We felt the sense of radical hospitality as a true ministry like no other retreat center that we have been at in the last 9 years.
Wendie Bernstein Lash, Yedidya Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction

During 2010-2011, Pendle Hill welcomed 16 different Quaker organizations for a total of 46 events, and 75 additional organizations with a variety of missions for a total of 92 events. Altogether more than 2500 people experienced Pendle Hill through Conference Services events. Why did they come, and what do they value? The groups cite many different factors. Among the most common are the hospitality, setting, food, Quaker worship and spirituality, and convenience.

Hospitality

For Esther Mechler of Marian’s Dream, Pendle Hill “was always a symbol of peace and tranquility.” However, when the group came back this past August and stayed at the Brinton House Conference Center, Hurricane Irene hit, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and downed trees, including one that blocked the long driveway up to Brinton House. Nonetheless, Esther says “Once again everyone loved it. We thank you for making us feel not only welcome but safe and secure in a hurricane that displaced thousands. Even in the high winds, you brought our breakfast over to Brinton House [through the wood, since the driveway was blocked]. You offered to bring us all under one roof. You brought flashlights. We could not have felt safer or more cared for. We will never forget that weekend.”

While many groups that come to Pendle Hill are located in the eastern United States, some come from a distance. Wendie Bernstein Lash of the Yedidya Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction brought the Morei Derekh Jewish Spiritual Direction Training Program to Pendle Hill after “searching for an east coast retreat center for years” and not finding one that met their needs. She says “The contemplative container that is created at Pendle Hill is perfect for the learning and experience that we are trying to foster in our student trainees. We were greeted with such hospitality from the moment we arrived. We felt the sense of radical hospitality as a true ministry like no other retreat center that we have been at in the last 9 years. We felt the perfect balance between being welcome into your community and given the space to create and foster our own community.”

Setting

When National Council of Churches staff came to Pendle Hill for a retreat in August, they met in Waysmeet, an “intimate parlor setting which created a casual and creative environment for us.” Shantha Ready Alonso found that their two days at Pendle Hill gave them “the opportunity to community-build and think outside the box about how to confront our organization's challenges.”

Larger groups may meet in Upmeads or Brinton House. The purpose of Marian’s Dream’s most recent stay was to “empower the leaders of each state program” with regard to strategic planning, sustainability, and more. Esther notes that “the setting was utterly peaceful and conducive to this meeting ….Our attendees were comfortable and able to focus on the work.”

The Penn Program for Mindfulness has come to Pendle Hill twice a year since 2007 for intensive 5-day meditation retreats. Program Manager Mara Wai finds that “Pendle Hill has the perfect atmosphere for our group and its purpose,” which is “to reduce the suffering of individuals, particularly individuals at risk of stress-related illness, by teaching them mindfulness meditation practices.” Participants have discovered that “the grounds are peaceful and inviting,” and “the Conlon room is a perfect space for meditation…”

The grounds draw many people in. Esther Mechler says of one program participant: “We had an animal control officer in the group from Alabama who just wandered the grounds before breakfast, entranced with the feeling he got from the trees and the beauty of the grounds.”

Food

Shantha Ready Alonso of the National Council of Churches was so impressed with Pendle Hill’s “organic, fair trade, and local” food that she wrote a blog about it! Many groups rate the food “delicious.” Mara Wai of the Penn Program for Mindfulness says “the meals are freshly cooked and the staff does its best to accommodate the wide variety of palates….” Irene McHenry of Friends Council on Education (FCE) notes that participants frequently request a Pendle Hill cookbook, something which hasn’t yet been created.

Quaker worship and spirituality

For Friends Council on Education, the opportunity for program participants to live and worship in a Quaker community is “invaluable,” says Irene McHenry. For some of the educators who take part in FCE programs, their time at Pendle Hill is their first “real” meeting for worship without their students. They value the “retreat atmosphere” away from their day-to-day work.

Shantha Ready Alonso of the National Council of Churches also is grateful for spiritual life at Pendle Hill: “The spirituality and hospitality of the staff, the invitation to join with the Pendle Hill community in silent morning prayer, and being surrounded by opportunities to engage with God's Creation through walking paths, the labyrinth, and the garden, made the time there really special.”

“Spiritual positiveness” is cited by Esther Mechler. Marian’s Dream currently focuses its work on supporting spay/neuter efforts to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs. Esther has found that, “Many people discount our work because they perceive animals as inferior and unworthy of our concern,” but this hasn’t happened at Pendle Hill. “We felt the peace and compassion from the start – we were warmly welcomed, and many of us felt truly affirmed in our mission.”

Convenience

As with many groups, the Penn Program for Mindfulness cites Pendle Hill’s location, which, because of its setting within the greater Philadelphia region, “accommodates people who can reside on the grounds during our retreats, and also commuting participants.” Proximity to the airport, train, and major highways help make Pendle Hill easy to reach.

Over and over again groups praise Pendle Hill’s staff and the service they provide. Says Mara Wai of the Penn Program for Mindfulness: “We have a great amount of appreciation and gratitude for all of the Pendle Hill Staff that help make our stay so warm and inviting.”

To explore the possibility of holding an event at Pendle Hill, visit Conference Services or contact Mary Comfort Ferrell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 610-566-4507, ext. 142.