Tom Lomas and Nancy Lomas-Bassuk
Tom Lomas and Nancy Lomas-Bassuk are retirees from Florida. Nancy was at Pendle Hill in the 1970s with her children. Tom is a Vietnam veteran who has since been active in prison ministry, the anti-war movement and writing. They came as resident students for the full year 2005-6. Each of them describes their experience at Pendle Hill. Tom's website is http://40days2freedom.org
Tom: "I rise each morning about 4:00 and prepare for writing through prayer, Qi Gong and my forty day [personal healing] process. I then immerse in inspired writing for an hour followed by personal chores. Following breakfast there is Meeting for Worship, class, editing or other ministry work. After lunch I normally ride my bicycle indoors or outdoors for an hour. I also swim when the Swarthmore College pool is available. Nancy and I close each day with sitting Qi Gong.
Inspired writing and meditation have been my most enjoyable and enriching experiences here, followed by class participation and community involvement. I have enjoyed learning about the roots of Quakerism and also the experiences and opinions of others regarding prayer and the Bible.
My relationship with God has grown as He has blessed me with much guidance for my time here and for the remainder of my life. Specifically, God has revealed the link between Quakerism and my ministry of freeing enslaved souls. Thank you, Father."
Nancy: "Meeting for Worship lends a spirit-filled beginning to my day. The morning is often devoted to class and in the afternoon there is ample free time for reading, study, contemplation and solitude. Interspersed through the day are opportunities to partake of community life through small groups, communal meal times and the sharing of chores.
At Pendle Hill I am enjoying the spiritual depth of the classes, daily Meeting for Worship and the community life in general. Of particular value has been the opportunity to learn from students of other cultures and ethnic groups.
Opportunities for learning at Pendle Hill are rich and varied. The courses seem, in almost a magical way, to foster the unfolding of the spirit. Courses enable students to explore topics in a manner personally meaningful to them. Much informal learning takes place through casual conversations in the dining room.
I would say that my year at Pendle Hill has been the richest growth experience of my life."
