To sustain intimacy over the years, partners must face together times of change and transition. The ability to share deeply the mix of emotions of life’s seasons — joys, fears, hopes, sadness — ultimately deepens our committed relationships. Whether you are just beginning as a couple or have been together for many moons, whether your partnership is a mixed- or a same-gendered one, bring your beloved and join us as we explore the practices and skills involved in nurturing our relationships. For more of an introduction, watch the Friends Couple Enrichment QuakerSpeak video online. Click to view the weekend schedule.

Mike and Marsha recently gave our First Monday Lecture entitled “A Celebration of Disciplined Listening: Learnings from Couple Enrichment at Home and in the Meeting.” You can view the video here.

Leader(s)

Long-time Friends Mike and Marsha Green have been leading retreats for families and couples since the early 1990s. They currently reside in a generational bubble – children launched, no grandchildren, parents released to whatever lies beyond. For many years, Mike served as a core teacher with the School of the Spirit Ministry and Marsha served on the boards of Friends Journal and Carolina Friends School. While Resident Friends in Auckland, NZ, they travelled extensively in the ministry. Married for 38 years, they are members of Durham (NC) Friends Meeting.

Kathy and Jeff Richman first met in 1978 and have been married 38 years. Kathy has been a Friend since birth, and Jeff began attending Meeting thirty years ago.  They are members of Live Oak Friends Meeting in Salinas, CA and board members of Ben Lomond Quaker Center. For many years, Kathy worked as an elementary school teacher and Jeff worked as a registered school nurse. They share an active retirement filled with hiking, music, adult children, and grandchildren.

Annie Lange and Sal Backofen have been a couple for over 16 years. Sal joined Annie to help raise six kids, five of whom are adopted. They are happy to report all their children are launched and doing well. It has been a wild ride! In 2015, for Valentine’s day, they gifted each other to a Couples Enrichment weekend. That same year, they participated in the Friends Couples Enrichment Leadership Training and have participated with the organization ever since. They have been part of a Growth Group and have provided training and support at the annual leadership weekends. Sal is the Information Technology Director at a Law school, overseeing technology operations and services. Annie is a clinical social worker in private practice. Her work includes counseling individuals and families, as well as conducting workshops, retreats and keynotes. Anne and Sal enjoy hiking, cycling and paddling in Northern Michigan, and love to spend time in the kitchen!

Financial aid may be available. If you are seeking funds to participate in this program, click to review and complete our Financial Assistance Application and a Pendle Hill staff member will follow-up with you shortly (please do NOT register online). Thank you for your interest.

Travel directions to Pendle Hill.