A Day of Silence and Meditation Practice, led by Carol Blotter
9:00-4:00 on Saturday, October 19, 2024; on Saturday, March 8, June 7, August 23, and December 6 in 2025.
Suggested donation $30 or as able. Pre-registration requested; contact Carol Blotter at 475-0942.
Spirituality – Meditation – Fundraiser

Each retreat is an opportunity to enjoy the quiet of the country while practicing sitting and walking meditation. This day is appropriate for anyone interested in meditation: beginners will have break-out instruction; experienced meditators can be in silence all day; those in-between can practice and have their questions answered. These retreats are fundraisers for the benefit of Michigan Friends Center.

Contact Carol at (734)475-0942 or cb.meditate@gmail.com to register.

Carol Blotter’s meditation practice draws from dual roots in the Quaker and Buddhist traditions. She has been teaching since 1999 and has led more than 40 retreats across the United States and has taught over 50 classes in meditation to spiritual seekers, schools, universities and medical groups. She is a teacher for The Forest Way which is an organization dedicated to providing retreat opportunities conducive to spiritual growth that is both balanced and integrated.

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Spirit Sing
Second Thursdays — 6:30-8:00 pm — January 9th, February 13th, March 13th, and April 10th
Donations joyfully accepted
Community – Body, Mind, & Spirit – Live Music, Sound, and Voice

Let that still small voice inside you rise up singing.

Weave your voice with others just for fun.

No expertise necessary.

We will teach each other simple songs and chants that give voice to our spirits, whether high, low, or in between.

All are welcome. Feel free to invite others.

There is no charge for the event, but all contributions to the upkeep of MFC are appreciated.

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Seasonal Celebrations

Vernal Equinox – a multi-generational celebration of balance and rebirth

Thursday, March 20, potluck 5:30-6:45 pm; bonfire 7-9 

Donations joyfully accepted. Please register in advance by emailing manager@mfcenter.org.

We meet at the Friends Lake beach or in the Michigan Friends Center, depending on the weather; join us for any part.  We will celebrate the balance of dark and light and the birth of spring with a potluck dinner followed by a bonfire/candle around which to share thoughts, stories, and songs.  All ages are welcome. Bring food to share and your own place settings.  We will provide water and herbal iced tea.  Bring something to share after dinner as well – a story, poem, song, seasonal lore, or just your readiness to partake in what others have brought.  What is this season saying to you? 

Summer Solstice – a multi-generational celebration of light and growth

Friday, June 20, potluck 6-7 pm; bonfire 7-9 

Donations joyfully accepted. Please register in advance by emailing manager@mfcenter.org.

We meet at the Friends Lake beach; join us for any part.  We will celebrate the longest day with a potluck dinner followed by a bonfire around which to share thoughts, stories, and songs.  All ages are welcome. Bring food to share and your own place settings.  We will provide water and herbal iced tea.  Bring something to share after dinner as well – a story, poem, song, some Solstice lore, or just your readiness to partake in what others have brought.  This will be a time to explore various ways of celebrating the light.  We welcome your spark. 

Autumnal Equinox — a multi-generational celebration of balance and letting go
Monday, September 22: potluck 5:30–6:45 pm; bonfire 7-9 — at the Friends Lake beach; join us for any part (the food will be put away at 7).
Donations joyfully accepted. Please register in advance by emailing manager@mfcenter.org.

Join us in celebrating the balance of day and night with a potluck and bonfire. The pot luck begins at 5:30 and will be cleared at 6:45. Bring your own place settings, and food to share. There will be water to drink. After we clear the potluck we will meet around the fire to share thoughts, poems, stories, songs, knowledge. All ages welcome.

Bring something to share– a verse, story or song you like, seasonal lore, or just a readiness to partake in what others have brought. What does this season mean to you?

Bring flashlights, and long sleeves, and dress for the weather.

Winter Solstice — a reflection of the season in sound and silence
7:00-9:00 p.m., Sunday, December 21.
Donations joyfully accepted. Please register in advance by emailing manager@mfcenter.org.

We sit quietly in a circle and teach each other rounds, songs, and chants of the season as they occur to us.  The woods around us, our sheltered circle focused on inner light, and our voices are the only element of this simple celebration of the longest night.

Anyone who enjoys singing and sitting quietly is welcome.  You don’t need to be a singer – some just enjoy humming or listening.  However, most young children do not enjoy this event, since it does not involve any activity other than sitting and singing.

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