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WINTER
2000
This year’s Tri-Quarterly Gathering, held 29 September – 1 October at Camp Ockanickon, Medford Lakes, N.J., elicited the following comments from some of the participants. — Ed.
A Sense of Place
It would not be uncommon to suggest that we all have special friends. Special people with whom we resonate, with whom there is a “gold cord,” a spiritual connection. It would not be outrageous to suggest that we may have this connection with some animals. Our pets, for example. When I am on my horse, I feel that we are one in some unique way. There are events as well, to which we harken and remember with fondness. The thought of that summer swim in the lake with friends can warm us on the coldest winter day. The first time I saw the Andromeda galaxy was special for me, a collection of stars outside our Milky Way, light-years away. Thus it is that a portion of the phenomena that surround us as we go through life may be characterized as “special.”
For myself, and others with whom I have spoken, that is the way it is with Camp Ockanickon, Medford Lakes, New Jersey, the place of our Tri-Quarter Conferences for the past two decades, and for this year as well. My wife and I have been in regular attendance now for the past five years. Two and a half years ago our son was born, and we have since attended as a family. To us the Tri-Quarter is a testimony to the legacy of Joe and Eleanor Lippincott, it is a wonderful experience of Friends from three quarters working together and getting to know each other, it is the forming of new friendships, it is the enrichment of various workshops made possible by those who devote time and energy to produce them, and more. But very significant to our family, it is the return to a “special place,” a place that has come to have spiritual power for us, and a place now firmly planted on our spiritual calendar, a part of our lives.
The weekend we spend at Tri-Quarter at Ockanickon is, for us, a step into a spiritual time warp. The time we spend there is connected with all the other times we have spent there. We remember old friends, some now passed on, brought to memory by passing a tree or standing on the porch, or overlooking the lake.
In our lives, often surrounding by brick and mortar, or bare walls of cinderblock, we are, for a few days, surrounded by the beauty of nature that refreshes the soul and reminds us of who created this world we inhabit. Sleeping in a cabin may have its discomforts, but the fresh, chilled air of the night have offered me some best night sleeps and made the morning’s coffee on the porch of the dining hall, greeting friends as they arrive for the breakfast that wafts upon the new day’s air, the first energizing elixir of the day.
Exchanging thoughts about spiritual matters in a workshop while viewing the lake through an open door or window adds a dimension hard to find elsewhere. In a world most of us spend in a hurry and filled with throngs, a long walk in solitude on a nature trail is a welcome. To gaze at the night’s stars in a sky undimmed by city lights inspires the realization of the amazing size and majesty of the universe.
There are, perhaps, other places where much of what is to be had at Ockanickon can be found, nature, lakes, remoteness. But for our family, it is that “special place” where so many memories now borne in our soul are planted and, like the chrysanthemums, bloom each fall. And so it is, as the Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
—George A. Crispin
Woodbury MMReflections on Our First Tri-Quarter
My thoughts about attending the Tri-Quarter Gathering for the first time—it was just great! It was just so good for the kids to be in a setting where they could socialize with other Quaker kids. The Gathering was very family-centered, although a single person would really enjoy it too. It just really invigorated me and renewed me spiritually, not to the extent that the week long Gathering would but in a different way due to the nature which we all really enjoyed despite the first cold night. The whole family especially enjoyed going out on the boats and walking around the woods. And the kids loved the art center and being creative with other kids. It was just so comfortable there for the whole family. It really says it all that when we left, both the kids, Daniel and Krystal, said they are coming back next year with or without Greg and me!
—Barbara Stevenson
Mickleton MM.My First Time at the Tri-Quarter Retreat
My friend Peggy has been telling me about the Tri-Quarter Gathering for years and I always planned to go; so I finally went this year. It was great! I had gone to Camp Ockanickon as a child around 1968 so I looked forward to seeing it again and I basically knew what the setting would be like. I found the morning workshop interesting; we discussed how different religions celebrate the Sabbath. It was wonderful to have a discussion outside in the natural setting; I really enjoyed participating in a discussion and hearing what people shared. The afternoon nature walk was really nice—it was fun to get to know people as we walked and some people spotted things I missed. Although Friday night was cold, the hayride and campfire on Saturday were warm and friendly. I really liked the Quaker worshipping by the lake on Sunday morning when people share what is really on their minds and in their hearts—what they are really thinking and feeling. The food was good and eating together reminded me of my childhood camping experience. All weekend I met really nice, friendly people. Taking pictures of people in different activities, I noticed a real family feel to the weekend! I think the setting is such a wonderful place for a retreat—it’s peaceful, quiet, and you can really think about the important things of life. A close getaway! I definitely plan to go back next year!
—Ed Kradaska
Woodbury MMA Special Place in My Heart
I remember so well the first time I attended the Tri-Quarter Gathering five years ago. It was such a special place and time felt different as it does during exceptional moments of life. The weekend retreat provided such a unique combination of nature, spirituality, fun, and community—it imprinted in my memory as one of the best weekends of my life! I loved the simple yet comfortable camping in small private cabins nestled among other families under a spiritual canopy of stars and trees. The crisp fall air seemed to permeate my body as I inhaled “God’s clearness.” I loved our intermittent discussion of spiritual matters as we gazed through the telescope to tour the universe as guided by our Quaker astronomy professor. I loved singing songs as we rode the hayride and warmed ourselves at the bonfire, together, ages 2 to 82, one big family. I loved the serenity and solitude of walking along nature trails and paddling a quiet canoe in the meandering lake.
The beautiful setting seemed to enhance the spiritual discussions during the facilitated workshops which provided an opportunity for exploring the Truths of life as we have experienced them, creating a sincere feeling of alignment with God. The structured part of the retreat closed with the soul-touching meeting for worship held under the filtered sunshine at the outside chapel by the lake. The remainder of Sunday afternoon provided leisurely family time, when the essence of the retreat could settle in one’s soul.
The entire weekend encouraged mingling and heartfelt sharings among some of the most pos itive and spiritual people I have ever met! It was such an uplifting retreat! Camp Ockanick on is surely a special place to visit and the Tri-Quarterly Gathering will remain among my most treasured memories, a place and time where I felt truly close to nature, close to each other, and close to God. A sense of oneness, wholeness, and holiness enveloped me. I believe our purpose on Earth is to learn Truth, especially about experiencing and sharing God’s love; living a weekend of loving positive community with other people and the Earth touched my soul such that I felt the real interconnectedness with others, God, and the Universe. Needless to say, I have participated in Tri-Quarter every year since—I eagerly anticipate that special spiritual place and time!
—Cindy Cox Crispin
Woodbury MMA Jump Start in My Life
Although in my youth I had attended several FGC Gatherings, and had participated in Young Friends weekends and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s workcamp, like many, as I acquired adult responsibilities (education, work, parenting, more education, more parenting), I had fallen out of the conference “habit.” So when I received a call inviting me to participate in the Tri-Quarterly panel discussion, I saw it as the “jump start” I needed.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for me. As a school psychologist, I’m newly back to work. My older child is newly back to school. My little one is newly back to Toddlertime (with me in tow!). However, we found a moment or two to pack some clothes and sundries and head to the woods.
I’m glad we did. Ockanickon proved to be a comfortably rustic setting with provisions for adults and children alike (unless your kids require an arcade to have fun). My 13-year-old found her forte in taking charge of the two youngest conference participants, and the three of them (along with a good-sized group of kids) enjoyed the creative children’s program while the adults attended one of a variety of workshops on Saturday morning. I myself enjoyed a small but intimate workshop on parenting facilitated by Harriet Heath of Radnor Meeting, good “food for thought” both personally and professionally. The remainder of Saturday found time for a extensive nature walk, a gathering to discuss the morning’s workshops, swimming (yes, some brave souls indulged!), and canoeing. Following a delicious dinner, we had the opportunity to take a lengthy hayride, culminating in the much-loved tradition of roasting marshmallows and eating S’mores by the campfire.
Perhaps my favorite time, however, was Sunday’s meeting for worship in the outdoor chapel. Rustic, yet sacred, the primitive clearing was surrounded by trees, and our “silence” was punctuated by the sounds of children, ruffling leaves, and noisy birds. And of course, the voices of those who were led to speak—numerous, and eloquent.
In my professional life, I have sometimes felt a detachment from my colleagues and peers, knowing that we don’t always share the same values, or at least that we choose to implement them differently. It was refreshing to spend time in a community where there were more similarities than differences in thinking and style. A weekend to relax and renew. And, after all, who couldn’t benefit from some reconnection with nature?
—Wende Sima
Woodstown MMRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
