Fall and Spring Retreats for Friends of Color

A hybrid retreat is a retreat which offers programming for participants at an on-site location while also providing a space online for on-site and virtual attendees to commune. Virtual participants will have opportunities to interact with on-site participants and other virtual participants over zoom. We do our best to ensure that virtual participants are an integral part of the hybrid retreat.

We typically offer three types of registrations for in-person participation. The following are listed from most to least expensive:

• Overnight, single room (room to yourself)
• Overnight, double room (share a room with another participant)
• Commuter (no overnight accommodation)

All in-person registration options include meals. Registration fees for each option may differ depending on the location of the retreat.

If you choose to attend virtually, you will be sent a Zoom link the week of the retreat where you may attend the retreat online. The virtual registration fee for retreats is $60 per person.

The Ministry on Racism aims to select diverse retreat locations to reflect the geographic diversity of Friends of Color in North America. The general region in which a retreat will be held alternates with each retreat. We are always looking for retreat centers that can accommodate our diverse participants. If you have had a good experience with a retreat center near you, we would love to hear about it!

General outlines of the schedule (number of sessions, time of sessions) are made available around the time that registration opens for the retreat. The full retreat schedule (description of sessions and facilitators) will usually be finalized the week before the retreat. If you would like an idea of what the retreat schedule will look like, you can view schedules from past retreats on our website.

You can pay the registration fee for the retreat in the registration form for the retreat. You may also pay using FGC’s one-time donation form:

• In the dropdown menu that says “Please Use My Gift to Support,” select Ministry on Racism
• In the Comments and Feedback section, write “Registration Fee: Event Name”

You may also pay via check. Make the check out to “Friends General Conference.” In the memo line, write “MoR Retreat Registration.” 

Mail the check to:

Friends General Conference

1216 Arch St #2B

Philadelphia, PA 19107 Please note that we are unable to process checks from outside of the United States. Non-US residents should pay with a debit or credit card in the registration form or through our online donation form in US dollars. Thank you for understanding.

Yes. Through the Bayard Rustin and Mahala Ashley Dickerson Funds, there is financial support to Friends of Color living in North America to attend FGC-affiliated events. The Bayard Rustin Fund provides funds for travel expenses and the Mahala Ashley Dickerson Fund provides funds for program and registration fees.

If you registered for a retreat but are no longer able to attend, please contact a Ministry on Racism staff member immediately. We require a deposit as part of our registration fees which will not be refunded in the case of a last minute cancellation or a no-show without prior notice.

Since the primary purpose of our retreats is to build community and connection among Friends of Color, we encourage Friends to attend the full retreat. However, we understand if you are only able to attend a portion of the retreat. We are unable to provide discounts to Friends who cannot attend the full retreat.

After the retreat, the Ministry on Racism will send an email to participants containing the slides from the retreat as well as links to any resources that were shared during our time together. Participants will also receive a link to an evaluation form to provide feedback about the retreat.

Participants are asked during registration if they would like to share their contact information with other participants. After the retreat, the Ministry on Racism will share the contact information of those participants who indicated that they were comfortable sharing.

We understand that attending a retreat can be a daunting experience. We have formulated a set of guidelines which governs our time together to ensure that Friends can share their authentic selves in the spirit of bravery and mutual care and respect. We also understand that no space will be perfect and that racial woundings may occur. In the instance that you experience a racial wounding at our retreat or any FGC-affiliated event, we encourage you to fill out the Racial Wounding Reporting Form and a member of the Racial Wounding Committee will reach out to you.