Spiritual Formation

Deepening our Spiritual Lives in, with, and for Community

We are all pilgrims on a journey, taking different routes to the same destination. We are all seekers on a quest, searching for that which is greater, and our relationship to it, hoping to arrive at the Ground of Our Being. Along the way, we encounter other pilgrims and share the experience in moments of sacred intersection that feed our spirit, deepen our experience, strengthen our resolve, and build community. This is the Spiritual Formation Program. And we invite you to journey with us.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Retreats in September and May provide opportunities for individual reflection, sharing in small groups, exploring spiritual practices and readings, and fellowship.

• Your local Meeting's program (which we can help you to begin or renew), with “large group” discussions and “small group” opportunities to build spiritual friendships offering mutual support and accompaniment.

• The year-long virtual program offered through Zoom to Friends throughout the Yearly Meeting (and beyond—visitors welcome!), also offering large and small groups. (October-May)

Interested? Begin by exploring our program booklet or email SpiritForm@bym-rsf.org.

To get email notices about Spiritual Formation opportunities, fill out this contact form, and be sure to check the box for “Spiritual Formation Announcements.”

Spiritual Formation 2024-2025 Program

Fall 2024 Spiritual Formation Retreat
September 20-22, 2024
The Claggett Center
3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD

Registration for the Fall Retreat is Now Open through Friday, August 30th

The BYM Spiritual Formation Retreats are always a time to come together, to share our stories, and to explore the deep truths that sustain us in all times - and particularly in times of turmoil. The retreat for Fall 2024 falls in such a time. 

To Live in Hope — Exploring Pathways to Spiritual Resilience will be our theme as we gather for times of reflection and renewal, for quiet and sharing in spiritual friendships, for being reminded that we are never truly alone. 

"...for ye have no time but this present time: therefore prize your time for your souls' sake. And so, grow up in that which is pure, and keep to the oneness; then shall my joy be full."  

- George Fox, Epistle to his parents, 1652

The retreat will begin with supper at 6 o’clock on Friday, September 20th followed by our opening circle.  There will be two sessions on Saturday (morning and afternoon) with an evening of festive fellowship and singing.  Our Sunday morning session will be followed by Meeting for Worship and lunch.  Departure is immediately after lunch.  

Retreat participants will receive a detailed welcome email and pre-retreat exercise about one week before the retreat.  If you have questions as the retreat nears, please contact the program registrar, Russell Baskett, at russellcbaskett@gmail.com.  

The retreat will be held at the Claggett Center in Adamstown, Maryland.  Spiritual nurture funds are available through both local Meetings and through the Yearly Meeting.  The retreat welcomes all of us who seek a deeper life in and with Spirit. 

Spring 2025 Spiritual Formation Retreat
May 2-4, 2025
Shepherd's Spring Camp & Retreat Center
16869 Taylors Landing Rd, Sharpsburg, MD 21782

Registration for the Spring Retreat will be open in early March 2025 through Friday, March 28th.

The retreat will begin with supper on Friday, May 2nd, followed by our opening circle.  There will be two sessions on Saturday (morning and afternoon) with an evening of festive fellowship and singing.  Our Sunday morning session will be followed by Meeting for Worship and lunch.  Departure is immediately after lunch.  

Retreat participants will receive a detailed welcome email and pre-retreat exercise about one week before the retreat.  If you have questions as the retreat nears, please contact the program registrar, Russell Baskett, at russellcbaskett@gmail.com. 

The retreat will be held at the Shepherd's Spring Camp & Retreat Center near Sharpsburg, Maryland Claggett Center in Adamstown, Maryland.  Spiritual nurture funds are available through both local Meetings and through the Yearly Meeting.  The retreat welcomes all of us who seek a deeper life in and with Spirit.

Year-Long Virtual Program Offered via Zoom

The 2024-25 cohort for the BYM Virtual Spiritual Formation group will have its first gathering on Tuesday, October 15 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm (EST) via Zoom. We will meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month from October to May.

We expect participants to make a commitment to being present at most of the large group gatherings so that we can come together with the consistency and intentionality needed to care for one another on this year’s journey.

After the first large group meeting, we will gather information to be used in forming small groups.  Small groups arrange their own meeting times and connection details.

If you're interested in joining, please reach out to SpiritForm@bym-rsf.org for more information and to receive Zoom links. And if you'd just like to visit the first session to see if this gathering is right for you, you are most welcome. 

Local Gatherings

After the fall retreat, local Meetings begin their monthly small and large group year-long gatherings.

We can help launch or renew your local Meeting group. One option is a short-format (2-3 hour) retreat that we offer on-site at local Meetings, often at the rise of Meeting on a Sunday.

For more information, please contact Amy Schmaljohn (amy@schmaljohn.com) or Alan Evans (alanwe46@gmail.com).

Baltimore Yearly Meeting generously supports the Spiritual Formation Program and participation by all who want to attend. You can be part of making its ministries possible in many ways, including your participation, volunteering, and donations.