Silver Wattle Quaker Centre invites you to be part of the 2012 course program, which is designed to deepen your spiritual life and readiness for your life in the world.

Course participants relaxing and chatting

The emphasis in all our courses is on interactive learning. They start with a tour of the Centre and dinner followed by course introduction session in the evening of the first day. On the last day, there is a final morning session followed by lunch. Classes are held in the morning and afternoon, and occasionally there will be a gathering in the evening. But you will find that plenty of time has been set aside for individual contemplation, study in the library or consultation with the facilitators. Most courses include a period when the whole community is in silent retreat and you will be offered guidance on how to spend this time usefully.

The maximum number of participants in a course is generally 15 and there may be one facilitator or more, with invited guest speakers. A Resident Elder offers spiritual accompaniment and guidance to participants and other residents. Friends-in-Residence support the teachers and staff in running the Centre and attending to individual needs. Accommodation is in single, double or twin rooms, and an adjacent bathroom and shower is shared by a group of 3 rooms. Vegetarian and major food allergies are catered for; participants are asked to bring any special foods that they need.

Silver Wattle runs on a rhythm of prayer and work. We invite you to join in food preparation, gardening, cleaning and general maintenance. Once a week there is a Community Meeting for Reflection in which all are invited to share their experiences and raise issues for consideration.

After your course has finished, we invite you most warmly to stay on for a retreat, or to enjoy living in community with us, whenever there is a vacancy.