Marriage Enrichment Retreats: Story of a Quaker Project

David and Vera Mace bring decades of hands‑on experience in counseling, teaching, and community building to this intimate portrait of a Quaker‑originated marriage‑enrichment movement. Their own partnership, forged through war‑time separation, academic study, and a lifelong commitment to relational health, frames the narrative with both scholarly insight and personal warmth.

The book recounts how a small group of married Friends, inspired by the 1968 Rufus Jones Lecture “Marriage as Vocation,” began holding intensive weekend retreats focused on deep communication. From those modest beginnings grew a structured program: Yearly Meetings selected couples for training at Pendle Hill, then sent them back to lead local workshops, prompting a series of reflective questions about the role of marriage in Quaker life and mission.

Listeners will discover a blend of historical context, practical observations, and heartfelt testimonies that illustrate how simple, intentional gatherings can nurture lasting partnership. The story invites anyone interested in the intersection of faith, sociology, and everyday love to consider how community support can shape stronger, more peaceful marriages.