Alfred Shakers’ Bell at Sabbathday Lake

Saturday, August 3, 2024
9am-6:30pm

At Manchester in England: Origins of the Shaker Church
Brother Arnold Hadd will discuss the origins of the Shaker Church, its progress, setbacks, membership, and reasons for leaving England.

On the Road Again with Mother Ann: Shaker Missionary Tours of New England, 1781–1783
Doug Winiarski will illustrate the geographical logic of Mother Ann Lee’s missionary journeys (1781-1783) and her success among a radical religious network of seekers known as the “New Lights.”

Shaker Villages and the Landscape of Gospel Order
Rob Emlen will highlight the distinctive style of Shaker Villages and the placement of buildings as the physical manifestation of the Shakers’ thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors.

“Our Absolute Dependence:” Symbiosis of the Shaker East and West
Christian Goodwillie will explain the Shakers’ westward expansion, forming seven new Communities that grew increasingly unable to manage without intervention from the Shakers in the East.

Men, Money, and Power: Forecasting the Survival of Shaker Communities
Stephen Paterwic and Brother Arnold will lead a discussion exploring the ways that having men, money, and power influenced the rise, fall, and survival of Shaker Villages.

Prepare to Sing Ye Lovely Band: Foundations of Music in Early Shaker Culture
Carol Medlicott will demonstrate how early Shaker music encompassed theology and spiritual devotion, dance, historical moments of Shakerism, and personal creativity.

Shaker Dwelling House Chapel

Sunday, August 4
10am-6:30pm

Join the Shakers and their congregation for Meeting in the Dwelling House Chapel, where Shakers have united in worship since 1884 when the house was constructed.

Chosen Land: Opening Our Home to You
A selection of activities will be offered to enjoy the Shakers’ extensive property and varied uses, as well as a series of hands-on workshops centered on Shaker traditional arts. Enjoy our sweet, summer land with hiking, swimming, and boating, or put your hands to work and make a lasting keepsake under the guidance of one of Shaker Village’s expert workshop instructors.

Looking in from the Outside: An Emerging Community of Supporters
Brother Arnold and Steve Paterwic will use and narrate mid-20th century images taken by outsiders depicting the state of affairs among the Shakers.

Shaker Herb House

Monday, August 5
10am-6:30

“Just 146 years since Mother Ann landed in America. New Cadillac arrives.”
Becky Soules will share ways that the Canterbury Shakers’ wealth and temporal prosperity distracted the Community’s leaders from cultivating faith with disturbing long-term implications for their future.

Hold Fast to That Which is Good
Mary Ann Haagen will share the Enfield, New Hampshire Shakers’ steadfast vigil of faith and conviction despite the eventual closing of their Village and relocation of their members.

The Good, the Bad, and the Indifferent: Monastic Memories of Love, Community, and Human Nature
Emily Bianchi will share long-told Maine Shaker stories and ways they reveal ordinary people attempting to live extraordinary lives.

Twentieth Century Shakerism: Ways of Coping with the Crises
Stephen Paterwic and Brother Arnold will lead a discussion comparing and contrasting the success of various 20th-century Shaker responses to changing times and crises.

Shaker Music in the Contemporary World: Opportunities and Challenges
Chris Moore will explore the lure, appeal, and value of Shaker music as it sometimes moves between the sacred and secular.

The Voice of God is Calling Us: The Past Five Decades of Shaker Life Looking Forward
Brother Arnold will share insights about the modern era when poverty, persecution, and paranoia fueled the Sabbathday Lake Shakers’ perseverance and strategies to include the wider world in their culture.

Meeting House with Sunflowers

Tuesday, August 6th
10am-8pm

Join the Shakers and their congregation in Meeting to commemorate Arrival Day, marking the 250th Anniversary of Shakerism in America. Readings, testimonies, and songs will be offered according to Shaker custom.

Shaker Design: A Special Dedication Ceremony by the United States Postal Service
By authority of the Post Master of the United States, New Gloucester’s Postmistress will lead a special dedication of the USPS “Shaker Design” series of postal stamps in honor of the Shakers’ 250th Anniversary.

Presentation of Congressional Recognition
Maine’s Congressional Delegation will honor the Shakers’ lasting contributions to American history and development.

Build Me a House, and Let Every Heart Contribute
Michael Graham will summarize the Shakers’ vision for their future Village before he and his team lead tours of the many projects taking place at Shaker Village, including the restoration of the Shakers’ Great Barn, and Herb House, and the future sites of the new Visitors’ House and Farmers’ Market and Café.

Written in the Sky
Join the Shakers, their staff, and our neighbors from surrounding communities for a spectacular fireworks display over Shaker Village, heralding the start of the Shakers’ next 250 years.

The Poland Spring Resort will cater the conference. Beginning Saturday, August 3 through Tuesday, August 6th, conference attendees will receive two meals daily at lunch and supper. Attendees are responsible for their own breakfast (see lodging tab). Please select need for gluten free, vegetarian, and/or vegan meals on your registration form.

The buffet for the event includes:

Friday August 2nd
Offsite reception at the Poland Spring Resort for all conference attendees
Hors d’oeuvres include meatballs, vegetable tray, fruit tray, cheese and cracker tray, and deviled eggs. finger sandwiches, chips, and brownies. Open Bar with beer, wine, seltzers, and Poland Spring Water.

Saturday August 3rd
Lunch – BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, chips and dessert.
Dinner- Italian Feast – Chicken parmesan, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and summer squash, Garlic bread, Caesar Salad and dessert.

Sunday August 4th
Lunch- Assorted sandwiches, pasta salad, chips and dessert.
Dinner- BBQ Chicken and Ribs, corn on the cob, baked potato, sour cream, coleslaw, baked beans, fruit salad and dessert.

Monday August 5th
Lunch- Deli meat trays – turkey, ham and roast beef, assorted sliced cheeses, lettuce, tomato, sliced onions, pickles, rolls, pasta salad, chips and dessert.
Dinner- Roast turkey and pork loin, cornbread stuffing, honey glazed carrots, steamed broccoli with garlic butter, mashed potatoes, tossed salad, rolls and dessert.

Tuesday August 6th
Lunch – Assorted sandwiches, pasta salad, chips and dessert.
Dinner- Roast Beef, Salmon with lobster cream sauce, rice pilaf, roasted zucchini and summer squash, cauliflower with crumb topping, tossed salad, rolls and dessert.

The Maine Inn at Poland Spring Resort

Attendees are responsible for booking their own lodging. Our recommendation is the Poland Spring Resort, located 3 miles north of Shaker Village on Route 26, which is offering an unbeatable special promotion for conference attendees.

Packages are:

Motor Lodge on Route 26
Regular room $75 – 2 double or 1 king
Premium Room 109.00 – 2 double, 1 king, or 1 queen

Presidential Inn
Standard $75 with 1 king, or 1 queen, or 2 twins
Deluxe $99 one king

Maine Inn
Select $129 with 1 king or 2 doubles
Mountain view $139 with 1 king or 2 doubles

Shaker Rate with full buffet breakfast add $12.50 per person each day.
Promo code SK-B

* All rates are plus sales tax.

Please contact the Poland Spring Resort to book reservations. First come, first serve.
Polandspringresort.com
(207) 998-4351

Please use “Shaker Rate” when placing your reservation to ensure that you receive the negotiated rate.

Our special thanks to Cyndi Robbins, owner of the Poland Spring Resort and member of the Friends of the Shakers organization!