The nonprofit Michigan Friends Center, centered on Quaker principles, was launched in 1992 as a conference center for the Friends Lake Cooperative Community to host programs on nonviolence, social justice, environment, personal and public health, and spiritual foundations.

            The center provides an inexpensive meeting and retreat setting in a quiet, woodland setting that has hosted many community organizations and private events over 30 years such as meditation retreats, holistic health events, environmental action programs and family gatherings, including live music programs for children and families. Many participants have noted their enjoyment of the rustic setting of the center, which has a full commercial kitchen and new electronic equipment that enables online and hybrid projection for presentations.

            Office Manager Carolyn Holland says, “As COVID restrictions reduce, we look forward to being once again a distinctive resource for the wider Chelsea community, supporting many local entrepreneurs and organizations.” Holland is a long-time attendee, resident and organizer of programs for the Michigan Friends Center, attended the first Living Lightly program and helped organize a series of Northwest Earth Institute sustainability conferences. Her interests include sustainability and Quaker spirituality.

Michigan Friends Center is located at 7748 Clark Lake Rd., in Chelsea. For more information, call 734-475-1892, email [email protected] or visit mfcenter.org.