Malone University service learning trip embraces a hike up Pendle Hill

The Malone experience aims to help students have their own “Pendle Hill moments,” and this trip quite literally brought students, faculty, and alumni to the University’s academic core component of experiential learning, Pendle Hill. 

“The most powerful experience of the journey for me was reaching the summit of Pendle Hill, where George Fox was ‘moved of the Lord’ to climb the Hill,” said Jacci Stuckey ʼ77, professor of history. “Here, I read an excerpt from Fox's journal for the entire group. It was on this hill, as Fox recounted, that ‘the Lord let me see in what places He had a great people to be gathered.’"

For this group of 22 participants, the trip was a time of learning and exploration in England. They took in their surroundings and toured historic landmarks like the Tower of London, London Bridge, and the Cadbury Company in Birmingham. They even partook in a unique British tradition, tea time. 

But the peak of the trip was immersion in Friends history, including a service project with Quaker Social Action. Here, participants gathered books and canned goods for the charity to use in the east London community right before following Fox’s journey to the top of Pendle Hill.

“After a challenging hike up a steep series of steps on a grassy slope with sheep grazing, we finally made it to the top,” said Lyndon Thomas ʼ82.  “I prayed that, with this journey to the top, God would give me new inspiration and direction on His call for me.”

As tough as it was rewarding, participants found peace in the journey with each step, shutting out the persistence of busyness to connect with God’s creation. 

“I fell in love with the journey, continually stopping to soak in the sheer beauty of God's wonderful creation,” said Andrew Willett ʼ24. “The hike was a reminder to slow down when things can get hectic and enjoy the journey God has blessed me with."   

What a weight God lifts off the shoulders of His people when worry is replaced with trust in Him. This service learning trip was a reminder to break away from what hinders daily life so that participants could some together like the Quaker Social Action in serving hindered communities. 

“Getting to know the students and alumni on the trip was especially rewarding,” said Laura Foote, co-coordinator of Pendle Hill initiative and associate professor of management studies. “Going to England, connecting with our Friend's heritage, and climbing Pendle was special; a true Pendle Hill moment for us all!”