About Us

Welcome to Northfield

We honor the diversity of human experience; we respect the gifts of our elders; we look with joy to the future through our children; and we continually seek to affirm life creatively and thoughtfully.

This is a week-long annual event in which we devote ourselves to growth – personal, spiritual, social, and communal.

Here we learn, question, doubt, affirm, and explore what gives our lives meaning and depth.

A Day at Northfield

Northfield Themes

Every year, a new theme to guide our week is chosen by the community. 

Although not all programming is defined by the theme, it represents a focal point for the Community, the workshops, and the Conference Hour Speakers.  Here are some useful documents from previous years: 2025 weekly schedule and campus map, 2025 Conference handbook as well as past themes. 

A time to stretch, do yoga or meditate to start your day with a sense of well-being.

Conference Hour offers us intensely personal and moving glimpses into the lives of other people willing to share deeply. For an hour each morning, a speaker is invited to share some meaningful life experiences that in some way reflect the theme. 

This special hour is held in deep respect as a gift to all.  

Each “family” group includes people of different backgrounds and ages who meet daily to get to know each other, to talk, to share, to play together.

Children play an integral role at Northfield. Structured programs for children are available for ages 3 to 14 from 9:00–12:00 noon. Babysitting for toddlers and infants during the day may be arranged by parents.  

The lovely Northfield Mt. Hermon campus offers opportunities for swimming, tennis, basketball, group games, or walking and biking. We typically have a multi-generational sport activity during this time as well.  Some also use this time for resting, being with friends, writing, reading, or making music.  

A wide variety of workshops, from the silly to the serious, are offered each day. Workshop offerings may include music, movement, art, spirituality, personal growth, health, relationships ~ or anything else!

A time for the teens to gather together to discuss issues or topics of importance to them in a confidential forum.

Relaxed, informal gatherings may occur around campus, usually under trees, to discuss topics arising out of that day’s Conference Hour. Speakers can engage in more conversation  with interested members of the community.

Every evening after dinner, the community gathers in the chapel to enjoy our spiritual diversity.  This celebration is traditional, innovative, multi-faith and intergenerational.  It is planned daily by those interested.  

Each night, after Sacred Circle, we have different events for example: Coffee House, Talent Show, Theme Dance, Bedtime Story Hour, among others!  Find out more here. 

After Evening Program there is a chance to sit and relax, play games, talk, play music, and more! 

Conference or Community?

An important discussion

Do we identify as a conference, a community or both? This recurring topic has come up and led to fascinating discussions over the years. We LOVE that this is being talked about, and perhaps it results in a better understanding of what Northfield is and why it is important to so many of us.

Below are two points of view for you to consider.
  1. We honor our history and traditions by keeping the conference appellation.
  2. The Conference runs twice a year – for a week in June and a weekend in January. 
  3. The Conference is carefully and intentionally organized with a packed schedule of programming.
  4. The volunteer leadership of the Conference is comprised of rotating members of the community.
  1. We are an authentic and inviting community of people who gather each year to learn, grow and connect.
  2. We maintain connection throughout the year via planning meetings, informal gatherings, email.
  3. Everyone’s ideas, suggestion or critiques are taken seriously. We are people and process  oriented.
  4. Welcoming newcomers maintains the health of the Conference and strengthens the community. 

Our History

Over many years of its existence, Northfield has changed and adapted. It is currently a multi-generational community for individuals and families for which its diverse programs are generated by its participants. 

The Conference was founded in 1893 as a Christian conference for young women by May Whittle Moody, daughter-in-law of evangelist Dwight Moody. For a week each year, they met on the campus of the Northfield School (situated on the grounds of the Moody farm).

During war-time in the 1940’s the Conference separated into three geographical areas: the Northern Area Conference (our “Northfield”) on the Northfield Mount Hermon campus; the Erie Area Conference, held at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania; and the Middle-Atlantic Conference, held on Cape Cod. 

Each conference developed differently. The Northern Area Conference opened to families and a multi-faith approach. Whereas the population of the Northern Area Conference grew or stabilized over the years, enrollment at the other conferences slowly declined. In 2007 the Middle Atlantic Conference officially rejoined with the Northern Area Conference, as did the Erie Conference in 2013, returning the Northfield Conference to a single entity.

At its core, the Conference honors the diversity of the human experience by striving towards honest, open and authentic sharing, through both a secular and a spiritual lens. 

Note About Historical Documents

Get Involved

Northfield is inclusive, experiential, collaborative. Whether you're attending for the first time, returning after decades, come every year ~ we need you! Your participation helps shape the week.

  • Volunteer your time
  • Offer a workshop
  • Become a family facilitator
  • Be a newcomer's buddy
  • Join planning teams
  • Contribute stories, music, or ideas
  • Help with silent auction/baskets
  • Join the Nominating Committee

Volunteer Administrators

Northfield is organized and sustained by a devoted team of volunteers who plan, coordinate, and bring the entire Conference experience to life.

The Board consists of seven members who serve in a variety of key roles:

  • President: Wendy Desmarteaux
  • Treasurer: Ron McClain
  • Secretary: Caroline Jestin
  • Registrar: Tracey Briscoe
  • Conference Coordinators (Troika): Pierre Ragot
  • Conference Coordinators (Troika): Nancy Taylor
  • Conference Coordinators (Troika): Bill Milford

The Executive Committee includes all Board members and the Program Chairs.

  • Program Chair: Kathy Lowe-Bloch
  • Program Chair: Peter Bloch

These dedicated volunteers bring Northfield to life through programming, planning, communication, and care:

Youth Program Coordinator: Keri Pitcher

  • Workshop Coordinators: Gail Ferris
  • Workshop Coordinators: Frank Grillo
  • MidWinter Planners: Rob Yager
  • MidWinter Planners: Donna Moore
  • Executive Committee Scribe: Kara Colvin
  • Nominating Chair: Kym Pedicelli

Family Facilitator Coordinators:

  • Donna Moore
  • Rob Yager
  • Jenny White

Communication Volunteers:

  • Communications Coordinator: Pierre Ragot
  • Google Groups Manager: Peter Bloch
  • Grapevine Editor: Nancy Taylor
  • Website Manager: Dahna Weber
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