MOSES Action for Forgiveness

Holy Wisdom Monastery Justice Leave a Comment

Sumbitted by The Religious Leader Caucus of MOSES: Sr. Joan Duerst, O.P., Patricia La Cross, Mark Petersen, Marsha Baldwridge As a community of communities, MOSES members share the core belief that each human person is precious and redeemable by all we call Holy: the Lord of Israel, Jesus, the teachings of the prophet Mohammed, and the practices of Buddhism and other non-theist spiritualities. Our whole Wisconsin network (MOSES is one of 11 WISDOM state affiliates) has been asked to broadly urge our members to join a letter campaign. This effort aims for the release of 2 individuals in our prison …

Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance Service

Holy Wisdom Monastery Justice, Prayer & Worship Leave a Comment

A diverse group of affirming religious communities spanning the faith spectrum are joining together for Madison’s second annual recognition of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, held this year at Temple Beth El. The planners of this event feel the need to recognize the ongoing harm faced by the transgender community, especially by Black transgender women. Rabbi Jonathan Biatch of Temple Beth El says, “our goal is to elevate, to raise up” toward “the intention and the action of the Creator.” He adds, “acts of memory evoke love, acts of memory evoke action.” Cantor Jacob Niemi adds that “it’s important to …

Madison to Hold First-ever Pride Interfaith Service

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Madison, WI – In solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, a diverse group of affirming religious organizations and community partners will unite for Madison’s first Pride Interfaith Service on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Madison from 5:00-8:00 pm. This event is open to the public. The planners of this event feel the need to speak queer affirmation loudly. Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, explains that “for far too long, faith communities have been a source of pain and discrimination for the LGBTQIA+ community.” This event addresses the pain and harm caused …

Luke House Community Meal Program – feeding people in Dane County

Amy Ryan Justice Leave a Comment

For more than 30 years, the Luke House Community Meal Program has brought Dane County church groups and other faith-based communities together to help feed local people who are in need.  Faith is what motivates the volunteers who prepare and serve food, and then eat with guests. The Community Meal Program is an important and practical way of being united together as one with other faith organizations. On the second Tuesday of each month, members of Holy Wisdom Monastery participate in preparing, serving and sharing a meal at Luke House. For more information on volunteering sign-up and COVID safety precautions, …

reSTORYation

Amy Alstad Care for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Justice, reSTORYation Leave a Comment

“Words and names are the ways we human build relationships” -Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gathering Moss In this installment of reSTORYation, we invite you to deepen your connection to the land by exploring the place names given by others who have tended and honored this place. Phonetically spelled, Deyo-ha-waunee is the Ho-Chunk name for Lost Lake.  Lake Mendota is called Wonk-sheck-ho-mikla. These names derive from Ho-Chunk oral traditions which can be further explored in the 1927 publication Lake Mendota Indian Legends. (attached) The map below animates some of the oral tradition behind the local Ho-Chunk place names, as relayed to Charles …

Dick Wagner

Holy Wisdom Monastery Justice, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

The sisters and Holy Wisdom Monastery community are saddened by the sudden death of Dick Wagner on Dec. 13, 2021. He was a community servant and gay rights leader for decades in Madison and beyond. Click here to read his obituary. At the monastery, Dick was a long-time member of Sunday Assembly. He championed LGBTQ+ rights and introduced many people to the monastery. He was involved in the monastery’s fundraising efforts and was a regular sponsor for many events. He wrote the case statement for the campaign to raise the money to purchase the 55 acres which is now Wisdom …

Evolution of Holy Wisdom’s Relationship with SARTHI

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By Raj Atalla, Sunday Assembly Member The relationship began during a time when our son Ian was travelling in India for language and cultural studies; it was the 2005 to 2006 academic year. Soon after he arrived there, he was walking the streets of Delhi and saw a young boy with a cleft palate who seemed to be quite timid in comparison to the other kids his age on the streets. Ian took the boy, whose name was Akshay, to a hospital nearby and asked what it would cost to have the cleft repaired. He was told it would be …

Give Back with a Backpack

Amy Ryan Hispanic Ministry, Justice, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

Give Back with a Backpack goal reached In joyful outpouring of financial and in-kind contributions, we are excited to share that the Give Back with a Backpack project campaign reached the goal of donating 40 backpacks to Midvale Elementary School students.  Donors A special thank you to the many donors who supported this social justice Hispanic/Latinx ministry.  Due to the financial generosity, we were also able to purchase 40 early-reader books in both English and Spanish. Sandy AdamsAnonymousAmy BonomieSue and Charles BradleyElise DuweJanine EdwardsKathy and Neil HeskinHoly Wisdom Oblates Candidates Class of 2021Joan SullivanJoyce and Gary WodkaSue KoleczekMarcia KraterAbbie LoomisCharles …

Statement condemning violence

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Dear Friends of Holy Wisdom, In hope and unity with our community and the people of our nation and the world, Holy Wisdom Monastery condemns the hateful actions that unfolded in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021.  We mourn the loss of life and the failing trust in our government and renew our commitment to the rights of all. We can do better.  Let us join in prayer for peace and stability after witnessing the lawlessness of yesterday’s actions. We promise to continue to work for just relationships and strive for a culture that allows our nation to live ever …

Luke House: serving the hungry with the help of faith communities

Amy Ryan Justice Leave a Comment

As part of our mission to weave prayer, hospitality, justice and care for the earth into a shared way of life, we strive to live ever more deeply into diversity, inclusivity and equity so that all may be one. With the leadership of the Holy Wisdom Monastery’s Sunday Assembly, donors and volunteers, together we provided more than $4,480 in support of Luke House and their 60-120 weekly guests. Feeding the hungry Luke House provides nutritious and balanced meals to Madison’s most in-need residents – the homeless and hungry.  Through the Luke House community meal program, Holy Wisdom was able to share …