Winged wonders of Lost Lake

Holy Wisdom MonasteryUncategorized Leave a Comment

Submitted by David Kelly (he/him). All photos by David Kelly. It’s finally spring. The ice and snow have melted and Holy Wisdom and there’s a lot to see. From woodlands to wetlands, life is awakening from its icy slumber. It’s time to explore. The early morning shadows stretch across the forest floor. Soft, moist ground gives way beneath your feet. Fallen twigs crackle as you walk. Each step stirs the musky aromas of last fall’s decomposing leaves. Shrubs show tiny buds, packets of energy, ready to burst. Oak, hickory and black cherry trees tower overhead. Leaves haven’t appeared, so you …

Live with love, joy and presence

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCCR, Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR), Pastors' Stories, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Submitted by Kathleen Owens (she/her), Manager of Clergy Programming and Communications for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery. James Rissler tried to prepare for his first Contemplative Renewal Immersion, and first visit to Holy Wisdom Monastery, by reading the Rule of Benedict. As a Mennonite Pastor from Georgia, he was not quite sure what to expect. He had some uncertainty about where he was heading in his vocation and a desire to explore more contemplative practices. He was concerned that St. Benedict seems to discourage humor and laughter. He wondered, “What kind of place will this be?” …

Walking contemplative

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCCR, Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR), Pastors' Stories, Uncategorized 3 Comments

Submitted by Kathleen Owens (she/her), Manager of Clergy Programming and Communications for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery. “I don’t know if burned out is the right word,” reflects Julane Nease when recalling what led her to apply to Contemplative Renewal Immersions, “but I was feeling the stress of my call. There’d been a lot of difficulties that had happened within the life of the people in the congregation.” When she arrived for her first immersion in July 2021, she realized she was not alone. “I remember at that first session being struck at how emotional it …

Renewing rhythms

Renewing rhythms

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Submitted by Kathleen Owens (she/her), Manager of Clergy Programming and Communications for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery Christy Suffecool was one of the first pastors to come for a Deep Breath retreat when the ministry began in the fall of 2023. Her first Deep Breath retreat in November 2023, led to another in November 2024, and another in November 2025. Thinking back to when she heard about the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery in 2023, Christy remembers, “… I was fried. I did what I thought was self-care, but it really wasn’t taking …

Awareness

Awareness

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCCR, Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR), Pastors' Stories, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Submitted by Kathleen Owens (she/her), Manager of Clergy Programming and Communications for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery James Salimes was struggling with disillusionment when he heard about the Contemplative Renewal Immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery. As part of his disillusionment, he left ministry as a non-denominational pastor and started serving as a chaplain. James entered the immersions hopeful the experience would help him “work through my disillusion, but with an open mind to see where it would lead me.” As a part of the fourth cohort of Contemplative Renewal Immersions, he found a community of pastors …

Thanksgiving Message – Gratitude and Reflection

Erin TrondsonUncategorized 7 Comments

Dear Holy Wisdom Community, The Thanksgiving season gently reminds us of the important practice of gratitude. Yet gratitude can be a challenging emotion during this time in the world and during a holiday that has a complicated history. We have much to be grateful for at Holy Wisdom. We are blessed daily by our guests, our shared mission, the prairie, the sisters and one another. As those of you who attended the Annual Meeting in October know, we have much to be thankful for – our vital and growing organization is thriving. Yet this is a time in the world …

Stef Coleman - Grounded

Grounded

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCCR, Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR), Pastors' Stories, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Submitted by Kathleen Owens (she/her), Manager of Clergy Programming and Communications for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery Stef Coleman was six months into a new call in the city of Chicago when a colleague who had come to Holy Wisdom Monastery for a Deep Breath, suggested checking out what is available through the Center for Clergy Renewal. Stef remembers feeling like “I was always being poured out” when she found Contemplative Renewal Immersions on the website. The idea of being part of a cohort of pastors in similar life positions or ministry contexts was appealing. “I …

Community of Joy – Phyllis Lobdell

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCommunity of Joy, Uncategorized 9 Comments

It is a warm feeling to know that someone is expecting you and that they are glad you came. It was a beautiful fall day when I had the pleasure of meeting Phyllis in the courtyard of the Retreat and Guest House. I was honored to spend the hour with her and learn more about her life and connection to Holy Wisdom. Phyllis discovered Holy Wisdom as a personal retreatant from Illinois back in 2011. “I was sole care-giver for my mother and I needed to find a place for some respite. I found Holy Wisdom Monastery on the internet …

Fall Spectacles

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Submitted by David Kelley (he/him),Friends of Wisdom Prairie Volunteer “Don’t you imagine the leaves dream nowhow comfortable it will be to touchthe earth instead of thenothingness of the air and the endlessfreshets of wind?” – Mary Oliver, Song for Autumn It’s early spring. Warm air, sunshine and rainfall abound. High in the canopy, tree buds have been waiting all winter for this. They burst open in all manner of green as trees awaken from a long winter’s slumber. As temperatures continue to rise, the leaves spread out as summer sun pumps life into the forest. Like millions of tiny solar …

Beyond the Bloom

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Submitted by Janet Neurauter (she/her),Mission Advancement Consultant Join us Friday, November 14, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm for the opening reception of Beyond the Bloom, featuring work by Maron Massey. This exhibit will be available for viewing November 5, 2025 – February 3, 2026. Some of Maron Massey’s first memories are of creating art with her family. “My mom, dad, and siblings were always making art together. We were constantly working on projects – even the ones from the ‘Highlights’ magazine for children!” By the time she was a senior in high school, she was allowed to create her own independent …