CANCELLED – Contemplative Cooking Class: Summer
2026-08-16 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
This program is cancelled because the leader is sick. We are working to reschedule the class.
Join us for a beginner friendly cooking class that teaches how to cook with seasonal ingredients, while slowing down and being present to what we are creating. We will have fun learning from Chef Felipe and working together to create a delicious summer meal.
The cooking class is mostly demonstrational, with a few hands-on opportunities for those that present themselves as more interested in a hands-on opportunity. The contemplative cooking classes are mindful, technique-focused cooking classes, celebrating peak-season ingredients.
Together we will prepare a light, vibrant menu featuring Chilled Sweet Corn Velouté, a Tomato-Peach Salad, Sautéed Collard Greens with Boquerones, Lemon-Shallot Fingerling Potatoes and Baked Parmesan-Herb Crusted Fish.
Skills this class will teach:

Palate development (learn how to taste food and understand how to food taste)
Seasonal cooking skills (different cooking skills and why are they appropriate for different seasons)
Ethics in working in a kitchen
Being mindful and present while doing a task
Contemplating the gift of all creation while cooking.
Learning about ingredients and building intimacy with it.

Cost & Registration
$65/person. Please register by Aug. 8. Limited to 16 people.
There are no refunds for cancellations, however registrations are transferable to another attendee by the person who purchased the program.

Program Leader – Chef Felipe Saint-Martin

Felipe Saint-Martin is the esteemed Culinary Director and Chef de Cuisine at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin, where he infuses Benedictine hospitality with innovative, sustainable cuisine. Originally from Brazil, Felipe’s culinary journey began in the vibrant kitchens of Rio de Janeiro before he immigrated to the United States, embracing new challenges with resourcefulness and perseverance. His career spans renowned establishments, including Claude Troisgros Brasserie and Laguioli Lab in Brazil, and in New York City, where he refined his craft at acclaimed restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern and Eataly Market. In these fast-paced, Michelin-starred kitchens, Felipe mastered the art of blending bold flavors with refined techniques, working with top-tier chefs to create unforgettable dining experiences. Now at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Felipe crafts meals that celebrate the earth’s bounty, drawing from the monastery’s 130-acre restored prairie and gardens to create dishes that nourish body and spirit.

What others are saying about Chef Felipe’s cooking classes:
“What a treasure to get in the kitchen up close with Chef Felipe! I was touched by the great skill and authentic heart that he brought to every element of the meal – something that comes through every time I dine at Holy Wisdom, and something that I hope to practice at home, too.”
“Felipe is a talented and engaging teacher and chef! Great combination of experience, culinary knowledge and energy!”
“We had a great time cooking with Chef Felipe. The meal turned out delicious and was even better because it was made by a community of kind people working to create something together!”

Medicinal Plant Practicum
2026-08-21 09:00 - 12:00
This hands-on workshop explores the ecology of native medicinal plants, when and how to harvest them and the best ways to process and utilize them. We will focus on native plants frequently used in herbal medicine, such as elderberry, nettle and echinacea. Emma Kloes will teach how to identify plants and forage, while showcasing foundational processing techniques so you can begin making your own syrups, tinctures, infused oils and salves at home. Participants can go home with a small jar of elderberry syrup if they choose.
Note: Emma will be focusing on wild plants and techniques that are commonly utilized and studied. Emma is not a medical provider, and this workshop is intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Date & Time
Friday, August 21, 2026, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Schedule

9:00-10:30 am – Walking tour with focus on medicinal plant ID and plant qualities
10:30-11:30 am – Elderberry syrup processing demo with taste testing
11:30 am-12:00 pm – Conversation and Q&A focused on herbal processing techniques
12:00 pm – Lunch at Holy Wisdom Monastery (optional)

About the Program Leader – Emma Kloes

Emma Kloes sees farming and land stewardship as ways to deepen connection with self, community and native ecology. She has spent more than six years foraging, farming vegetables and perennial crops and learning how to process and cook with these foods. Emma values the use of edible and medicinal plants to support the health and resilience of her community.

Cost
$37/person (no lunch)
$56/person (with lunch, Aug. 12 registration deadline)
Registration
Please register by Aug. 20, 2026, if you are attending the event, and by Aug. 12, 2026, if you plan to stay for lunch. This offering is limited to 30 people and registration will close when full. There is no refund if you need to cancel your registration.

Social Justice Committee
2026-08-23 10:20 - 11:20
Palestinian Connection Project
Yearning to make a practical difference – one that is desperately needed – in our fraught and fearful world? Wanting to join hearts with others to have an impact on our world, so beset by suffering, violence and inequity? JOIN US! for an introduction to the new Palestinian Connection Project!
Members of the Holy Wisdom Monastery Social Justice Committee invite you to join us in the Monastery Boardroom after worship on Sunday, August 23, 2026, to hear about the new Palestinian Connection Project, a heart-to-heart relationship between our Sunday Assembly community and the approximately 2,000 Palestinian people in 12 villages at the southern end of the West Bank. These are the villages about which we learned in last year’s viewing of the film, No Other Land. The villages are currently under a demolition order; it is now impossible to be employed in the West Bank, and aid organizations are no longer able to work here. The villagers’ goals are simple: to maintain their villages, remain on their land and raise their families. Through this project, members of Sunday Assembly have an opportunity to directly and meaningfully address the injustice and suffering of this small community, and to build a lasting relationship of support and solidarity with these families.
Can’t join us on the Aug. 23rd but want to know more? Contact Roberta Felker at rfelker4221@gmail.com.

Walking & Listening as Ecological Arts
2026-08-28 09:00 - 11:30
Join us Aug. 28, from 9:00-11:30 am, on the land to experience walking, observing and listening as forms of ecological art alongside Artist in Residence, Anne Beffel, and Director of Land Management & Environmental Education, Dr. Amy Alstad.

We’ll gather at the monastery building parking lot kiosk and walk contemplatively, ending at Lost Lake. We’ll pause often to hear and see the life surrounding us. We’ll explore our direct sensory experiences in parallel with stories and observations of how the land has healed itself in response to the work of attentive land stewards. Leave with questions and techniques for discerning links among contemplative practices, sensing our ways into our shared natural world and land restoration.

Schedule
9:00 am – Gather at parking lot kiosk, brief introductions
9:10 am – Begin walk, we’ll make frequent stops for observation and storytelling
11:30 am – End walk
Cost
There is no cost to participants for this program.
Register
Please register by Aug. 27. This event is limited to 15 people.

Listening to Land, Listening to Self: An Eco-Contemplative Writing Retreat
2026-08-29 09:00 - 2026-08-30 16:00
What does the land tell us when we truly listen?
How does a pesticide-sprayed lawn or a restored oak savanna affect our bodies and minds? In this two-day contemplative writing retreat, we’ll explore the role of writers in this time of climate crisis and discover how to grieve what is lost while finding strength and joy in what is possible.
We’ll use creative writing, mindfulness practices and the land at Holy Wisdom Monastery to connect with the wisdom that arises when we listen deeply to ourselves or a place. We’ll use periods of mindful awareness, writing, sharing, reading and discussion to explore the power of our words to create a liveable future.
You’ll leave with fresh writing, readings and tools to inspire your creative and contemplative practices, and connection to others who care about the more-than-human-world.
Schedule (subject to change)
Saturday

9:00-10:00 am – Welcome, introductions, and writing session
10:00-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:15 am – Meditation, mindful writing instruction, optional sharing
11:15 am-12:00 pm – Mindful walking and writing outside
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Meditation, reading, and discussion
2:15-2:30 pm – Break
2:30-3:00 pm – Writing and optional sharing
3:00-3:45 pm – Dialogue with a more than human being (outside)
3:45-4:00 pm – Close

Sunday

9:00-9:30 am – Meditation
9:30-10:00 am – Writing
10:00-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:15 am – Mirror walk with partner outside
11:15 am-12:00 pm – Writing and optional sharing
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Meditation, reading, and discussion
2:15-2:30: Break
2:30-3:30: Listening to land exercise (outside)
3:30-4:00: Closing ceremony

Workshop Leader – Rebecca Jamieson
Rebecca Jamieson grew up on the land between Spring Green and Dodgeville, where she spent countless hours exploring the rock outcroppings, woods, and fields. After 12 years living on the West Coast and New England, she now lives in Madison.

Rebecca is the author of the poetry collection The Body of All Things and is the recipient of a 2025 Wisconsin Writers Award, and the 2024 Tupelo Press Prose Prize. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Rattle, The Offing, The Mid-American Review and the anthology Driftless. She’s currently at work on a collection of personal essays.

When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, baking, or cuddling her two cats.

Cost
Commuter: $220/person

Includes Saturday and Sunday lunch.

Residential: $295/person

Provides overnight accommodations.
Includes Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch.

Early bird pricing: $35 off per package until July 20, 2026.
Register
Please register by August 20, 2026. The capacity of the program is 20 people and registration will close when full.
Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration, 75% of the cost is refundable before the August 20, 2026 registration deadline, and 50% of the cost is refundable after the registration deadline until the start of the program.

I Choose Peace: Sound Healing & Guided Meditation
2026-09-19 10:00 - 11:45
You are welcome to explore a transformative journey through stillness with I Choose Peace: Sound Healing & Guided Meditation. This uniquely enchanting heart-centered experience invites you to explore the depths of world peace and love through the calming resonance of sound bowl healing, serene, guided meditations and space for reflective journaling. It’s more than just meditation; it’s a pathway to self-love and a deeper connection with your inner infinite peace and Mother Earth.
Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or completely new to the practice, this offering provides a safe and accessible pathway to exploring mindfulness and meditation while experiencing sound bowls and frequencies in alignment with love, peace and global healing. We welcome all peace seekers ages 18 and above who desire to be in community with like-minded souls dedicated to making the world a better place.
During our time we will:

Practice stillness and self awareness through mindfulness play.
Reconnect with Mother Earth and our ancestors through peace and love.
Allow our bodies and minds to rest and reorient to our own personal spaces of peace and love through experiencing crystal sound bowl healing and layers of healing frequencies.
Illuminate the infinite peace and love in each of us individually that connects us collectively though spiritually guided meditations.
Practice self reflection and allow space to explore and journal what surfaces as you choose peace.

Please bring the following items to make the most of your meditation:

Comfortable clothing: breathable, flexible garments for various temperatures. Light layers are suggested.
Blanket, pillow, yoga mat: create a comfortable space to rest by having your own items to support your body needs.
Journal: any journal or notebook (and writing utensil) will do to capture your reflections.
Water bottle/personal beverage: hydrate!
Personal care items: natural toiletries, sunscreen and insect repellent (if meditation will be outside)
You may choose your position of comfort during the meditation. Chairs are available for use if needed. Please bring any additional personal items you may require to comfortably sit or lay down for two hours.
Open mind and heart ready and willing to explore within how we can choose love and peace in our own lives.

Schedule

10:00-10:30 am – Welcome and call in to reconnect with self and ancestors
10:30-11:30 pm – Sound bowl lifted guided meditation
11:30-11:45 am – Self-reflection, reenergize and peace out

Instructor – Takeyla Benton

Mystic on a mission, Takeyla, Mystic Key, has spent her lifetime unlocking her own divine potential – and now she’s here to help you do the same. With a wealth of spiritually directed studies and personal experiences, Mystic Key infuses her wisdom and passion for storytelling, holistic healing and spirit-centered self-mastery and divine love into her all areas of her sacred soul work. As a trusted guide, she offers Goddess and Ancestor guided spiritual consultations, reiki energy and sound healing sessions, empowering yoga and meditation coaching, illuminating podcasts and workshops and wherever spirt guides her to grow. Mystic Key empowers those who feel lost and locked into unproductive cycles to seek the keys to get out by going within.

Dates/Times
You are welcome to come to one session or more. Each session has its own registration form which will open about three months before the session.
Autumn Equinox | Saturday, Sep. 19, 2026 | 10:00 – 11:45 am
Winter Solstice | Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026 | 10:00 – 11:45 am
Cost
$37/person/session
$56/person/session with optional lunch at Holy Wisdom Monastery
Register
The registration deadline for the Sep. 19, 2026 program is Sep. 12, 2026, or when the registration reaches 35 people. There is no refund for cancellations, but registrations are transferable. Registration for later sessions will open closer to the event date.

iRest Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditation Through the Layers of Awareness
2026-09-20 16:00 - 17:15
Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation that allows one to embrace the fullness of life by moving through the various embodied layers of awareness. It creates a sense of deep peace, relaxation and nourishes resilience to deal with the stressors of everyday life. The practice has been found to regulate one’s nervous system to facilitate improved sleep and enhance overall wellbeing.
Schedule

Introduction & Intentions
Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation
Sharing of Experiences & Silence

This experience is open for people age 16 years and older.
Leader

Iris Mickey is a Certified iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher and a Certified Yoga Therapist. She has spent her whole adult life working in various fields in the Healing Arts. Iris is grateful for the depth of knowledge that her many teachers have shared with her and brings those teachings to everyday life through yoga, qigong, yoga nidra, voice as a yoga practice and individual and group sound immersion experiences.
Cost
$37/person
$56/person (with optional lunch)
Registration
The registration deadline for this event is Sep. 19, 2026. There is no refund for cancellations.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
2026-09-29 - 2026-11-24
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool to identify your physical, mental and emotional habits and needs. Becoming more familiar with your own mind and its patterns can help you relate more directly to whatever is happening in your life – including difficulty and pain – and discover greater balance and ease. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was created in 1979 and has been widely taught and scientifically studied around the world; research has shown positive improvements in physical and psychological symptoms.
Good news: you don’t need to “clear your mind.” You don’t need special equipment. This class will focus on practice; there will time for instruction, reflection, and dialogue – but at its heart mindfulness is experiential. A variety of practices will be introduced, including sitting, walking, and gently moving, and participants will be invited to practice at home between classes (with guided instructions included.) Some of the themes include patience, trust, letting-be, and stress reactivity and response.
No experience is necessary, this class welcomes beginners (and skeptics), as well as anyone with experience with mindfulness or contemplative practice. Come as you are – even thoughts, emotions and problems can be avenues for discovering more wisdom and compassion.
Schedule – All times 6:00-8:30 pm, all locations RGH 113 unless otherwise noted
The orientation session will be online, and all other sessions and Day of Mindfulness take place in-person at Holy Wisdom Monastery.

Tuesday, Sep. 29th – Virtual Orientation Session (over Zoom) – 6:00-7:30 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 6th – Session 1
Tuesday, Oct. 13th – Session 2
Tuesday, Oct. 20th – Session 3
Tuesday, Oct. 27th – Session 4
Tuesday, Nov. 3rd – Session 5
Tuesday, Nov. 10th – Session 6
Saturday, Nov. 14th – Day of Mindfulness – 9:00 am-3:00 pm (lunch included)
Tuesday, Nov. 17th – Session 7
Tuesday, Nov. 24th – Session 8

Optional meals: Dinner at the monastery is available at 5:15 pm each Tuesday for an additional $23. We offer buffet-style meals prepared by our chef from fresh, healthy, locally grown ingredients. With 48 hours notice, please contact retreats@holywisdommonastery.org to reserve a meal.
Instructor – Dan Tyler

Dan Tyler is a qualified teacher of MBSR through UCSD’s Center for Integrative Health, and is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. For nearly two decades, he has practiced and studied yoga and meditation, including periods of silent retreat.

Cost
$410/person – includes all sessions and lunch on Sat., Nov. 14
Register
The registration deadline for this series is October 4, 2026. Class size is limited to 16 and a waitlist will open when the limit is reached.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until September 28th. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

What others have said about Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Dan Tyler:
“I would recommend this course to everyone. Who doesn’t deal with stress on a daily basis and who wouldn’t benefit from learning strategies to help make life more peaceful. Each person has a personal story and life experiences that are challenging to deal with throughout their life. Knowing and practicing the strategies associated with mindfulness training can help manage everything from the smallest stressors to the great ones that shake one’s foundation.”

Be Still Art Exhibit Reception
2026-10-02 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for the opening reception of artist David Mngodo’s exhibit, Be Still, at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Mngodo is a self-taught artist whose abstract paintings in acrylics invite the observer to see things we encounter every day in a brand-new way. When painting animals and birds, his use of color and negative space tell a story and evoke deep feelings for the subject. Light refreshments will be served at the reception and David will talk about his art at 6:30 pm.
Schedule

6:00 pm – Reception opens. Light refreshments are available and the artist is available for conversation
6:30 pm – David Mngodo will talk about his art and participants are welcome to ask questions
8:00 pm – Receptions ends.

The exhibit is on display in the Monastery Gathering Area from September 22, 2026 – November 18, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.
About the Artist – David Mngodo
Artist David Mngodo was born in Tanzania and moved to the U.S. in 1999. Although he is largely self-taught, David graduated from the School of Design and Technology through Collins College in Tempe, Arizona, and an art Instructional school in Minnesota. In addition to being an artist, David is a senior pastor for East Wind Ministries based in DeForest, and is earning his Masters degree in ministry in N2N University in Harlingen, Texas.
Registration
This event is free to attend. We ask that interested participants please register by October 2nd so we may plan accordingly.

Shinrin-Yoku: Walks for the Weary
2026-10-03 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for a relaxing walk on the prairie at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
It will be a slow-paced quiet walk guided by Valerie Vervoort, a certified Shinrin-yoku guide. The intent of this 90-minute walk is renewal through using our senses of sight, hearing, touch and taste. Invitations planned by your guide are easy and subject to each person’s comfort level. Sharing and tea will be part of the experience.
Participants will need to dress appropriately for weather conditions and be able to walk a mile and a half on trails that are sometimes uneven and include gentle slopes. Walking sticks are encouraged. Walk starts and ends at the kiosk in the monastery building parking lot.
Proceeds from these walks go to support programs at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
2026 Dates/Times

Oct. 3 – 10:00-11:30 am

Leader – Valerie Vervoort
Valerie Vervoort grew up exploring the woods and Mississippi River on her family farm in Northern Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree in education and taught in daycares for many years where she was known for gardening and encouraging kids to explore the outdoors. After retirement she volunteered as the ‘Garden Grandma’ at Fox Prairie Elementary School’s gardens. In 2020, she became an Oblate at Holy Wisdom Monastery, volunteered for prairie workdays and as a trail monitor. In 2024 her interest in the land as a healer lead to getting certified as a Forest Therapy Guide in May of that year. She has since lead Forest Therapy walks for Oblates, Sunday Assembly members and a visiting college choir.

Cost
$37/person (no lunch)
$56/person (with lunch, Sep. 25 registration deadline)
Register
Please register by Oct. 2, 2026. This offering is limited to 15 people and registration will close when full. There is no refund if you need to cancel your registration.

Fall Fallowing: A Seasonal Retreat
2026-10-16 13:00 - 2026-10-17 16:00
A changing landscape palette…the final harvests from the garden…the departure of migratory creatures…these seasonal milestones are reminders to notice and integrate past growth, honoring it for its role in nurturing future growth. This fall retreat invites you to pause and mark transitions – on the prairie and in your own life and heart. It will hold space for attention to both.
Conversations about the season, walks on the prairie, naps, art, movement, journaling, great meals and welcoming accommodations will all be a part of what you can expect when you arrive. A renewed connection to nature and to yourself, along with joy in the plentitude and abundance of the season are what you can expect to take with you when you leave.
Seasonal Retreats
Each season this year, we will offer a different seasonal retreat. They will open spaces where each different season can offer its unique wisdom to us in the changing seasons of our lives. Each retreat is a two-day, one-night experience at Holy Wisdom with cozy accommodations, delicious meals, spacious time periods for solitude, reading and rest and contemplative conversations with other retreatants. There will also be a variety of opportunities to explore the prairies and the season and discover their gifts for you.
Fall Fallowing Date/Times
Fri., Oct. 16, 1:00 pm – Sat., Oct. 17, 4:00 pm, 2026
Cost
$295/person ($260/person early bird registration until September 9th, 2026)
The cost of the retreat includes program, meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch) and overnight room.
Register
The registration deadline for this retreat is October 9th, 2026, or when the retreat fills.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until October 10th. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.
After you register, if you would like to request a double room with another retreatant or if you have other questions about accommodations, please contact us at retreats@holywisdommonastery.org.
