Fostering a Natural History Community
2026-01-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The practice of natural history is the bedrock of science. This talk will illustrate how we as naturalists employ stories, specimens, exploration of the natural world and the practices of paying close attention to build our understanding of the world from the bottom up. Presenter Andrew Hipp will make a case for the importance of natural history as a set of skills and habits that help expose what we don’t yet know and build our affection for the world. Natural history puts the onus on each of us to learn something new before we lose any more pieces, and it gives us the practices to do so. Supporting and continuing to build a community of naturalists is our best way to ensure the effectiveness and strength of that community.
Schedule

11:45 am – Doors Open
11:45 am – Midday Prayer (optional)
12:00 pm – Lunch
12:45pm – Presentation Starts
1:45 pm – Q&A

Speaker – Andrew Hipp

Andrew Hipp is the Director of the Herbarium and Lead Scientist at The Morton Arboretum and a Lecturer at University of Chicago. His research group investigates the evolution of plant biodiversity, aiming to understand how the plant Tree of Life evolves and affects our world. He has received awards for his teaching and research from the U.S. Fulbright Program, National Science Teachers Association, and International Oak Society. Andrew is the author of popular books on oaks and sedges, several children’s natural history books, and more than 140 academic articles and book chapters.
Cost
$37/person.
Registration
Please register by January 21, 2026.

Monastic Monologues: Sharing Joy
2026-02-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Monastic Monologues: Sharing Joy
Step Into the Magic!
Are you ready for an afternoon bursting with wonder, adventure, and unforgettable stories and songs? Join our community for an inspiring gathering of storytellers, musicians, and singers—an event where the power of words and music truly comes alive.
From heart-pounding journeys to faraway places, to laugh-out-loud moments, soulful tales and music that touch your heart, our performers will take you on an unforgettable ride.
This isn’t just a performance, it’s an experience. One that brings people together, celebrates creativity, and weaves a kind of magic that sparks your imagination and strengthens our sense of community.
Come for the music and stories… stay for the magic!
Schedule
1:30 pm – Doors open
2:00 pm – Monastic Monologues begins
3:30 pm – Reception and “After Glow”
Storytellers, Musicians & Emcee

Jane Barnard is a Madison-based writer, visual artist and watercolor teacher. She’s reading from her memoir-in-progress, entitled ” Poetry as Pain Relief,” about her spiritual journey of surviving dark times with beauty, with humor and grace. She celebrates the artists who have seeped into her bones, to soothe her loneliness and bring her joy.

You can learn more about Jane at her website.

Ann Baltes (right) and Bill Rosholt (left) are members of Sunday Assembly and have cherished being
connected to this beloved community of communities over many years, musically and
otherwise. They also consider it an extraordinary gift to have raised their daughter,
Grace, at Holy Wisdom as an ecumenical Benedictine. Ann has a background serving in
parishes and other settings in the areas of pastoral care, adult and youth faith formation,
liturgical music, and retreat facilitation. Bill works as a Systems Development Test
Engineer for Exact Sciences in Madison. Ann and Bill met as undergrads studying voice
and singing in choirs at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. They are both choral music
enthusiasts having sung continuously since high school students in various choirs in
Iowa, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They have sung regularly in Madison and
surrounding areas as both choral artists and soloists with the Isthmus Vocal Ensemble,
Wisconsin Chamber Choir, Madison Choral Project, Cheers Madison, and Madison
Savoyards
Jean Feraca’s favorite 2024 Christmas gift is a coffee cup from an anonymous donor that reads, “I am Kind of a Big Deal in Wisconsin.” Famous as a talk show host on Wisconsin Public Radio, Jean was a writer before she became a broadcaster. The award-winning author of three books of poetry and the memoir, I Hear Voices: a Memoir of Love, Death, and the Radio, Jean teaches in UW-Odyssey, the humanities program she co-founded, and in Wisconsin prisons with the Prison Ministry Project.
Jean is a Sunday Assembly member, Benedictine Oblate since 2016, and one of the Monastic Monologues presenters. Jean’s a beloved voice of Wisconsin Public Radio and a true original. For 28 years, Jean was the host and producer on WPR’s Ideas Network, best known for the award-winning program Here on Earth: Radio Without Borders. Her work has beautifully blended humanities, poetry, curiosity, and community, making her one of the most respected and recognizable figures in public radio. She joined WPR in 1983 as a humanities producer and went on to host some of the network’s most memorable shows. Jean’s award-winning series, “Women of Spirit” was developed with the help of the Benedictine Sisters here at Holy Wisdom.
But what really makes Jean shine is her warmth, wit, and ability to laugh at herself. When asked about her funniest moments on air, she didn’t hesitate to share a few gems from her broadcasting life. There was the day she opened her own show with, “Good morning, I’m Jean Ferrara,” accidentally mispronouncing her own name. Or the time she invited her big brother on as a guest—“big mistake,” she laughs—only to have him greet her on air with, “You already made a mistake!” And then there’s the moment she’ll never quite live down: introducing “Wisconsin’s most famous baseball player… Brett Favre!”
Join us for a performance by Jean Feraca during Monastic Monologues and enjoy stories, humor, and insight from a master storyteller whose voice—and laughter—have been part of Wisconsin’s cultural fabric for decades.

Bill Frederick is the Director of Worship and Music at Holy Wisdom Monastery. He studied voice at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville while earning a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Gerald Darrow. He has been leading music and liturgy in various Churches full-time over the past 40 years. 33 years ago, Bill and Steve Johnson founded “Enter the Season With Song,” a group of musicians who gather for Christmas and summer concerts. The group has recorded three CDs and has given every dollar raised from every concert, a total exceeding $250,000, to various charities.

Max Harris earned his B.A. in English from Cambridge University and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. Over the years, he’s taught in a range of fields—from Latin American Studies to Psychiatry at the University of Virginia, and Religion and Literature at Yale Divinity School. He’s also written six books, including Carnival and Other Christian Festivals (University of Texas Press) and Sacred Folly: A New History of the Feast of Fools (Cornell University Press).
Beyond academia, Max has pastored Presbyterian churches in England, Virginia, Maryland, and Wisconsin. But if you ask him what really matters, he’ll tell you it’s not the titles or the books—it’s his 52-year (and counting!) marriage to Ann, and the gracious, saving work of the Holy Spirit that continues to shape their life together.

Steve Johnson is the Director of Music Ministry at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Madison. He has worked for the past 30+ years in various churches as Director of Liturgy and Music. Steve studied voice and piano at the University of Wisconsin-Madison while earning a degree in k-12 music education.

Terry Larson is a previous Protestant pastor who prefers poetry, pollinator plants, preaching, progressive people, polite politicians, pithy plots, pleasing prairies, plentiful portions of produce and…alliteration.

Janet Neurauter’s first time on stage was as a reindeer in her 2nd-grade holiday pageant and was actively involved in theater throughout school and with the Nicolet Players in Rhinelander, WI. She enjoys writing short stories and monologues and is working on her second play.

Originally from Michigan, Bill Santer II has called Wisconsin home since 1987. With a background in marketing, education and the arts, he now enjoys helping people find their perfect home as a realtor. At Sunday Assembly, Bill feels fortunate to be part of a welcoming, earth-conscious community that celebrates kindness, open-minded conversation and shared purpose. Whether he’s helping someone settle into a new home, concert-going, telling stories or connecting with his community, Bill brings a genuine spirit of curiosity, care and joy to everything he does.

Susan Santner is a passionate and versatile storyteller who loves to bring stories to life. She’s shared her tales at festivals, schools, libraries and community events across the region, captivating audiences of all ages. With experience as an actress, theatre director, puppeteer and library director, Susan’s creativity shines through in every performance. Her storytelling is lively, imaginative and full of heart, inviting listeners to step right into the world of her stories.

George Teague is a Madison-based cellist and teacher. He maintains an active studio at home and at UW-Steven’s Point. George received his performance degrees from Northern Arizona University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Eivind Hansen Photography
Patrick Terry was born and raised in Janesville, WI, and has been heard on operatic stages across the world. Career highlights include singing Eustazio at the Glyndebourne Festival, Rinaldo with the Minnesota Opera, Rosencratz with the Bayerische Staatsoper and premiering Brett Dean’s ‘In this brief moment’ with the Elbphilharmonie. He earned his degrees from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, The Royal Academy of Music in London and was the first countertenor to join the Jette Parker Young Artist program at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.

Cost and Registration
There is no cost to register, but we ask that guests register so we may plan accordingly. We also ask that guests consider a goodwill donation to help support the monastery. There will be a physical donation box at the event for anyone who wants to donate in-person or you may make an online donation when you register with the button below.

Conversations About Our Benedictine Life: Balance
2026-02-03 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-02-22 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Deepen your understanding of Benedictine spirituality by joining us for one or more Conversations About Our Benedictine Life: Balance. These gatherings offer time for reflection, for the contemplation of short readings about balance and moderation from the Rule of Benedict and other wise authors, and the goodness of being part of the shared way of Benedictine life. The rhythm of Benedictine monastic life – work, study, prayer, rest – is a rhythm of balance that can bring depth and peace to our days. Come listen to Benedict and each other with the ears of your heart; explore the challenges and the gifts of living a life of balance and moderation.

These sessions are open to any adult who relates to any of the Holy Wisdom Monastery communities.

Centering Prayer Groups - 1st Wednesday
2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Centering Prayer Groups
All are welcome to join our two centering prayer groups which meet on alternating Wednesdays. Both incorporate a short reading and time for silent prayer or meditation.

1st and 3rd Wednesdays

7:00-8:00 pm
Retreat & Guest House Room 10
Includes a short walking meditation in between periods of seated meditation
For more information contact Barb Abbott, 608-284-7424

2nd and 4th Wednesdays

2:30-3:30 pm
Monastery Oratory –
Two, 20-minute periods of seated meditation with a 5-minute break
For more information contact Carole Kretschman, 608-577-3243

We feel the presence of the Holy One even more strongly than when we center by ourselves. … Our prayer has less outward distractions for that hour than if we center at home. … Having the group supports us in our prayer life.

Nine Phases of Qi Cultivation: A Progressive Qigong Series for Home Use
2026-02-05 10:15 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join Sandy Salvo, Senior Trainer for the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, in a three-part series to learn nine simple yet powerful Qigong movements for cultivating your life force energy. By understanding the philosophy behind the Nine Phases Practice you will be able to more fully integrate your body, heart/mind and spirit to promote health and well-being. Leave feeling vibrant and centered, ready for the joys and challenges of your day. No experience or equipment necessary. All are welcome!
Event Schedule
Session 1, Feb. 5: Philosophy behind the 9 Phases plus learn and practice Phases 1-5
Session 2, Feb. 12: Review Phases 1-5 and learn Phases 6-9
Session 3, Feb. 19: Integrate the 9 Phases of Qi Cultivation with intention and affirmations
Consider extending your experience by staying longer and attending optional prayer and/or lunch at the monastery. There is a fee for lunch if you decide to stay.

11:45 am – Midday Prayer: All are welcome to join the sisters’ community and guests for communal prayer in the Oratory (lower level of the monastery building). Click to learn more about prayer at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
12:00 pm – Lunch ($19): Enjoy a delicious meal prepared fresh by our chefs. Email retreats@holywisdommonastery.org to reserve your meal 48 hours in advance. Please specify which date/dates you wish to stay for lunch.

Instructor – Sandy Salvo

Sandy Salvo is a Senior Faculty and Teacher-Trainer for the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and founder of Centered-Connections.com. She enjoys sharing her love of Qigong and the mind-body-spirit benefits it can offer all who seek them.

Cost
$40/person
Register
Register by Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, with the button below. The registration fee is non-refundable.

Neurographic Art: A Contemplative Practice
2026-02-07 09:00 - 13:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Neurographic Art is a contemplative practice that taps into the healing power of creativity. Can’t draw a straight line? Perfect! This workshop is for those with or without previous art experience. Participants will learn the basics of Neurographic Art and create their own work which will be suitable for framing. All supplies will be provided, including a mat for the art created and handouts to take home. Join us to learn about this contemplative, feel-good art practice that provides relaxation, reduces stress and increases creativity.
Due to popular demand, we have opened a second session (of the same program) in the afternoon.
Schedule
Session I: 9:00 am-12:00 pm | Session II: 1:00-4:00 pm

9:00-10:00 am | 1:00-2:00 pm – Welcome and introduction to Neurographic Art (Power Point and demonstration)
10:00-11:30 am | 2:00-3:30 pm – Participants will make their own work of art using the techniques described and demonstrated
11:30-11:45 am | 3:30-3:45 pm – The class will gather together to view everyone’s art and share their insights and experience

11:45-12:00 pm – Midday Prayer (optional)
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch (optional – participants in either session can stay for lunch for an additional fee)

Leader – Janet Neurauter

Janet Neurauter is a coworker at Holy Wisdom Monastery. She has led the Neurographic Art workshop four times – once for coworkers, once for the public and twice for the Center for Clergy Renewal participants.

Cost
There are two cost options for this program: one with lunch and one without.

$37/person, includes program and all supplies
$56/person, includes program, all supplies and lunch

Register
This event is limited to 20 participants and registration will close when the event is filled or on the registration deadline, Feb. 6, 2026.
Sessions I and II are both full.
The registration fee is non-refundable.

Handmade Fresh Pasta Workshop: Exploring the Heritage of Fresh Pasta
2026-02-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Rescheduled from Jan. 19 to Feb. 16
Join Holy Wisdom Monastery’s own Chef Felipe Saint-Martin in a hands-on cooking class, where you will learn how to make authentic northern Italian recipes on your own. In the first of its kind at Holy Wisdom, the Handmade Fresh Pasta Workshop will use cuisine to explore the relationship between agriculture and grains, as well as the diverse cultural iterations of bread- and pasta-making.
Using fresh ingredients grown on the monastery grounds, participants will knead, roll and cut their way to a delicious and heartwarming experience exclusive to Holy Wisdom.

Menu
Appetizer – Winter Root and Kale Salad

Creating a maple-mustard vinaigrette from scratch, learn about flavor diffusion while working with seasonal Wisconsin produce.

Main Course – Cappelletti al Brodo

After kneading, rolling and cutting pasta dough from scratch, participants will learn how to shape and stuff cappelletti pasta with locally grown squash, ricotta, parmesan and fresh winter herbs.
Substituting vegetables for meat, learn how to make a sweet, nutty broth traditionally served during winter in northern Italy.

Mocktail – Spiced Cranberry Glow

Complementing the winter menu, enjoy a non-alcoholic spritzer made of sparkling water, fresh cranberry juice, honey-ginger syrup and a hint of cinnamon. Served over ice with an orange slice.

Leader – 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 Trois Gros 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.

Cost and registration
$89/person.
Limited to 25 participants. There are no refunds for cancellations.
Wear closed-toe shoes that you feel comfortable standing in for about two hours, and have long hair tied back. Please be aware that this workshop cannot accommodate gluten-free or vegan dietary restrictions.

Ash Wednesday
2026-02-18 11:45 - 12:00, 2026-02-18 17:30 - 18:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
On Ash Wednesday, March 18th, all are invited to join the sisters for midday prayer with ashes at 11:45 am in the Oratory. You may also join us in the Assembly Room at 5:30 pm for the Liturgy of the Word with ashes. The choir will sing.

Our Lenten practice at the monastery throughout the season of Lent and Holy Week, is that silence be observed in the Assembly Room 10 minutes before Sunday Assembly Liturgy begins. We suggest using this time to center ourselves before our Creator. The greeters will keep the doors of the Assembly Room closed so that conversation in the gathering area does not disrupt this important time of prayer.

Grace & Reflection: A Courage & Renewal® Weekend
2026-02-20 19:00 - 2026-02-22 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Grace & Reflection: A Courage & Renewal® Weekend
Each renewal weekend will include creating a quiet, focused, and enlivened space — a Circle of Trust® — where personal, inner wisdom can be heard. There will be a mix of time spent in large group, small group, and individual reflection along with poetry, teaching stories, wisdom traditions, nature, and activities for exploration. We will use these experiences and other rich metaphors to symbolize and discover and explore life questions. Together, we will experience creating spaces in our lives to tend and nurture our desire to live fully with courage and resilience.

Revitalize your commitment to the values that give meaning to your life.
Increase your ability to listen openly and be present.
Learn reflective practices to become more intentional.
Explore questions to build and sustain community.
Expand trustworthy and authentic relationships.

The Circle of Trust® approach is based on the work of Dr. Parker J. Palmer, Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal, who is a world-renowned writer, speaker and activist. Explore the principles, practices and resources from the Center for Courage & Renewal: https://couragerenewal.org/courage-renewal-approach/
This program is being independently organized and led by a Courage & Renewal Facilitator(s) prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal.
Schedule
Friday, February 20
3:00 pm – Check-in for Retreatants Staying in RGH
6:30 pm – Registration
7:00-9:00 pm – Session One
Saturday, February 21
9:00-10:15 am – Session Two
10:15-10:30 am – Break
10:30 am-12:00 pm – Session Three
12:00-1:30 pm – Lunch and Free Time
1:30-3:00 pm – Session Four
3:00-3:15 pm – Break
3:30-5:00 pm – Session Five
5:15 pm – Dinner
Sunday, February 22
10:00 am-12:00 pm – Session Six
Leaders – Mary Louise Peters, MSE & Amy Christianson, EdD

Mary Louise Peters is a Courage & Renewal® Facilitator, providing retreats and renewal experiences since 2010. She has worked as an educator and consultant at local, state and national levels to improve early childhood and special education for children and families, teaching practices and conditions for staff, and state educational systems.

Amy Christianson recently completed the Courage & Renewal® Practicum Program. Amy has been a participant in a number of seasonal and Circle of Trust retreats. She has a long professional career in education within early childhood, K-12 and higher education settings. Amy’s background includes educational leadership, organizational change and working with diverse populations.

Cost
$250 commuter; $435 residential
Register
Please register by February 13, 2026. The maximum number of participants is 18 and registration will close when full.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until February 13, 2026. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

Upcoming Courage & Renewal Weekend
Save the dates for the next Courage & Renewal Weekend, May 29-31, “Wonder and Hope”

Lent Series: Contemplating Jesus as "I Am" (in-person)
2026-02-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The mystical symbols, sacred texts and wisdom traditions in the Gospel of John are designed to reveal the Holy One, the great “I AM,” through Jesus. Come explore with us these symbols and texts, enliven your spiritual imagination, be part of a contemplative community as your Lenten practice this year.
Schedule
Each 90-minute session will include a flow of teachings, readings, small group conversations, large group sharings and contemplative silence.
Dates/Times – Lent 2026
This is a 5-part series, offered in-person at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:30 am, and online on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm.
In-Person at Holy Wisdom Monastery – 10:00 – 11:30 am

Feb. 24
Mar. 3
Mar. 10
Mar. 17
Mar. 24

11:45 am – Midday Prayer: All are welcome to join the sisters’ community and guests for communal prayer in the Oratory (lower level of the monastery building). Click to learn more about prayer at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
12:00 pm – Lunch ($19): Enjoy a delicious meal prepared fresh by our chefs. Email retreats@holywisdommonastery.org to reserve your meal 48 hours in advance. Please specify which date/dates you wish to stay for lunch.

Virtual – 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Feb. 25
Mar. 4
Mar. 11
Mar. 18
Mar. 25

Leader – Pam Shellberg

Pam Shellberg is the director of spiritual nourishment at Holy Wisdom Monastery, a student of sacred texts, an educator, and a contemplative. It is always a joy for her to be able to facilitate critical and contemplative readings of scripture as nourishment during sacred seasons.

Cost
$65 per person or screen for the series.
Register
Please register by Feb. 22, 2026 for the in-person or virtual Lent series. If you need to cancel your registration, there are no refunds, but you are welcome to share your registration with someone who could come in your place.

Lent Series: Contemplating Jesus as "I Am" (Virtual)
2026-02-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States

Wisdom Prairie Winter Tour
2026-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for an experience for everyone to explore the seasonal beauty found on the monastery grounds in winter. Knowledgeable tour guides will share the story of caring for the earth and help participants deepen their relationship with this land. Tour will cover 1-1.5 miles on walking trails at a leisurely pace.
Meet at the kiosk in the monastery building parking lot (take the right fork in the driveway). Tours will take place in small groups. We will proceed with the tour in the event of light to moderate rain or snow but will cancel for thunderstorms or other severe weather.
Cost
There is no cost to participants for this tour. Donations to Care for the Earth are always welcome.
Register
Please register so we have enough tour guides and can contact you in case we need to cancel due to weather.
If you registered for this event but can no longer attend, please fill out this form to let us know of your cancellation.

Ink and Insight Mindful Writing Circle
2026-03-01 10:15 - 12:15 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for a quarterly gathering that blends creative writing and mindfulness in a supportive, inclusive space. Whether you identify as a writer or simply enjoy exploring your inner voice, this group offers you a gentle rhythm of reflective writing (with optional prompts), sharing in community, and contemplative practices like guided meditation and mindful walking outdoors, weather permitting.
Come as you are. No experience needed — just a willingness to pause, listen, and write. You’ll leave with new words, insights, and connections.
Dates/Times – Sundays from 10:15 am-12:15 pm

Jan. 25
Mar. 1
Jun. 7
Nov. 1

Schedule

10:15 am – Welcome, housekeeping, and settling in
10:30 am – Guided meditation
10:45 am – Writing session #1 with optional small-group sharing
11:00 am – Contemplative walking and writing session #2
11:30 am – Writing session #3
11:45 am – Sharing in big group (optional)
12:15 pm – Close

Leader – Rebecca Jamieson

Rebecca Jamieson is the author of The Body of All Things (Finishing Line Press, 2017). She is the recipient of a 2025 Wisconsin Writers Award, the 2024 Tupelo Press Prose Prize, and is a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Rattle, The Offing, Mid-American Review, and Entropy, and she’s currently at work on a collection of personal essays. Rebecca lives on Ho-Chunk land in Madison, Wisconsin. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, baking, or cuddling her two cats.

Cost
$50/person
Registration
Limited to 25 people.

Ancient Trails, Ancient Tales: The Archaeology of Madison
2026-03-06 12:00 - 14:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
This talk will provide a sweeping overview of the last 14,000 years of human history in and around Tee Jope (The Four Lakes area of Madison). From caribou to dugout canoes, effigy mounds to ancient trails, Wisconsin’s archaeological sites have much to tell us about the past. Program also includes lunch by the Holy Wisdom culinary team.
Schedule

11:45 am – Doors open
Noon – Lunch
12:45 pm – Presentation “Ancient Trails, Ancient Tales”
1:45 pm – Q&A and wrap up

Speaker – Dr. Amy Rosebrough
Dr. Amy Rosebrough is the Wisconsin State Archaeologist, in the State Historic Preservation Office of the Wisconsin Historical Society. In her current position at the Wisconsin Historical Society, she manages archaeological and burial sites data, assists Wisconsin’s citizens with archaeological questions, and serves as a subject matter expert.
Cost
$47/person (in-person)
OR
$15 (recording sent after event)
Register
Please register with the button below by Feb. 26, 2026.

Family Gathering
2026-03-07 15:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
All families with children are invited to a special Lenten Family Gathering, Saturday, March 7, 3:00-6:00 pm.
Join us for a Family Gathering to experience the joy of anticipation in community. At this event, school-age children will gather to learn and play together, and childcare for the littlest ones is provided. Parents and caregivers will have some free-choice time to enjoy all the Monastery has to offer. The gathering will conclude with a shared meal.
Children ages 6-9 are invited to join Sarah Wilkin Gibart for prayer and creative work time. We will explore the rich theme of Lent.
Parents, this is an opportunity to enjoy the monastery and catch a breath in this busy season! You may choose to join in the children’s program, or take in the art exhibit, relax in the library, bring a project of your own, or simply have time for coffee and conversation.
Registration cost includes a simple entree prepared by the culinary team using fresh, seasonal offerings (families may also wish to bring a side dish or dessert to share).
Schedule
3:00 pm – Gather
~3:30-5:15 pm – Programming/free time
5:15 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Adjourn
Leader
Sarah Wilkin Gibart is a teacher of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd who leads regular Children’s Prayer during Sunday Assembly worship. Nichole Rasmus (formerly Nichole Fromm), our Childcare and Support Specialist, will provide childcare for the younger children.
Cost
$25/family
Questions
Please contact Sarah: sjwilkin09@gmail.com or Nichole: nrasmus@holywisdommonastery.org with any questions.

iRest Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditation Through the Layers of Awareness
2026-03-08 16:00 - 17:15 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
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
Registration
The registration deadline for this event is March 7, 2026. There is no refund for cancellations.

Native Plant Sale
2026-03-13 - 2026-05-11 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Native Plant Sale & Fundraiser
Make your garden a beautiful, vibrant landscape while supporting birds, bees, butterflies, and other native wildlife! Gardening with native plants is a wonderful way to decrease water and nutrient usage, create environments with plants that bloom throughout the seasons, and provide critical resources to winged, crawling, and hopping wildlife.
This spring, when you order native plants through our special Native Plant Sale with Johnson’s Nursery out of Menomonee Falls, you get native plants delivered to Middleton, WI or the eastside of Madison on May 17, AND 15% of the sale totals go to Holy Wisdom Monastery, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and SOS Save Our Songbirds.

Learn more & order

Hidden Glimmers: Weaving Contemplative Photography and Haiku Art Exhibit Reception
2026-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | WI
Sandy Wojtal-Weber and David McKee have known each other since the early 1990s and are pleased to share how their artistic endeavors in the visual and written word come together in this exhibit. Hidden Glimmers: Weaving Contemplative Photography and Haiku is a collaboration of their individual talents.
Event Schedule

6:00 pm – Reception opens
6:30 pm – Sandy and David will share their thoughts about their work, collaboration, and answer questions
8:00 pm – Reception concludes

Light refreshments will be provided by the artists.
Artists – Sandy Wojtal-Weber and David McKee

Sandy Wojtal-Weber is a professional fine arts photographer and retired clinical social worker. She founded ‘On the Borderline Project,’ a self-esteem building photography program for adolescent girls which ran for 10 years in Madison earning her the ‘North Star Community Award’ for outstanding contributions to the Northside community of Madison, WI. She currently teaches a contemplative photography program through UW Health Mindfulness Program. She has exhibited her work extensively in Madison and at the Chicago Field Museum.

David McKee is a haiku poet and retired psychotherapist living in Madison. He is an oblate of Holy Wisdom Monastery and serves as lead shepherd for the Oblate formation program. His haiku have been published in various journals including Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Acorn, Kingfisher, Bones, Presence and Password. His work has also been anthologized in a variety of publications and he was invited to join a group of 17 haiku poets in sharing large selections of their haiku in the ‘New Resonance’ series published by Red Moon Press.

Hidden Glimmers: Weaving Contemplative Photography and Haiku Exhibit
The exhibit is on display in the Monastery Gathering Area from February 4 – May 5, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Registration
Please register for the art exhibit reception by March 6, 2026, in order to have enough refreshments.

Lenten Taizé Prayer & Soup Lunch
2026-03-20 11:00 - 13:00 | WI
Prayer in the spirit of the Taizé community is a meditative form of common prayer. Gathered in the presence of Christ, we sing uncomplicated, repetitive songs, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity and invoking the Holy Spirit to enter our prayer.

Taizé Prayer will replace midday prayer on March 20 in the assembly room. Please join us following prayer for lunch in the dining room.
Schedule
11:00 am – Taizé will begin
12:00 pm – Lunch
Cost and Registration
There is no cost to attend the Taizé prayer, but please register below by March 13th so we may plan accordingly for lunch.

Anointing of the Sick
2026-03-22 10:15 - 11:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will take place at Holy Wisdom Monastery in the Oratory on Sunday, March 22nd, following Sunday Assembly. If you are sick and in need of the healing presence of the Holy Spirit – perhaps you have a diagnosis, or you are waiting for test results, maybe you have a surgery coming up, if you are sad and full of anxiety, whatever the issues – this sacrament is for you. Allow the prayers of this community to wash over you and let the Spirit calm your heart and soul. Be assured that the sisters, coworkers, the oblates and members of Sunday Assembly are all keeping you in prayer. Please plan to join us.

Poetic Contemplation and the Divinity Within
2026-03-28 08:00 - 16:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Anchored to a conversation between carpenter-priest William Beers and philosopher poet John Koethe, participants will explore the meanings of being human in the contemporary world. Physics, the social sciences, philosophy and theology provide the cultural and personal context for contemplating the imagination, memory and mourning in the creation of meaning.
No experience needed, just a willingness to stretch your knowledge, imagination and awareness. We will inhabit the poems of John Koethe and others to deepen our contemplative awareness of the world and the divinity within. Please join us for this deep dive into modernity and modern poetry.
It is highly recommended that you pick up a copy of John Koethe’s thin volume of poetry, Cemeteries and Galaxies (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2025) in advance. It is the collection central to this conversation between John and Bill. Some copies will be available for purchase the day of the event.
If you’d like to purchase a copy in advance of the event, contact Pam Shellberg at pshellberg@holywisdommonastery.org.
Schedule

8:00 am – Arrivals, Welcome, Gathering, Settling in
8:30 – 10:00 am – Session One
10:00 – 10:15 am – Break
10:15 am – 12:00 pm – Session Two
12:00 – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Session Three
2:30 – 2:45 pm – Break
2:45 – 3:45 pm – Session Four
3:45 – 4:00 pm – Wrap-up

Speakers – Rev. William Beers, PhD and John Koethe, PhD
The Rev. William Beers, PhD, has been a carpenter and cabinetmaker for 50 years. A former hospital chaplain and university instructor, Bill has studied the relationships among suffering, mourning and the creation of meaning. His book, Women and Sacrifice, explores the gendered origins of sacred violence. For 20 years he was a fundraiser for an international Christian relief organization, traveling throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America.
John Koethe, PhD, has published 20 books of poetry and has received the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and the Frank O’Hara Award for Poetry. He has also published books on Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosophical skepticism and poetry, as well as the recent essay collection, Thought and Poetry. He is a distinguished professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Cost
$87/person includes lunch
Register
The registration deadline for this program is March 22, 2026. There is a 75% refund for cancellations before the March 22 deadline and a 50% refund for cancellations from the registration deadline until the start of the program.

Holy Week Silent Retreat
2026-04-02 16:00 - 2026-04-05 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Anyone who would like to experience a deep and sustained silence in the quiet companionship of others is invited to the Holy Week Silent Retreat. For some, this retreat will be an opportunity to contemplate and participate in – with greater intention – the texts, liturgies and prayers of Holy Week. For all, it is an invitation to live the rhythms of monastic life in an extended retreat experience. Optional contemplative engagements (e.g. journal prompts, walking meditations and opportunities for artistic expression) will add depth to the experience, as will opportunities for lectio divina and shared reflections on the meaning and mystery of these days.
Retreat Schedule
Thursday, April 2

4:00 pm
Orientation
Retreat & Guest House (RGH) 110

4:30 pm
Brief introduction to the weekend and to each other
RGH 110

5:00 pm
Dinner and continued orientation
Members of Sunday Assembly and other guests at tonight’s liturgy will be sharing a meal in the Monastery Guest Dining Room. We will go through the serving line and eat in the smaller Community Dining Room. We will meet the sisters, complete the orientation and then have some time to gather – if you wish to do so – with the other guests.
Monastery Community Dining Room

6:00 pm
Holy Thursday Liturgy
After this liturgy, we enter into silence until Sat. dinner
Monastery Assembly Room

8:30-9:30 pm
Companioned silence
RGH 222

Friday, April 3

Breakfast on your own
RGH 108

7:35 am
Centering prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

8:00 am
Morning prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

10:00 am
Lectio divina and contemplative dialogue to prepare for Good Friday liturgy
RGH 110

11:45 am
Midday prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

Noon
Lunch (in silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

3:00 pm
Good Friday liturgy
Monastery Assembly Room

5:00 pm
Dinner (in silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

7:30-9:30 pm
Companioned silence
RGH 222

Saturday, April 4

Breakfast on your own
RGH 108

7:35 am
Centering prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

8:00 am
Morning prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

10:00 am
Lectio divina and contemplative dialogue to prepare for Easter Vigil liturgy
RGH 110

11:45 am
Midday prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

Noon
Lunch (in silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

Afternoon
Afternoon spent in silence
RGH 110 for companioned silence

5:00 pm
Dinner (we break the silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

7:30 pm
Easter Vigil
Monastery Assembly Room

After Vigil
Refreshments
Monastery Guest Dining Room

Meet for companioned conversation about the retreat, and a closing ritual for those departing early
RGH 110

Sunday, April 5

Breakfast on your own
RGH 108

8:00 am
Morning prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

9:00 am
Easter Sunday Eucharist
Monastery Assembly Room

Immediately following Eucharist
A final gathering from which we take leave from one another
Community Dining Room

11:30 am
Departure

Facilitator – Pam Shellberg
Pam is the director of spiritual nourishment at Holy Wisdom Monastery. As a scripture scholar and educator, she is eager invite people into a deeper appreciation of the texts that shape the Holy Week liturgies. As someone with a contemplative spirit, she is eager to co-create with retreatants a rich and meaningful experience of silence.
Cost
$360/person, includes silent retreat, overnights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; dinners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; lunches on Friday and Saturday; and breakfasts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Registration
Please register by March 25, 2026.
There is a 75% refund for cancellations before the March 25 registration deadline, and a 50% refund for cancellations from March 25 until the start of the retreat on April 2.

Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Have you volunteered with Holy Wisdom Monastery? We want to thank you! Please join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at Holy Wisdom Monastery on April 9, 2026. This is the sisters’ and coworkers’ way of expressing our gratitude for all the time and effort you have generously given to our communities. We hope you can join us for a delicious meal and some well-deserved recognition for your hard work. This lunch is open to all monastery volunteers, including those who support our communities (Oblates, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Sunday Assembly, Center for Clergy Renewal) and those who support our general operations (kitchen, front desk, committees, board, etc.).
Reservations will be accepted until April 2nd.
Schedule
11:45 am – Midday prayer (optional)
12:00 pm – Lunch is served
12:30 pm – Comments/thanks
Cost
Monastery volunteers are invited to a free lunch.
Register
Please register below for this event by April 2, 2026, so we know how much food to prepare.

Spring Emergence: A Seasonal Retreat
2026-04-14 08:00 - 2026-04-15 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
A faint gauze of spring green is appearing on the prairie’s winter browns, welcoming you to look for your own signs of new growth. What is emerging can’t be hurried, but calls for patient restraint and holding a space for quiet wonder. This spring retreat invites you sit with the first indications of a new season of life – on the prairie and in your own life and heart. It will hold space for your hushed anticipation and gentle tending.
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 anticipation of new things emerging 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.
Upcoming Retreats

Summer Plentitude – July 14-15, 2026 (Wed./Thu.)

Fall Fallowing – October 16-17, 2026 (Fri./Sat.)

Spring Emergence Date/Times
Tue., Apr. 14, 8:00 am – Wed., Apr. 15, 12:00 pm, 2026
Cost
$260/person
The cost of the retreat includes program, meals (Tuesday lunch, dinner and Wednesday breakfast) and overnight room.
Register
The registration deadline for this retreat is April 2, 2026, or when the retreat fills.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until April 3rd. 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.

Family Gathering
2026-04-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
All families with children are invited to Family Gathering on Saturday, April 18, 3:00-6:00 pm.
Join us for a Family Gathering to experience the joy of anticipation in community. At this event, school-age children will gather to learn and play together, and childcare for the littlest ones is provided. Parents and caregivers will have some free-choice time to enjoy all the Monastery has to offer. The gathering will conclude with a shared meal.
Children ages 6-9 are invited to join Sarah Wilkin Gibart for prayer and creative work time.
Parents, this is an opportunity to enjoy the monastery and catch a breath in this busy season! You may choose to join in the children’s program, or take in the art exhibit, relax in the library, bring a project of your own, or simply have time for coffee and conversation.
Registration cost includes a simple entree prepared by the culinary team using fresh, seasonal offerings (families may also wish to bring a side dish or dessert to share).
Schedule
3:00 pm – Gather
~3:30-5:15 pm – Programming/free time
5:15 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Adjourn
Leader
Sarah Wilkin Gibart is a teacher of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd who leads regular Children’s Prayer during Sunday Assembly worship. Nichole Rasmus (formerly Nichole Fromm), our Childcare and Support Specialist, will provide childcare for the younger children.
Cost
$25/family
Questions
Please contact Sarah: sjwilkin09@gmail.com or Nichole: nrasmus@holywisdommonastery.org with any questions.
Registration
Please register by April 8, 2026.
