Holy Wisdom Monastery’s Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal Welcomes Scott Stoner as New Co-director

Holy Wisdom MonasteryECCSR, Press release 2 Comments

Middleton, WI—The Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) offers Christian pastors contemplative renewal experiences into the monastic rhythms of Holy Wisdom Monastery, and an ongoing community of resources and support. As the ECCSR begins its fourth year of bringing experiences of contemplative renewal to early and mid-career clergy, it is blessed to announce that The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner will begin his work as a co-director of the Center.

“I was blessed to have been on the planning team for the ECCSR and have been a small part of the cohort programming from the beginning. Thus, I know firsthand what a gem this program is and how fully it meets the deeply felt need so many clergy have for spiritual renewal. I see my new work with the ECCSR as a Spirit-inspired next step as it provides for the opportunity to integrate the national work that I have been doing with the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Ministry for the last 12 years. To have the opportunity to come alongside and work with Nancy Enderle (the other co-director) and the communities of Holy Wisdom Monastery is a dream come true for me. The excitement I feel about this opportunity is matched only by the immense gratitude I feel for this opportunity to support the well-being of clergy and the people they serve,” explained Scott Stoner.

Scott has served the community for almost 40 years of ordained ministry (Episcopal) as both
a pastor and a marriage and family therapist. His passion in ministry is the integration of spirituality, healing and wellness, with a special emphasis on clergy wellness and creating resources for use in local congregations. In addition to his coaching and counseling work, he also served as a senior pastor of a congregation in the Milwaukee, WI area from 2001-2008.

He is the founder of the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Ministry, a national wellness ministry that creates and provides a wide range of educational and small-group resources for adults, teens, parents and congregations. From 2013-2020 Scott led wellness retreats and trainings for clergy and laypeople at the Nicholas Center in Chicago, and now looks forward to integrating that work into the work of the ECCSR at Holy Wisdom Monastery.

“The ECCSR has always been a Spirit-led endeavor since the time it was conceived in 2018, through the recent successful completion of the second cohort of pastors from across the country. It is no surprise that the Spirit nudged Scott Stoner to Holy Wisdom Monastery at precisely the right time. Scott’s tremendous gifts and depth of leadership in ministerial service are the perfect match to continue to expand the work of the ECCSR. The opportunity to combine the strengths of two, highly successful, programs with national and international reputations will empower both Living Compass and the ECCSR to have broader and deeper impact in our collective efforts to help clergy thrive in ministry,” explained Holy Wisdom Monastery’s CEO Charles McLimans.

“I am excited to shape the next chapter of this important work with Scott. He brings wonderful skills and a deep contemplative heart for helping pastors,” said The Rev. Nancy Enderle who has served the ECCSR as co-director since 2019.

Holy Wisdom Monastery is a retreat and meeting center and Benedictine monastery in Middleton, WI that is open to all. The monastery, established in 1953 is home to a Community of Communities, including the Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) which was started with a Lilly Endowment grant. The mission of weaving prayer, hospitality, justice and care for the earth into a shared way of life is lived out by all of the communities at the monastery. Holy Wisdom Monastery also offers spirituality experiences and environmental education programs throughout the year, prairie restoration volunteer opportunities and Christian church services every Sunday. More information on Holy Wisdom Monastery and the ECCSR is available on their website at HolyWisdomMonastery.org or by calling 608-836-1631.

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Comments 2

  1. I EXTEND A WARM AND SUPPORTIVE BLESSING TO SCOTT, HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ALL HE HOLDS DEAR TO HIS HEART. HOLY WISDOM IS A REMARKABLE AND SPIRIT BLESSED PIECE OF DIVINE WISDOM SO GENTLY PLACED ON A SPOT OF GROUND THAT WITH CARE AND ATTENTION IS BEING RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL PRAIRIE STATE. FOR ALMOST SEVENTY YEARS, INITIATED BY A COMMUNITY OF BENEDICTINE SISTERS, HOLY WISDOM OFFERS HOSPITALITY TO ALL SPECIES BOTH ANIMALS, PLANTS, BIRDS, AND HUMANS. THE CLERGY SPIRITUAL RENEWAL PROGRAM THAT YOU, DR. STONER, WILL GENTLY GUIDE IS SO VITALLY NEEDED TO SUPPORT CLERGY OF ALL STRIPES, SHAPES, AND SIZES, WHO SERVE IN THESE TRYING TIMES OF MASSIVE CHANGES. MAY EVERY MINISTER WHO COMES TO BE ENCOURAGED, RENEWED, AND REFRESHED BE BLESSED WITH THE GRACE SO ABUNDANTLY OFFERED BY ALL THE COMMUNITIES OF HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY.

    1. Sorry, I did not respond sooner, but I just saw this Dennis. Thank you so very much for your prayers and good wishes. I am humbled and honored to be invited to do this and to join the already great work that is being done y the Ecumenical Center for Spiritual Renewal.

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