Grace & Reflection: A Courage & Renewal® Weekend

Quinn Lynch

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. …

Leora Weitzman’s Christmas Eve Homily, Dec. 24, 2025

Holy Wisdom MonasteryHomilies, Prayer & Worship, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

Christmas Eve 2025 ∙ Isaiah 9:2–7 ∙ Titus 2:11–14, 3:4–7 ∙ Luke 2: 1–20 ∙ December 24, 2025 It was night. Darkness enfolded the world in its wings. The earth and plants gave off their nocturnal fragrance. The fragrance entered the nostrils of a flock of sheep, sheltering in the folds of a hillside just outside Bethlehem. The sheep followed the fragrance of the forage, and shepherds followed the footfalls of the sheep. The shepherds were three, one for each watch of the night. And the first watch began. A hush hung over the hills. Hunting hyenas howled in the …

Christmas Prayer & Worship Schedule

Quinn Lynch Leave a Comment

Christmas 2025 Prayer & Worship Schedule December 24, 2025 – January 1, 2026   Dec. 24, 2025 8:00 am – Morning Prayer (Oratory) 11:45 am – Midday Prayer (Oratory) 4:00 pm – Christmas Eve Eucharist (Assembly Room) Dec. 25 8:00 am – Morning Prayer (Oratory) 9:00 am – Christmas Day Worship (Assembly Room) Dec. 26-27 No Public Prayer Dec. 28 8:00 am – Morning Prayer (Oratory) 8:40 am – Christmas Carol Sing-Along (Assembly Room) 9:00 am – Sunday Assembly Eucharist (Assembly Room) Dec. 29-Jan. 1, 2026 No Public Prayer Jan. 2 Resume regular prayer schedule

Ink and insight

Ink and Insight Mindful Writing Circle

Quinn Lynch

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 …

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 …

Ink and insight

Ink and Insight Mindful Writing Circle

Quinn Lynch

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-12:00 pm Jan. 25 Mar. 1 Jun. 7 Nov. 1 Schedule 10:15 am …

Neurographic Art

Neurographic Art: A Contemplative Practice

Quinn Lynch Leave a Comment

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 …

Stef Coleman - Grounded

Grounded

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCCR, Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR), Pastors' Stories 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 …

Monastic Monologues

Monastic Monologues: Sharing Joy

Quinn Lynch Leave a Comment

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 …

A new family at Lost Lake

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Submitted by David Kelley (he/him), Friends of Wisdom Prairie It’s early spring. Tendrils of mist dance like sprites on the water. The lake’s surface is smooth like polished silver. Several ducks skim silently like shadows in the fog. This is Lost Lake, a relic of the glaciers, which covered much of Wisconsin until 10,000 years ago. Lost Lake is nestled in prairie and woodland just west of Holy Wisdom Monastery. You hike along the trail, which meanders around the lake. To your right oak trees rise like pillars, leaves rustling in the spring breeze. On your left emergent vegetation creates …