Wisconsin Retreat:
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Peacemakers
A Contemplative Retreat in the Manner of Friends
at the Siena Retreat Center, Racine, Wisconsin
May 15-18, 2025
In order to act with integrity and wholeness in the world, a world which so needs integrity and wholeness, we must slow down into a deeper, quiet space. We need to find our own center, the Light within, and touch that regularly. This retreat will allow us to listen to the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes and ponder how these words might help us find our center, to glimpse the Realm of Presence in our own lives. Humility, mercy, gentleness, peace – how are these relevant to our own experiences of seeking the center? What other words or experiences might help us to center and then to live our daily lives out of that center?
During this retreat, participants will experience the distinctly Quaker manner of knowing contemplation in community. There will be silent time for individual prayer, reflection, rest, or walks, as well as time spent together in small groups, meals (some in silence) and in “active silence” in the large group. Active silence allows us to share silence together while we each read, journal, do handwork or another quiet activity.
Sinking down into the silence, and the theme, we are likely to want to give voice to what we’re encountering, so we’ll have times for sharing in small groups as well as an invitation to meet one-on-one with a retreat leader for anyone who wishes to do so.
We will also offer, for those who wish to participate, some spiritual exercises. We hope that shared activities will enrich our time with one another and enhance our awareness of being gathered in blessed community. The Siena Center also provides an art room, a labyrinth and walking trails.
Retreat Leaders
Catherine Cox (Goose Creek, Baltimore Yearly Meeting) is a graduate of the School of the Spirit Ministry’s program On Being a Spiritual Nurturer and also of the Shalem Institute’s program Transforming Community: Leading Contemplative Spiritual Groups and Retreats. She has facilitated contemplative retreats under the care of the School of the Spirit for the past ten years.
Thais Carr (Nashville, Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting) is a graduate of The School of the Spirit program On Being a Spiritual Nurturer as well as the Heart Longings program through Shalem. She is a crafter and gardener in addition to sharing her life with rescued dogs and cats.
Elizabeth Evans (Milwaukee, Northern Yearly Meeting) joins us as a mentee through our retreat leadership mentoring program. She is a graduate of the Siena Center’s Spiritual Guidance Training Program and has been part of a monthly letter-writing spiritual nurture group for more than two decades.
Accommodations
Siena Retreat Center has 67 private bedrooms with private bath facilities. There is elevator access to all floors and the center is accessible to people with moderate physical limitations. Retreatants have access to the retreat chapel, outdoor labyrinth, Siena Center library, washing machine and dryer on each floor, and Creativity Room with a variety of arts supplies. Please indicate any mobility concerns on the Registration Form. A gallery of photos is available on the Siena Center website.
Schedule
First day, Thursday: Retreat begins with dinner at 5:30 pm. Arrival time between 2:00 to 6:00 pm.
Final day, Sunday: The retreat closes with 12 noon meal. Departure by 2:00 pm.
A detailed schedule will be sent in advance by the retreat leaders.
Flexible Fees
The full cost of attendance is $665.
Our intention with Contemplative Retreats is to break even. Because retreat center costs have gone up, we have had to increase the cost of the retreat. We recognize that this cost may be prohibitive for some attendees, and assistance is available! Please reach out to us about scholarships at info@schoolofthespirit.org.
Registration
PLEASE REGISTER BY APRIL 15, 2025. (We will then accept registrations on a rolling basis, with the final cut-off being April 28th).
Registration is in TWO steps.
STEP 1: Please fill out the registration form. The form will ask for your personal information, your room and dietary preferences, and how you will pay. At the time of registration, you will pay either the full cost of $665.00, or the minimum payment of $75.00 and indicate that you would like to receive a scholarship form.
STEP 2: Instructions as to how to pay will appear on your Confirmation Page. Paying online will take you to PayPal where you can pay via credit card. You do NOT need a PayPal account to do this. If you will be making multiple payments, please reach out to us at info@schoolofthespirit.org to set up a payment plan.
Alternatively you can send a check made out to the School of the Spirit Ministry, for the amount in the table. Mail your check to: The School of the Spirit Ministry, c/o 4 Long Shoals Rd. Ste. B484 Arden, NC 28704.
Keep an eye out for an email from us with any further instructions.
Cancellation Policy
30 days or more prior to the event, full refund less $30 processing fee. 14-29 days prior to the event, 50% refund. Less than 15 days, no refund.
