Submitted by Nancy Enderle, director, Center for Clergy Renewal
Dear Holy Wisdom community members,
I am writing to let you know about changes in the leadership of the Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR). As we round the corner into our sixth year of helping pastors thrive in ministry, I feel called to set down the director responsibilities that accompany this growing and important work. Depending on the timeline after the search for the next director is complete, I may transition out of the director role sometime in the fall, then conduct the winter immersion for Cohort 5 in January of 2025 to wrap up my work with the CCR.
Let me take this opportunity to express what an incredible honor it has been to help develop and nurture this community. Thank you to the sisters, who share their home and hearts with the pastors and to the Board who supported the decision and commitment to create a place for the CCR at Holy Wisdom. I’m grateful to the coworkers who form and hold the sacred container in which the pastors reside and absorb the ancient gifts of monastic living. Thank you to the Friends of Wisdom Prairie who introduce and open up the gifts of the prairie, the Sunday Assembly members who generously share worship and hospitality, and the Oblates whose model of spiritual formation in the Benedictine tradition has informed so much of our work.
The good news is that all of those communities of blessing remain vibrant as the next chapter of the CCR unfolds. I am especially encouraged that our new executive director, Erin Trondson, is bringing so many of her gifts to leading these communities during an important season for the monastery. And our newly elected prioress, Sister Lynne Smith, brings a vision for and love of this monastery that will surely resonate with those waiting to discover something and some place for their own renewal in a troubled world.
I also want to highlight the amazing volunteers who dreamed up, shaped and contribute to the work of CCR. We are blessed by too many people to name, but here are a few who have shouldered various responsibilities with grace and commitment: Pamela Johnson who led the grant writing team with Rachel Olson and has shepherded the reflection circle with an amazing team of people including our current circle of David McKee, Mary Hoddy and Michael Shinners. Architects of our Immersion experiences include: Pamela Johnson, Steve Zwettler, Scott Stoner, Tom Zanzig, Liz Morris, Ann Baltes, Phyllis Lobdell, Tim Dean and a bevy of volunteers who show up to extend hospitality and leadership including: Bob and Paula Dinndorf, Rita and Ed Emmeneger, Marcia Krater, Joyce Wodka, Tom Zanzig, Doreen Adamany and again, Pamela and Larry Johnson. And a special shout-out to Phyllis Lobdell who has lead Qigong each morning to all of our cohorts!
I also want to acknowledge how important the Rev. Jerry Buss was to helping build the foundation of this work during his time as founding co-director from 2019 – 2022. And Scott Stoner who contributed immensely as co-director in 2022-23. I am also grateful to Kathleen Owens who has served this past year as Manager of Communications and Clergy Programing and will be remaining on the staff of the CCR. News will be forthcoming about a search team that will receive applications for the director position. Thank you for giving prayerful support to that process.
Lastly, I am so grateful to the many beautiful pastors who opened and open their weary spirits to the renewal we offer. Especially the first cohort who took a chance on us! We are now a community of over 100 pastors who have attended immersions and Deep Breath retreats and share the gifts of this amazing monastery in their home settings. As we transition into a future that will require more integration into the financial and community resources of Holy Wisdom, thank you in advance for your support! We will only be able to continue this work with the ongoing commitment of individuals and leaders. So please know your support changes lives and creates new venues for the Spirit to offer spiritual deepening for people of faith all over the country!
Sincerely yours,
Nancy Enderle