Spiritual

Deepening

for Global Transformation

Meeting the Spiritual Challenges of Our Time.

World transformation happens
only as individuals deepen,
one by one,
relationship by relationship,
and practice by practice

Our world in both its heartbreak and its beauty, is inviting us, calling us to a new breadth and depth of being. Let’s welcome and support one another as spiritual pilgrims, each of us on an individual deepening journey. During our three-year Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation commitment, we will travel inward together, inquiring into our conditioned beliefs:

• how we perceive the world,
• our relationship with nature,
• our concepts of the divine and transcendent,
• our experience of Spirit and Soul.

We will be gentle with ourselves while we challenge ourselves, going beyond our former comfort zones into the exciting world being born all around us.
Dare we become conscious co-creators, entering together the stream from the future that is calling us to become more fully human?

Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation (SDGT)

Cohort VIII

Welcome to a community of spiritual depth and three years of creating the beautiful world our souls know is possible. What makes this opportunity distinctive is our commitment to a path of soul deepening — both individually and as a community — that honors the unique contexts and circumstances of our lives. Valerie Haberman, Christine Center Programming & Communications Director, will be our host. She is joined by six seasoned Christine Center spiritual guides: Gabriele Uhlein, Ron Moor, Joanne Nelson, Sharon Devo, Wade Britzius and Elaine Jones.

Sr. Gabriele Uhlein

Sr. Gabriele Uhlein

Sr. Gabe's Bio

“The time is NOW. We are in the midst of the transformation we have been waiting for. What is needed is Earth-making at the deepest level of soul: rejuvenation, restoration and evolution in the midst of cultural upheaval and the sixth planetary extinction.
Held in a community committed to spiritual deepening for global transformation, change happens one person at a time, responding with depth and compassion. This is the invitation now: to a fully soul-present, earth-centered emergence. Welcome to an uprising of hope and creative becoming. ”
Gabriele Uhlein, PhD is a Wheaton Franciscan sister deeply inspired by the spirit of Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi and Teilhard de Chardin. She holds a doctorate in depth psychology and process theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary. As Franciscan scholar and artist-in-residence at the Christine Center, Gabe continues to promote the profound connection between planetary consciousness, contemplation, and compassion in everyday life. Gabriele’s creativity workshops concentrate on the cultivation of intuition, and her spiritual deepening workshops focus on heart-centered, integral Earth presence. Incarnational art and personal ritual making complement her spiritual guidance and spiritual deepening offerings.

Ronald E. Moor

Ronald E. Moor

Ron's Bio

Called to the life of Spirit well over 40 years ago, Ron has devoted his life to deepening his own spirituality and to a vocation of service. A tour in Vietnam shook his beliefs in “The American Way”. An MBA and ten years in corporate America convinced him there had to be a better way. In his questing he has been fortunate to be personally mentored by Joseph Campbell, Carl Rogers, Manly P. Hall, Rosalyn Bruyere, Mary Elizabeth Thunder, Hyemeyohsts and Swan Storm, Roger Weir and Robert Sardello. 

Called to sacred ministry, in 1984 he received ordination after completing a four-year program through The Healing Light Center Seminary in Sierra Madre, California.  He has been ministerial guide to three spiritual communities in California and Minnesota.  As a part of his ministry he has been a hands-on energy practitioner since ordination, currently with the Thiensville Health Alliance in Thiensville, Wisconsin.

He was a volunteer provider for 25 years at Pathways in Minneapolis facilitating classes and individual healing sessions. Pathways is a nationally recognized health crisis center offering free resources and alternative health care services for those with life threatening and chronic illness. He also served on their board for 17 years.

For three years he participated in an annual medical mission to the Mayan people of Guatemala. He has studied with indigenous North American and Mayan shamans in the US and Central America. 

He has facilitated classes and retreats on spiritual growth and bio-field energy healing in 6 states, including at The Christine Center. Through The Christine Center Ron hosts a weekly on-line Tao meditation and discussion circle.

Ron firmly believes we are at the threshold of an emerging, more humane and inclusive civilization embodying spirit and matter. The Call is being sent out. His participation as one of the core faculty of The Spiritual Deepening for Planetary Transformation Program is a major part of his commitment to contribute in this time of unprecedented challenge.

Jonathan Elmergreen

Jonathan Elmergreen

Jonathan's Bio

Jonathan grew up in the Wausau, WI area and on the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians Reservation. The gentle woods of the Christine Center feel like home.

Jonathan has a rich history of leading nonprofits and working with universities, foundations, and boards. He is grateful the mystery of life has led him to be part of the Christine Center community. 

Before the Christine Center, Jonathan served as Executive Director of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA), an international association for professors and college students studying interactive media. During his time with HEVGA, the organization became a global leader through strategic partnerships with foundations, nonprofits, governing bodies, and a strong network of members.

Jonathan received a BS in Sociology from UW–Madison and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on nonprofit management, systems, and leadership. 

His spiritual background is rooted in Zen Buddhism, the Mohican Native American tradition, and Christianity. 

His orientation towards community is deeply influenced by Buddhist monastic practice, especially the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, who emphasizes that collective peace is possible by returning to the present moment through mindfulness. 

Jonathan’s leadership style begins with a gentle smile. Embodying deep spiritual practice in his daily life is the greatest gift he can offer as a leader. 

When not living at the Christine Center, he lives in Milwaukee with his partner, Spencer, and their two adorable cats. 

Jonathan loves to explore the grounds of the Christine Center, whether that is walking on the trails, pondering on a bench, or sitting (and singing!) by the fire. He would love it if you joined him.

Rosalie Hooper Thomas

Rosalie Hooper Thomas

Rosalie's Bio

In 2014, Rosalie retired from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. She served for 13 years as the liaison to business, facilitator, coordinator of the Servant Leadership program, program coordinator, retreat director and spiritual mentor. Prior to her time with FSC, Rosalie had her own practice as an organizational development consultant. Since 2012, Rosalie has been an FSPA Affiliate and in that role was co-chair of the FSPA 2018 Assembly Planning Committee. In addition, Rosalie participated in the FPSA/Affiliate Homelessness Initiative Committee, which was instrumental in establishing the Franciscan Hospitality House & supporting the Coulee Collaborative to End Homelessness. Rosalie lives with her husband Stan in the country and travels when she can to visit four beautiful granddaughters.

Robin Richards

Robin Richards

Robin's Bio

Robin is a master teacher and multi-certified wellness coach who brings together communities to connect, learn and grow. In her business, Robin’s WellNest LLC, Robin teaches mindset and energy practices to increase well-being while working through the demands of everyday life. Prior to teaching wellness, Robin’s background was based in public education and she holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as an Educational Specialist degree in K-12 Leadership. She taught and coached in multiple roles, including secondary mathematics, K-8 instruction, assessment coordination, scheduling and arts integration. Robin brings experience as a consultant for state departments of education as well as experience as a School Board member and treasurer. Robin lives in the Twin Cities Metro with her husband and daughter and enjoys practicing meditation, yoga, balanced eating, and creating collaborations and content to empower wellness in others.

As your host and spiritual guides, each of us is vulnerably offering you what we are wondering and discovering from our own most recent growth threshold and the far edge of our own learning. We will be companions together: sharing our amazements and puzzlements, daring and assisting one another.

Together, let’s offer the most heartful world-making and soul-restoring “be-ing” we can muster.

Unique to the Christine Center, we do this in a religiously multi-lingual way, in keeping with our mission of supporting all spiritual seekers, no matter the path inward.

Our natural sanctuary awaits. We meet bimonthly each year: twice on site and four times via Zoom.

    • Each of the two annual onsite retreats build on one another, providing experiential opportunities of soul-steadiness, mutual inquiry, shared deepening, and supportive community.
    • The four annual SDGT Saturday Maps of Inner Wisdom Zoom Days are for ongoing discovery, depth and integration.

SDGT VII Retreat & Deepening Sessions

Year One: The Art of Contemplative Living

        • May 16-19, 2024, Onsite retreat
               (Thurs eve to Sun noon)
        • July 20, 2024, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Sept 21, 2024, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Nov 7-10, 2024, Onsite retreat
               (Thurs eve to Sun noon)
        • Jan 18, 2025, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Mar 15, 2025, Online
               (morning and afternoon)

Year Two: Awakening Spirit / Earth Body

        • May 1–4, 2025, Onsite retreat
               (Thurs eve to Sun noon)
        • July 19, 2025, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Sept 20. 2025, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Nov 6-9, 2025, Onsite retreat
               (Thurs eve to Sun noon)
        • Jan 17, 2026, O Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • March 21, 2026, Online
              (morning and afternoon)

Year Three: Global Transformation Presence

        • Apr 30-May 3, 2026, Onsite retreat
               (Thurs eve to Sun noon)
        • July 18, 2026, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Sept 19, 2026, Online
               (morning and afternoon)
        • Nov 5-8, 2026, Onsite completion retreat
               (Thurs eve to Sun noon)

If you are wondering about content specifics:

Becoming the transformation that we desire is at the heart of the SDGT experience.

    • The first year intends the consolidation and deepening of personal spiritual practice and heartfulness, of becoming aware that inner work is ultimately Earth work.
    • The second year is for the integration of body, earth, and soul, realizing that we “matter” together for the sake of world soul.
    • The third year is dedicated to finding our way forward through our hearts and practice, deeply listening for what the world needs from each of us, now.

YEAR ONE: THE ART OF CONTEMPLATIVE LIVING

May 2024 – March 2025

This first year is intended for the deepening of our inner life and the consolidation of personal spiritual practices. We will work with techniques, old and new, of ancient spiritual science and emerging modern research. We will explore meditation, contemplation, sound, chant, music, movement, dance, journaling, dialog in small and large groups, meet in ceremonies of high council, delve into our dreams, the structures of consciousness, open our senses, explore pathways into deep silence and even deeper stillness that can open us to the depths of knowing.

Here’s what we’ll explore together this first year of journeying inward:

The nature of heart as an organ of intelligence, perception, and connection with all of creation.

The nature of spirit and of soul as more than what we were taught.

The nature of time as a presence beyond a linear flow.

The nature of creation and what is real as far more than can be perceived with our five senses.

The nature of imagination as a crucial capacity of spirit.

The nature of consciousness itself.

The nature of the transcendent and the divine as more than a static being outside of our being.

The nature of our human bodies as necessary vehicles for the integration of soul, spirit, and the multi-dimensional universe.

YEAR TWO: AWAKENING THE SPIRITUAL / EARTH BODY

May 2025 – March 2026

The intention of the second year is to invite participants to become more deeply aware of the profound resonance between inner work and outer transformation.

    • During the second year we continue to explore the ancient wisdom of holistic health as well as a revitalizing twenty-first century vision of the sacredness of all creation.
    • Our spiritual practice deepens as we cultivate our essential connections: with our inner self, with our Earth environment, with the power of our intuition and physical senses, and ultimately, the transformative energy of our natural creativity.

YEAR THREE: SPIRIT LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION

May 2026 – November 2026

Our third year moves us, inspired and renewed, directly into the heart of the world. It brings opportunities to refine personal vision and to hone skills of transformative participation. The offerings aim for deepening awareness of our natural human intelligence and giftedness for compassionate service. Let’s re-imagine, for the sake of all the children, our innate capacity to be fully present and open-hearted in the world.

      • The invitation is to bless without exception, to cultivate the confidence of Soul to deeply matter; to make a difference, and to change the world in very surprising ways.
      • Discover powerful ways of leading organically, participating with others for both personal and group transformation.
      • Special emphasis will be placed on the soul-power of ritual: how to design, host and share the blessing of threshold moments.

Discernment Questions

Do you have a sense of “more” possible in your spiritual practice?

The SDGT is intended for all those sensing more is possible, or that the depth is eluding them – and who are willing to risk deepening for Earth’s sake.

Is your heart breaking as you hold Earth in awareness? Are you yearning to make a difference?

Consider these experiences to be threshold guardians, waiting for you to engage in a heartful, renewed willingness to break through into the not-yet-known of what is possible.

Do you have a heartfelt desire for spiritual companions? Do you sense a call to participate in a mutually supportive spiritual deepening community?

The SDGT invites a commitment of three years of spiritual deepening – personally and communally – creating together a new way of being fully human, fully present, fully conscious for the sake of the world and all beings.

Is spiritual deepening for Earth’s sake something you are yearning for? Is such a commitment desirable to you at this time?

Earth work is spiritual work. Joining an intentional community of seekers offers a synergistic field that opens portals not possible on a solo path. There is no world healing without a deep collective spiritual infrastructure of soul.

If you are willing to trust hope and blessing when so much promotes despair, and if you are willing to let your planet-size grief energize your deepening, the Christine Center SDGT is for you!

Annual Inclusive Retreat Pricing Options

Listed pricing is per person includes all housing, meals, and program fee for the entire year.

$1946 Private Modern Hermitage
$1802 Private Main Building Guestroom
$1802 Private Cabin Bedroom
$1542 Private Rustic Hermitage
$1728 Shared Modern Hermitage
$1646 Shared Main Building Guestroom
$1450 Shared Rustic Hermitage
$1170 Commuter with meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Supper)
$930   Commuter without meals

Modern Hermitage: One room cottage with anywhere from 1 to 3 beds; living area; kitchenette; bathroom and shower.
Cabin Bedroom: A private bedroom with 1 to 2 beds located on the property in a shared cabin; shared kitchenette; shared bathroom and shower.
Guest Room-Main Building: A private bedroom with 2 beds and private bathroom located in the main building.
Rustic Hermitage: One room cottage with anywhere from 1 to 2 beds; living area. No bathroom or kitchenette. Modern bath and shower facilities are located on the property.

Cancelation Policy:

    • Cancelations which occur 2 weeks prior to the program start will receive a full refund minus the original $200 non-refundable deposit.
    • Cancelations which occur after sessions have been attended will receive a refund for the amount remaining after deducting attended retreats and the non-refundable $200 deposit.

Housing Assignments:

    • If your housing assignment changes for retreats to an option with a different cost, we will adjust your rate accordingly. 
    • We do our best to accommodate everyone’s housing requests, though please know it may not always be possible to meet your preferences. Identifying a shared housing option that best suits you is helpful as it may be necessary at times.