“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. ”

Sr. Gabriele Uhlein, PhD, was a Wheaton Franciscan sister deeply inspired by the spirit of Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi, and Teilhard de Chardin. She held a doctorate in depth psychology and process theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

As a beloved Franciscan scholar and longtime artist-in-residence at the Christine Center, Sr. Gabe nurtured a profound connection between planetary consciousness, contemplation, and compassion in everyday life. Her creativity workshops cultivated intuition, while her spiritual deepening offerings encouraged heart-centered, integral Earth presence. Through intuitive art, personal ritual, and soulful guidance, she touched countless lives and continues to inspire through her recorded teachings and enduring legacy.

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.

David grew up in a small Minnesota town. The prairie lands all around were shaped by
the small farms, and his experiences then gave him a lasting appreciation of the hard daily work of the world, done by many that remain unseen.

As a pilgrim, the arts have always been essential to his journey. College at St John’s
University, a Benedictine center with a strong spiritual and ecological soul. From there
teaching high school English (and coaching wrestling) in Puerto Rico, teaching theater
in college only a few years after graduating, creating theaters. Graduate school, MFA
work, a PhD, California to Pennsylvania and in between.

The pilgrim road took him into leadership positions at many levels: creating and directing an
internationally recognized Arts Leadership Institute, then the leadership roles at
National Endowment for the Arts, the John F Kennedy Center, then to organizations in
Minnesota, Center for Arts Education, Humanities Center. Walking the legislative halls in Washington, testifying to Congress… working with state legislature and governors. All to tell the story and make the case for the benefits of engagement with all the arts.

Experiencing the turbulence of the Vietnam, era, the civil rights movements, the
nations growing awareness of the fundamental role of slavery and genocide in our
history and most recently, the murder of George Floyd just a mile from where he lives, David now gathers with others in a Healing and Writing Workshop every other week, to share personal stories, heal trauma, and to imagine the future.

David writes:
My spiritual path and pilgrimage takes me into my Celtic heritage, to embrace the
ancient stories, the seasons, the saints and the myths, the dark and the light all at one. Hiking in
Ireland, walking with poets and spiritual leaders, I am guided and challenged. As a pilgrim and seeker, I strive to walk with awareness both of the daily work we all do and the
greater mystery, the greater One that is beyond a name of which we are all a living presence.

The old stories of exploitation, unlimited progress, patriarchy and dominance, have wounded all
and killed many. Now we are tasked to create and live the stories that will give and sustain life.
We are on the threshold of a great transformation. And there is work to be done, within each of us
and beyond. The Christine Center and especially Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation is an essential place for the exploration of the journey each one of us is on, creation of the stories that
will deepen and renew each person, the stories we will weave together for healing and a world
that is healthier, fully alive for all life, and how we might practice these in the
turbulent, beautiful, wonderful, wacky world.
It is my honor and joy and commitment to bring all I have , tools, practices, experiences,
resources, to my companion seekers and searchers.

With an affinity for spiritual growth and connection, Elaine serves as a spiritual companion and guide for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. Drawing from her educational background and personal experiences, Elaine specializes in soul care, believing that tending to the needs of individual souls contributes to the well-being of the collective soul of the world. In her own spiritual quest, professional work, and academic pursuits, Elaine explores the intricate dynamics of being a soul incarnate in this world. She delves into the depths of consciousness, purpose, divine connection, and the interconnectedness of all creation. Elaine is educated in the field Spiritual and Social Transformation with a focus on Spiritual Direction, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Bethany Theological Seminary. As a faculty member at Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development, Elaine co-leads students in their foundational year of the Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides program. Additionally, she facilitates workshops and retreats that integrate contemplative, creative, and intuitive practices to foster spiritual growth and exploration. With a deep reverence and gratitude for the sacred in everyday life, Elaine sees each moment as an opportunity for spiritual deepening, nurturing, and transformation and has come to understand that the practice of gratitude serves as a powerful pathway to opening the heart to the beauty of all existence.

Joanne Nelson is a writer and retreat/workshop leader certified by the McLean Meditation Institute as a meditation and mindfulness teacher. Her second half of life retreats and spiritual story workshops allow participants to engage and awaken their creative and intuitive best selves while learning to restore and re-story. Joanne has led retreats at the Christine Center since 2016 and looks forward to being immersed in the interspiritual community that this next SDGT cohort will develop. She relishes the opportunity to learn, experience, and grow together.

Joanne is the author of the vignette collection, My Neglected Gods, and the memoir, This is How We Leave, both available from Vine Leaves Press. Her writing appears in numerous anthologies and literary journals, she is a past winner of the Hal Prize in nonfiction and has been a contributor to Lake Effect, her local NPR affiliate. Joanne lives in Hartland, Wisconsin where she develops and leads community programs and adjuncts. Over thirty years of experience as a psychotherapist allows Joanne to combine clinical expertise with her love of teaching to create programs that are research based, practical, and enjoyable. She holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars and an MSSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  More information about Joanne can be found at wakeupthewriterwithin.com

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.