The DeKoven Center’s Second Tuesdays Series begins its seventh year on Sept. 14 with a discussion about “overshadowing.”

Kitty Clark will lead conversation and meditation on Angel Gabriel’s words to Mary at the Annuciation, as told by St. Luke: “The Spirit of the Lord will come up on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” And yet, in God’s own divine economy, these words are for us too, and for all humanity. We live in that overshadowing. The life of God present to his creation is the testimony of saints and sages alike. Sometimes I think we know this, Kitty reflects, sometimes not. But the overshadowing is there all the same, and God’s invitation and hope in us does not fail. The gift is God’s, but the response can only be ours. Her meditation invites us into the mystery. “We all know more than we know that we know,” American author Thornton Wilder reminds us.

There is no charge for Second Tuesdays at DeKoven, but a free-willing offering is appreciated. Conversation and coffee begin at 10 a.m. and Meditation is at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Kitty Clark at kclark@dekovencenter.org

“Welsh metaphysicals” will be the topic for reflection during “Second Tuesdays with Travis” at 10 a.m. on Nov. 9 at The DeKoven Center.

The Rev. Travis DePriest will lead conversation and meditation on “Thomas Traherne: Poet of Felicity.” It’s the latest in Travis’ series that has featured George Herbert, Katharine Phillips and Henry Vaughan. Here’s the full description of the class:

For this reflection, we will continue our visits with “the Welsh metaphysicals,” Travis says. “This time with Thomas Traherne added to the list.” So far he has invited George Herbert, Katharine Phillips, and Henry Vaughan to our Second Tuesdays, and we have been graced by each poet’s particular charm and wisdom. Traherne is perhaps a poet many already know and will anticipate happily. “Savoring his wondrous poetry and luxuriant prose will be a treat for everyone,” Travis assures us. A treat indeed! Travis of course is a gifted teacher. He has presented each poet as friend to friends. The visits have been as memorable as the introductions!

There is no charge for Second Tuesdays at DeKoven, but a free-will offering is appreciated. Coffee and conversation begin at 10 a.m. and Meditation begins at 10:30. For more information, contact Kitty Clark at kclark@dekovencenter.org

The DeKoven Center will host “An Autumn Quiet Day for Busy Women” on Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Themes for the fall retreat include: Making room for God, Caring for Ourselves and Empowering One Another.

During this day, we will ask: How do we take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually? How do we take time to listen to God? How can we trust our own wisdom and to live into all we were created to be?

Come join us as we explore prayer, wholeness, and self-care and as we give thanks for the mentors and role models in our lives.

Our leader: The Rev. Holly Whitcomb has been a minister in the United Church of Christ since her graduation from Yale Divinity School in 1978 and has served churches in Connecticut, Iowa, and Wisconsin. She is also a graduate of the two-year program for spiritual directors at the Shalem Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. A widely traveled retreat leader who directs Kettlewood Retreats, Holly is also a spiritual director and writer who has published dozens of articles on spirituality. She is the author of four books including Feasting with God and Practicing Your Path. Her latest book, The Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting, sold out in three weeks and had to be immediately reprinted. It also took her to New York where she did a taping for the Hallmark Channel’s show, New Morning. Holly lives in suburban Milwaukee with her husband John. They are parents of David and Kate, both in their 20s.

DeKoven is happy to welcome Holly back to us for this very special Day of Reflection!

Suggested donation: $50.00 (refreshments, lunch, facility, and stipend)
For reservation, email Julia at jpeyton@dekovencenter.org
For information about the Day itself email Kitty Clark at kclark@dekovencenter.org

The DeKoven Center is located at 600 21st St. in Racine, Wisconsin. Learn more about DeKoven at: www.dekovencenter.org

December 3-5, 2010
Canon Katherine Clark
Conductor
The Rev. Travis DuPriest
Chaplain

The Retreat begins with a Gathering Reception Friday evening at 5:00 and closes on Sunday morning, following the Holy Eucharist and Brunch The hours follow the familiar monastic pattern of Prayer, Eucharist, Meditation, and Silence.

“How many miles to Bethlehem?”
English nursery rhyme

Our conductor acknowledges that our lives in God often seem balanced between now and not yet, as if we are living within a certain timelessness of time. Each year, though, Advent works its own alchemy. Advent hymns are sung, antiphons read, lessons heard. We listen, we wait. And for these weeks, we know without knowing that the now and not yet we balance are not two realities but one. In Advent, what will be is already embedded in what is. What is gives new light to what will be. “An altar candle sheds its light/as surely as a star.”

In much the same way, the familiar birth narratives that shaped our childhood contain seeds of the common spiritual journey, Kitty suggests. Like the shepherds, we are struck to our knees by awe, perhaps very early in our lives. Like the Wisemen, we journey by starlight through deserts unnamed and turns unexpected. “How many miles to Bethlehem?” “Come and see,” Kitty invites.

Suggested donation: $200.00
Commuter rate and partial scholarships available
For reservation, email jpeyton@dekovencenter.org
For information on the retreat itself, email kclark@dekovencenter.org

Dr. Timothy Ts’o to lead a day-long conference at The DeKoven Center on Saturday, Aug. 21

RACINE, Wis. – Dr. Timothy Ts’o will lead a conference titled, ” Following God’s Will in This Time of Turbulence through our mental health and spiritual growth,” on Saturday, August 21 at The DeKoven Center.

Dr. Ts’o is a board-certified psychiatrist with 51 years experience. His experiences in medicine and psychiatry combined with his own spiritual practice and growth gives a unique authenticity to his presentations.

The day-long conference is divided into four sections focusing on topics including spiritual growth, the evolutionary perspective of spirituality, mental health, and consciousness. The conference will run from 9am to 4:30pm. The suggested donation is $75 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon refreshments. Complete scholarships for clergy, Seminarians, and Religious are available.

For reservation, email info@dekovencenter.com or phone 262-633-6401

The DeKoven Center had a brush with the fashion industry in recent weeks.

Jockey International, based just south of DeKoven in Kenosha, used our historic gym and grounds for an advertising photo shoot. Models donned various outfits and posed in front of elaborate lighting schemes setup by the crew. Organizers liked DeKoven’s vintage gym, and then came back to take advantage of the picturesque grounds.

Here’s a photo of the crew setting up in the DeKoven gym:

(AP) — The nation’s largest pediatricians group is relaxing its stance against swimming lessons for children younger than 4. In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics has said swim classes might give toddlers and parents a false sense of security. Now the group says it’s fine to enroll children as young as 1.

A few small studies suggest toddlers may be less likely to drown if they’ve had swim lessons. The doctors aren’t recommending lessons for every young child. Some parents may feel their little ones aren’t ready and that’s OK.

Parents should choose classes that emphasize water safety and require a parent or other adult to be in the water with the child, said Connie Harvey who heads aquatics development for the American Red Cross and wasn’t involved in the doctors’ policy update.

Classes should have at least one instructor for every 10 students, she said.

The updated policy, released online Monday by the journal Pediatrics, also recommends fences around all pools, even popular inflatable ones. Kids can drown by leaning over the soft sides and falling in.

And the group warns that children can drown when their hair or hands get sucked into the drains of pools or spas without drain covers or proper filter-pump equipment.

The rate of childhood drowning deaths has declined in recent years. About 1,100 U.S. children drowned in 2006.

Parents know they should be vigilant while children swim, but trouble can occur in an instant of inattention, said Dr. Jeffrey Weiss of Phoenix Children’s Hospital and lead author of the policy.

“It’s not a lack of supervision, it’s a lapse of supervision,” Weiss said.

More information:

http://www.aap.org/
http://www.redcross.org

http://www.dekovencenter.org/gym-and-pool

The DeKoven Center in Racine has overnight rooms available the weekend of July 16-18.

Most other hotels in the Racine area are booked for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon and other local events. DeKoven offers dormitory-style rooms at reasonable prices. The rooms are part of DeKoven’s 11-acre campus less than 2 miles from the triathlon’s starting line. The grounds feature picturesque gardens, lakefront views and a charming historic character.

To book a room, contact Julia Peyton at (262) 633-6401 or jpeyton@dekovencenter.org

The DeKoven Center is back in the local news with a wonderful article by reporter Lee Roberts about the Sisters of St. Mary’s upcoming Silent Retreat. The article reflects on the 100-year tradition and the many helping actions of the Sisters. It highlights a reception to honor the Community of  St. Mary on June 13 from 4-6 p.m. at The DeKoven Center. The reception is free (donations appreciated) and a prayer service and dinner will follow at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively. The cost for dinner is $15.

“It is our way of saying thank you for all the years of service and inspiration the sisters have given us through their retreats, as well as a chance for everyone who had an association with them to get together and share their experiences,” said Kitty Clark, sponsored programs coordinator for the DeKoven Center and an associate of the Community of St. Mary for more than 60 years.

To RSVP for the reception, call (262) 633-6401 or send an e-mail to jpeyton@dekovencenter.org

Read The Journal Times’ full article here.