The Christine Center

Season of Renewal

Spring is once again returning to the Christine Center campus. The many layers of ice and snow are giving way to tender green shoots. Birds are singing and sightings of wildlife abound.

A feeling of renewal surrounds us having cautiously managed through two years of financial hurdles resulting from Covid-related campus closures and program cancellations.

For those who may not be aware the Center Center has experienced three separate unexpected closures over the last 43 years, the last of course due to Covid. Each closure has proven to be a test of Leadership resilience.

Additionally, with each closure a process of discernment ensues with Board and Leadership contemplating, “What is now ours to do?” Despite the circumstance, the commitment to our vision of Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation has remained steadfast.

In order to uphold the vision of our foundress, Sr Virginia Barta OSF, and continue to “Offer contemplative support to persons of all spiritual paths, and maintain our natural woodland sanctuary,” we call upon our Community of Friends to assist us in a number of ways outlined below.

Thank you for your generous Spirit!

Blessings,

Kathleen Yosko 

Executive Director

[email protected]

Community of Friends

Your Presence and Support Matter

Enroll in an Upcoming Program and

Plan Your Stay on Our Campus

Your presence on campus, whether attending a program onsite or online is the gift that continues to reignite the Center’s mission within each of us. Your presence truly matters. We are privileged to witness your spiritual path and personal growth, and our lives are touched by the connections we make with each of you. 

While we strive to create space for the Center’s mission to flourish, we also have the financial realities of maintaining this campus and supporting our staff. This year we have had lower than anticipated guest presence on campus; our projected revenues from onsite programs are 30% below budget. Even though Covid restrictions have been lifted our retreatants have not returned to the campus as we anticipated. 

Whether there are no visitors or sixty program retreatants, our annual fixed costs remain at about $750,000.00/year. We manage, as you may be aware, with a skeleton staff of 12 people, many who are part-time. With nearly 20 buildings on campus, each with its own heating and cooling systems, managing unanticipated maintenance issues, and funding the escalating cost of energy, gas, and electricity, it is especially important for our supporters to understand the business realities of preserving the sacred spaces of our campus for you and future retreatants. 

Recently there have been major hermitage restorations, a new Center roof, the installation of campus internet, and new A/V in the Meditation Hall and Chapel—each of these were made possible by generous capital grants, which were received for these specific purposes. They have helped us to provide updated spaces and more amenities for your stay. We are grateful to have been awarded grants to update this beautiful sanctuary. 

We hope to welcome you soon--you can support the Center greatly by giving yourself the gift of retreat and attending a program on campus. 

Schedule a Private Retreat

The Stillness Calls You

Spring is often a time of personal renewal, a time to go deeper into your spiritual practice.

Visitors who register for a personal retreat during the week are often amazed at the solitude they experience throughout the campus and on the trails. Experience the breath of spring! 

Spiritual guidance and art sessions may be scheduled in advance of your visit.

For Spring of 2023 we are offering a 20% room rental

discount to those scheduling a weekday private retreat from

April 3, 2023-June 30, 2023

(Subject to space availability)

Weekday rates begin Sunday afternoon and end Friday afternoon.

Reservations for private retreats can be made by calling our front office 715-267-7507. We look forward to welcoming you back to the stillness and your spiritual home!

Help us Meet our Fundraising Goal

Ways to Make a Contribution

Since its inception October 20, 2020, the Christine Center has always relied on the generosity of its donors and friends to support the annual operating budget.

2023 Campaign Progress

Our fiscal year ends on June 30, 2023. This year we had two requests for financial support.

Giving Tuesday

We set a goal of $10,000 for Giving Tuesday 2023 to replace the chairs in the Meditation Hall. To date we have raised $7,822.00 for which we are so grateful. We are in the process of testing a variety of new chairs to replace the current chairs which are over 20 years old. Ideas are appreciated!

Community of Friends $150,000.00 2023 Annual Campaign with Greer $25,000.00 Match

We launched our annual campaign in November, 2022 with the mailing of our winter newsletter and E-News. The $150,000.00 goal is critical to meet our operational expenses not covered by our program revenues and decreased number of program attendees on campus.

To date $71,605.94 has been raised with only 3 months remaining in this fiscal year. Sr Virginia always reported that generous Angels appear in time of need if we only ask. We are appealing to Angels within the Christine Center Community of Friends.

Please make a onetime online donation or consider making a recurring monthly donation by clicking here.

Gifts of Stock, Qualified Charitable Distribution,

Donor-Advised Funds 

The Christine Center can accept gifts of stock and other financial transactions. For more information or assistance, please contact

Kathleen Yosko, Executive Director at [email protected]  

Volunteer your Time and Talents

Over the years the Christine Center has been blessed with numerous volunteers who contribute their time and talent to assist us with the operations and maintenance of the Center. There are opportunities for assistance in the front office, dining room, bookstore, and with our trails and gardens. 

Upcoming Volunteer Events

• Garden Volunteers-May 23-25, 2023
• Trail Maintenance and Garden Volunteers-June 2-4, 2023

If these times do not fit your schedule, please let us know, since assistance will be needed throughout the summer and fall.

If you have time or a special skill to contribute to the Center, please contact

Melissa Thielman, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]

We are eternally grateful for your support!