The Voyagers return to Wisconsin, to The Siena Center in Racine for our fall, 2025 meeting: Tuesday, November 4 – Friday, November 7.
The theme of this meeting is “Differentiation and Preaching in Times Like This.” Preaching in polarized times is challenging and requires courage. It requires work on differentiating a self – clarifying and speaking truth and gospel, while respecting those whose thinking may contradict one’s own. What is helpful during these times?
Differentiation was embodied at a prayer service at the National Cathedral, the day after the inauguration of President Trump, when Bishop Mariann Budde humbly asked the president to have mercy on those who are scared now. She reminded us that God teaches us to be merciful to strangers, for we were all once strangers. President Trump demanded an apology. Bishop Budde chose not to apologize for a plea for mercy. A highlight of this meeting is a chance to speak with Bishop Budde, via Zoom!
Presentations for the Voyagers include “A Brief History of Church and State”, (Dave Goodine), “Church and State in the United States”, (Carol Jeunnette, drawing on American Gospel, by John Meachem), and “Morals and Ethics in Differentiation of Self” (Ed Henley). We also will watch a portion a video presentation by NT Wright (Damon Laaker).
On Wednesday, we will offer faith leaders from the community a one-day workshop during which we will consider differentiation and preaching in our time and place.
In addition to presentations guiding our study and consideration, we will have family of origin groups, case studies and our traditional Voyagers Night Out (Dutch treat – probably at Mader’s German Restaurant in Milwaukee). Because the Siena Center is, literally, in Carol Jeunnette’s back yard, we will use her home for some hospitality time.
We begin at 1:30 on Tuesday, November 4 and finish up by noon on Friday, November 7.
Transportation: It is possible to fly into either Milwaukee Airport (MKE) or O’Hare Airport (ORD). If you fly into Milwaukee on Tuesday morning, we will provide transportation to the DeKoven Center. If you fly into O’Hare, check out the Coach Shuttle Express from O’Hare to Racine. We will make arrangements to pick people up at the Racine stop on Tuesday morning. (Amtrak is another option for the adventurous! Make Caledonia, WI your final destination and someone will pick you up at the train station.)
The registration fee for the meeting is $300.
Lodging and meals is $400. (This includes lodging on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as well as 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.) All rooms are single-occupancy.
Please use this link to register. When you have completed the registration process, please print the final payment page and send it, with a check, to our treasurer, Damon Laaker. (His address is on the payment page.)
Registration Deadline is October 17, 2025.
If you are interested in participating online, please contact Carol Jeunnette ([email protected]).