Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation, a community practicing contemplation, compassion and courage, will launch our ninth two year spiritual formation program in August 2019. Grace Institute is a program of renewal and transformation for individuals and congregational groups, laypersons, deacons and pastors. Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation is centered on contemplative practices, building trust and companionship in small groups and learning through an action/reflection model. The eight quarterly retreats from August 2019 to May 2021 all meet at Shalom Spirituality Center in Dubuque, IA. Presenters and musicians for Grace Institute's ninth program include Pastor Amy Zalk Larson, Pastor Lenny Duncan and Prof. Craig Nessan. Music and worship leaders include Greg Berg, Hans Peterson, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Mary Preus and Tom Witt. The Grace Institute alumni list includes almost 300 pastors and laypersons from around the country. 

Past participants have spoken of Grace Institute as a "community of transformation and healing," "a place of trust" and "a time of deep renewal." One graduate recounted the experience of Grace Institute with a poetic touch: "After two years, many hours of reading and study, much laughter, some tears, and more transcendent moments than I could have imagined, I am covered in the dust of Grace. Thank you."