About Director Rev. Holly W. Whitcomb


Holly Whitcomb


Rev. Holly W. Whitcomb has been a minister in the United Church of Christ since her graduation from Yale Divinity School in 1978. She has served churches in Connecticut, Iowa, and Wisconsin. She is also a graduate of the two-year training program for spiritual directors at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C. As the Director of Kettlewood Retreats, Holly travels to churches, retreat houses, colleges, and conference centers to lead retreats and spirituality events around the country. She is also a spiritual director offering one-to-one spiritual direction.






Holly takes time to cook and is big on hospitality. One of Holly's hobbies is designing and making jewelry and she sometimes incorporates "art as meditation" into her retreats. In addition, she is an avid hike leader with a Wisconsin hiking club and loves the outdoors. She is the author of five books and over 75 spirituality resources in various books and periodicals. Holly lives with her husband John in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Holly and John have two adult children.



Holly has provided leadership for hundreds of groups. These include:
Holy Wisdom Monastery, Madison, WINiantic Community Church, Niantic, CTHospice of Iowa City, IowaCatholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, WIUnited Church of Christ Clergy of the Missouri Mid-South ConferenceThe United Methodist Women of PennsylvaniaSequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TNThe United Methodist Clergywomen of WisconsinIowa United Church of Christ Annual Conference MeetingThe Cathedral Heritage Foundation, Louisville, KYThe Spiritual Renewal Task Force of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of ChristRock Spring Congregational Church, Arlington, VAThe United Church of Christ Women of MinnesotaKirkridge, Bangor, PAChurch Women United, National MeetingLakeland CollegeFaber Center, Marquette University