“…a word in season, how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23
“It is hard to describe what happens during a session of “New Lectio Divina” led by Kate Burke. In one way it is easy, you read a text aloud in over a dozen different ways. In another way it is really hard to describe the way the text comes alive. The scripture turns “3D” where the words leap up from the page. They each take on different fonts and sizes and pop up. You notice each word, how they stand out and how they work together. And on a deeper level the text becomes written on the heart. ..”
–Maren Hange, Co-pastor, Charlottesville Mennonite Church
“Today trust in language is fragile. Perhaps ‘Prayer’ for many people is the most sacred and direct understanding of the power of language. Kate Burke’s own life journey and experience, coupled with her considerable skills as a Voice Teacher put her uniquely placed to lead this work. She has passion and compassion for language…”
—Andrew Wade, former Head of Voice, Royal Shakespeare Company, 1990-2003.
“Kate Burke’s workshop…knocked me over…Who knew that we would be marching around, calling out, using our whole selves “just” to read a text. And for all these years I thought that you read a text with tongue, teeth, throat, lungs, and air. Kate changed that!…I was happy to submit to whatever she thought would be good for us. Wow, did she deliver!
—John Dobbins, U.Va. Mayo Distinguished Teaching Professor
“When we started working on the passage we were looking in the window. When we finished we were in the room.”
—Katie Hillgrove, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Student Minister
“Kate Burke set the tone for a holy, warm gathering in which I could safely explore a rich scriptural passage and grow in my understanding of the Word. Sharing this experience alongside other believers strengthened my confidence to proclaim with loving conviction the Good News of Jesus Christ. The unique exercises of scriptural proclamation on which Kate guided me have enriched my heart.”
––Ross Goodwin, lector, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
“… Kate had the group recite nine scriptural verses … over and over again. At the beginning of the session we were merely reading the words, albeit with understanding. By the session’s end, after employing Kate’s simple but powerful techniques, we spoke these same words as if as they had claimed us and we were called to proclaim them.”
–Rabbi Daniel Alexander, Congregation Beth Israel
“Kate helped me to more effectively proclaim the Word of God. Now I am a more competent and confident priest and preacher. I heartily recommend Kate Burke.”
—Rev. Dominic Langevin, O.P., Doctoral Student, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
“I have watched Kate Burke lead groups in a masterful and even holy manner. Her comprehensive mastery of her field and her own spirit impart a kind of calm to participants. I am deeply impressed at how she enables even frequent readers of the Bible to experience the presence of God in the Scriptures in fresh and deep ways. I commend her without reservation to help people engage with the God of the Bible.”
—The Reverend Dr. John P. Chandler
“Are hugs in order? You took me on a journey from my mind to my heart.”
—Prof. Dorothy Tullman, U.Va. School of Nursing
“An extraordinary spiraling down into true Christian unity.”
—Byron Harris, Former Owner, Splintered Light Bookstore, U.Va. Christian Center
“I felt myself strangely and wonderfully stirred as I was reading Scripture after Friday’s experience with you…now the experience is far richer and sometimes even physically moving as my body, mind and spirit all respond to the words…You have given me the impetus to speak the words aloud, to experience the sounds, silences, cadences unnoticed in silent reading. Thank you for your wonderful gift to me.”
—Rev. Claire Wolterstorff, Episcopal Priest (Ret.)
“I have known Kate for many years now, both when I was a United Methodist clergyman and through my shift to Roman Catholicism. Moreover, in my current role as a teacher of U.Va. students I have had occasion to be a student in one of Kate’s workshops… her knowledge of hearing, reading and understanding will bring spiritual and meaningful depth to any participant’s apprehension of Scripture. Simply hearing her will be a revelation, and learning from her how to read will be an inspiration.”–Phil Gates.
–Life Skills Director, U.Va. Department of Athletics