WATER – Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual | We are an international community of justice-seeking people who promote the use of feminist values to make religious and social change. We invite you to partner with us to continue making waves in feminism, religions, and societies!

May 7 Mary Hunt on Interfaith Voices Radio

Mary E. Hunt was a featured guest on the radio program Interfaith Voices. Her segment of the show, entitled “The Vatican’s Crackdown on American Nuns: Two Views,” is available for listening here.

The show was blurbed on the Interfaith Voices’ website as follows:

“Serious doctrinal problems.” That was the Vatican’s official verdict on the largest leadership group of nuns in America, the Leadership Council for Women Religious. Among the complaints: the group is silent on core issues like abortion and homosexuality.

Reactions are mixed: some say that nuns, as vowed members of the Catholic Church, must first be obedient to the Vatican. Others say the church is changing, and that nuns are following their consciences. Two Catholic women – a feminist theologian and conservative journalist – debate the validity of the Vatican’s April statement. Read more.

May 13 In Memory of Her: Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz

Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Presente!
(March 22, 1943 – May 13, 2012)

WATER celebrates the wonderful life and mourns the passing of Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz.

Ada was a longtime compañera in the struggles for justice for women and all who are oppressed. She was an early staff person for the Women’s Ordination Conference and a stalwart supporter of women’s theological and ministerial empowerment. Her autobiographical remarks can be found here. Read more.

April 28 Mary Hunt Quoted in New York Times

Mary E. Hunt, co-founder and co-director at WATER, wrote an article for Religion Dispatches about the Vatican’s recent crackdown on the Catholic Leadership Conference of Women Religious. The article has since gone viral and was quoted by Nicholas Kristof in the Sunday New York Times. Read more.

In Memory Of Her: Jane Schaberg

WATER joins many friends and colleagues in mourning the death on April 17, 2012, of Dr. Jane Schaberg. Jane was Professor of Religious Studies and Women’s Studies at the University of Detroit Mercy. She was a creative and highly regarded feminist scholar whose work on Mary Magdalene is considered foundational in the field.

Jane was also a poet. Following is a poem (from a forthcoming volume of poems and essays) in which she expresses her hopes about death and her care for her beloved horse, Rappahannock.

May the legacy of her writing continue to be a blessing for all who wish to see women, including women in scripture, in the fullness of their humanity. Read more.

May 13 Blessings on Mother’s Day! A Prayer by Diann Neu

Ask a child – A mother is anyone who nurtures and cares for children.

Blessed be all mothers.
Blessed be all the mothers of mothers.
Blessed be all the daughters of mothers.
Now, and forever.
Amen.

Happy Mother’s Day from WATER! Read more.

June 4 Meditation / Contemplative Prayer

WATER offers a regular contemplative prayer opportunity each month. Join us on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 7:30 PM. This will be a communal meditation, a time of silence and reflection followed by a short discussion. This month’s meditation will be led by Janis Roihl from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The office will be open at 7 PM for a cup of tea and conversation. Silence will commence promptly at 7:30 PM, so please be here by then. We will finish and be on our way by 8:30 PM. You can also join us by telephone. Read more.

June 13 Teleconference with Dr. Nikki Young

Join us on June 13th at 1pm (Eastern) to talk with Dr. Thelathia “Nikki” Young. Her research and work focuses on ethical issues of race, gender, and sexuality with particular attention to the black queer community. The teleconference, entitled “Queering the Human Situation,” is sure to be an engaging hour. To RSVP, please e-mail the words “Register Me” to waterstaff@waterwomensalliance.org and you will receive dial-in information. More information to follow! Read more.

May 16 Teleconference with Melanie Morrison and Julia Watts Belser

Join us on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, at 1pm (EDT) to talk with Melanie Morrison and Julia Watts Belser. Melanie and Julia teamed up to co-author an article entitled “What No Longer Serves Us: Resisting Ableism and Anti-Judaism in New Testament Healing Narratives” published in the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion. Read more.