Cindy Lapp at Alumni Tentalk at EMU
WATER is thrilled to announce that Cindy Lapp, longtime WATER staff person and
colleague, received the Distinguished Service Award from Eastern Mennonite University in
October 2026. Cindy is an ordained minister, pastor of the Hyattsville Mennonite Church, and a
social justice activist working on issues of immigration. She is a 1986 gradate in Music Education
from EMU. She puts that training to use both in the congregational setting and in the Washington Women’s Chorale. Congratulations, Cindy, on a well-deserved honor.
Watch Cindy’s acceptance speech at: Watch her part from minutes 37:54- 49:03.
Theological Writings by Mary E. Hunt
Catholic Church’s ‘Theological Pornography’ Continues to Harm LGBTQI+ People 40 Years On.
WATER in the Media
Introducing “Kwok’n Roll” – The Podcast That Sparks Bold Conversations!
Join the incredible Kwok Pui Lan as she kicks off her highly anticipated podcast, Kwok’n Roll! In each episode, Kwok Pui Lan dives deep into captivating conversations with some of the brightest minds of our time—trailblazing intellectuals, fearless religious leaders, passionate activists, and groundbreaking artists. Together, they explore the pressing political, cultural, and religious issues shaping our world today, all while examining the vital role people of faith play in these pivotal conversations. Listen to the podcast on Podbean.
Faithful Provocations
What does it mean to be a person of faith in today’s challenging world? Postcolonial theologian Kwok Pui Lan explores Christianity, social justice, and cross-cultural dialogue — with wit, depth, and a little rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Formerly Kwok ‘n’ Roll channel. Watch the series on YouTube.
Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation (CBC) Interview:
In an interview with the CBC, feminist theologian Mary E. Hunt urged urgent reform of the papal election process. Co-founder of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER), Hunt explained that the process lacks transparency and needs to be more inclusive. With concern growing about Pope Francis’ health, she stressed the importance of including a far more diverse group of electors, including young people and women. She also commented on the movie “Conclave” lest viewers think they know much more about the secret process. Women were portrayed accurately in the movie as only one had real voice. Surely change is needed.
What is WATER? 40 Years and Forward!
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Land Acknowledgement
WATER, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, acknowledges that it sits on the traditional and contemporary homeland of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank (sometimes known as the Anacostan) people, the original stewards of this land.
We are committed to lifting up the names of these lands and the community members from these nations who reside alongside us and who were here long before we were. We affirm WATER’s intention to promote healing, respect, and love for all people through our work, with special indebtedness to Native people whose lands we are privileged to share.