Celebration of John McNeill
The centenary of John J. McNeill’s birth was the occasion to screen Brendan Fay’s film on John, “Taking a Chance on God” at Fordham University on October 6, 2025. Brendan, along with Moderator Professor Bryan Massingale, and theologians Jason Steidl and Mary E. Hunt discussed the signal importance of McNeill’s contribution to LGBTIQA+ work in religion.
Here is a link to an article written about the event: https://fordhamobserver.com/80865/recent/news/fordham-honors-catholic-lgbtq-ministry-trailblazer/
Upcoming Programs
WATERmeditation on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:30 pm ET
“Honoring our Guiding Lights” with Brad S. Lutz
Christianity’s All Saints’/Souls’ Days, Buddhism’s Ghost Festival, Sufi Islam’s Urs and Judaism’s Yahrzeit are just a few of the celebrations of ancestors and saints across the globe that honor and keep alive the bond with those who have gone before us. Whether you connect with ancestors, saints, mentors, loved ones or inner spiritual guides, this meditation will invite you to honor the guiding lights of those who have come before you, walked beside you, or lit your path in ways seen and unseen: We are because they were. We become because they live in us.
WATERtalk on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 1 pm ET
“Public Theology and Violent Rhetoric Examined in a Queer Womanist Critical Ethnography” with Teresa L. Smallwood”
This poignant political study from attorney, activist, and academic Teresa L. Smallwood shakes public theology at its roots. Marginalized LGBTQ+ people have been harmed, some killed, by anti-queer Black preaching. Emerging is an all-inclusive creation connected to the imago Dei.
WATERritual Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:30 pm ET
“Hallowed Be the Turning into Darkness” with Diann L. Neu
As the Wheel of the Year turns, light declines and darkness increases in the northern hemisphere. This is the time of year for the annual meeting of the many worlds. October 31 is Halloween, Samhain, the season of the dead. November 1 celebrates the Feast of the Dead in Mexico and All Saints Day in the Christian calendar. November 2 memorializes All Souls Day. This ritual celebrates the closeness of the worlds of the living and dead. It invites us to remember the dead, take a look at our own mortality, and focus on what is ending, dying, or needs to change in our own lives.
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.
Catholic Feminist Meets the Moment with Mary E. Hunt
Kwok Pui Lan sits down with renowned theologian and feminist scholar, Mary E. Hunt, to explore the intersection of faith, feminism, and social justice.
In this discussion, Mary E. Hunt shares her insights on the evolving role of women in the Catholic Church, the pressing need for gender equality, and how feminist theology is shaping the future of religious discourse.
Don’t miss out on this rich blend of intellectual depth, humor, and passion. Kwok’n Roll – a discourse that makes a difference.
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.
Intern at WATER
Be a Part of an Action-based Community
Become a WATER Intern
for Winter or Spring!
WATER welcomes students from seminaries, universities, colleges, volunteer programs, and more to work in the WATER office.
Interns at WATER engage in the full range of activities from office work to program planning. They learn how a small non-profit is run and what it takes to nurture an Alliance.
Those wishing to do their own research will have a chance to utilize WATER’s constantly growing Resource Center as well as consult with our experienced staff through in-house seminars.
Interns must commit to a minimum of six weeks and can stay as long as a year or two. The internship is an on-site internship at the WATER office in Silver Spring, MD. All participants are encouraged to apply for academic credit from their home institutions for their work at WATER. We are delighted to work with programs that sponsor volunteers with expenses shared by WATER as the on-site placement.
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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.