In Memory of Her—Kaye Ashe

Kaye was a marvelous woman. We are relieved that her suffering is over. But the world seems a little draftier without her love to warm the corners where marginalized people are consigned and the most effective ministry takes place. May her spirit continue to inspire us, and the many whose lives she touched.

February 2014 Ritual: A Valentine for YOU!

By Diann L. Neu | February opens our hearts to love ― loving self, loving others, loving Earth, and loving justice.

March 5 Teleconference with Anne E. Patrick

(1) "Conscience and Calling: Ethical Reflections on Catholic Women's Church Vocations" Wednesday, March 5, 2014 1 -2 PM EST Anne E. Patrick, SNJM, is William H. Laird Professor of Religion and the Liberal Arts, emerita, at Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota), where during 1980-2009 she taught courses in Christian ethics, Catholicism, feminist and liberation theologies, and religion and literature. RSVP by sending an email with the words “Register Me Teleconference” to waterstaff@hers.com by March 4th to receive dial-in information.

Early Viewing of "Radical Grace"

Erin Saiz Hanna of the Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC), Mary E. Hunt and Diann Neu of WATER enjoyed a rough cut of “Radical Grace” at the Athena Film Festival at Barnard College in NYC. It is a good look at Sisters Jean Hughes, Chris Schenk, and Simone Campbell who are three of thousands of Catholic women getting on with justice work despite the Vatican’s continued recalcitrance. Kudos to the filmmakers for their creativity. Watch a trailer and learn how to help “kickstart” their production with a donation here.

Rev. Coralie Ling of Melbourne, Australia

The Rev. Coralie Ling is a longtime friend and colleague of WATER. She was the first woman to be ordained in the Methodist Church in Melbourne 1969. Later the Methodists with Presbyterians and Congregationalists formed the Uniting Church in Australia 1977. As a Visiting Scholar and Minister, Coralie graces the office annually for a week, usually en route to the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, to catch up on the latest feminist issues in religion. Her wisdom and laughter most recently brightened the WATER office when she visited in November of 2013 before participating in the Feminist Liberation Theologian’s Network at the AAR meeting in Baltimore. Her special interests are in inter-religious work as well as feminist studies in religion.

In Memory of Her—Peggy Cleveland

WATER joins friends and family in mourning the death of Peggy Cleveland, former co-director of the Center for Women and Religion at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She died at the age of 87 in Charlotte, NC. May Peggy’s life and work be a beacon of light.

February 2014 Ritual: Celebrate Brigit's Day, Let Spring Begin!

By Diann L. Neu | Brigit, the female figure of divinity of Old Europe, was said to "breathe life into the mouth of dead winter.”

"Love Your Friends" and "Friends Act Friendly"

Two lectures Mary E. Hunt gave at the Fall Symposium in Sigtuna, Sweden are now available online.

Safety for Women Writers

Women writers face danger every time we put something in print.

Robert Nugent, a Priest’s Priest

Robert Nugent was a scholar and writer. He was also an old fashioned priest with a new fangled congregation.