Kindle & Connect: An Interfaith Gathering of Women Leaders

The BTS Center

97 India Street • Portland, ME 04101

www.thebtscenter.org

June 2, 2021

Dear Female Friends of The BTS Center,

I’m writing to share an invitation to join me in attending Kindle & Connect: A Multifaith Gathering of Women Leaders. This virtual half-day conference – on June 16 – will feature speakers, breakout sessions and panels with women from different spiritual communities sharing their work to create meaning, build spiritual resilience and lead their communities in this time.

The BTS Center is one of several sponsors and partners for this event, and I have been serving on the planning committee, helping to create a conference where every participant will learn something, meet someone, and take something home.

As part of the gathering, I will be leading a workshop on Sacred Ritual in a Time of Ecological Emergency with Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, author of a recently published ecologically oriented Passover haggadah called The Promise of the Land, and Saarah Latif, GreenFaith Fellow and one of The BTS Center's eco-innovators from Convocation 2020. I would love to see you in that workshop or one of the plenary sessions.

As we faithfully respond to global crises like climate change, partnerships and relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and traditions are critical. Please join me in learning, connecting and growing.

Blessings, Nicole

Rev. Nicole Diroff

Program Director • The BTS Center

nicole@thebtscenter.org

Welcome to

Kindle and Connect:

An Interfaith Gathering of Women Leaders!

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

12:00-4:30 pm (Eastern)

You are warmly invited to join us on June 16 to meet women leaders across North America from many different faith and secular/non-religious traditions. This gathering will help all of us build stronger bonds across lines of difference, so that we can all grow in our work.

Learn more

The day's events will include:

1. Keynote: Given by Diana Eck of the Pluralism Project at Harvard

2. Affinity Groups: An opportunity to meet and build relationships with other women like you

3. Workshops: Choose from several topics led by fascinating and diverse women on important issues, like climate challenges and innovative forms of women's leadership

4. An Interfaith Panel: Hear perspectives from national leaders on the gifts women bring to community and interfaith spaces, including so far:

5. Music! And more!

Our goals are simple: in our time together, you will learn something, meet someone, and take something away. After the conference, we will build our new network of women to continue this work of solidarity and building bridges.

FAQ

Who do you mean by "women?"

We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female," and this is a trans-inclusive gathering. We welcome cis women, trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people who feel called to a space that centers the experience of women, including those who have a history of being assigned female.

Who do you mean by "leaders?"

We encourage you to think expansively about the ways so many of us serve in leadership in our communities. Are you:

A member of the clergy?
A religious school teacher?
Someone who speaks publicly on issues relevant to your community?
An organizer of communal meals?
A denominational leader?
Someone leading part of your community in any way?

We welcome any and all who play a leadership role in their community, including and especially in communities that do not formally ordain women.

Do I have to already be involved in interfaith work to attend?

We would love all women leaders — those who have already engaged across faith lines, and those who have not yet — to join us for this event. Whether you are focused primarily on your own community, or seek to expand your work among different communities, there is a space for you here.