Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia

Interfaith Women Leadership Initiative

Mission

The Interfaith Women Leadership Initiative engages the rich diversity of women serving congregations and communities in order to strengthen spiritual connections, enhance understanding, share resources and affirm our distinctive calls to action.

History

The Delaware Valley is home to hundreds of women clergy. This population—ordained female rabbis, priests and ministers—is from diverse racial, religious, professional and socioeconomic contexts, and it is they who serve our diverse region.

The Interfaith Women Leadership Initiative was created in 2002 by clergywomen who recognized clergywomen’s desire for programming that would begin to address their unique needs. The group formed in conjunction with the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia with support from VAAD: the Board of Rabbis. In 2004, the Interfaith Women Clergy became part of the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia.

Each year since 2003 an interfaith retreat has been held for women clergy of the region. The one-day retreat centers on a specific theme and includes dialogue, reflection, storytelling, text study and workshops to examine and reflect on the retreat’s theme. Themes of the annual retreat have included: Body, Mind, Spirit, Women and Power, Replenishing the Wellsprings of Joy and Creating Sacred Space Within and Without.

For more information about the annual retreat and other programming, please contact our office.