RCWMS is seeking applicants for the
Queer Clergywomen Thriving in the South
February–August 2022 Cohort
The Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South (RCWMS) is seeking applicants for Queer Clergywomen Thriving in the South, a seven-month, virtual, peer-supported cohort led by an experienced facilitator. The second annual cohort of eight participants (queer clergywomen* who have been religious leaders for 10 years or fewer) will meet monthly for a 2-hour Zoom meeting from February through August, 2022. These virtual meetings will allow participants to form and deepen relationships with one another, practice and reflect upon skills learned, and hold one another and themselves accountable for learning and growth. We welcome applicants from all religious traditions, and we are committed to gathering a racially and religiously diverse cohort.
*We recognize that the terms “clergywomen” and “religious leader” are limiting and imperfect. We will use these terms liberally and inclusively within the selection process, and we invite you to apply for the cohort even if these terms are not a perfect fit.
The deadline to apply for Queer Clergywomen Thriving in the South is Friday, December 17, 2021, at 5:00 pm ET.
RCWMS is an intergenerational, interfaith organization that weaves together feminism, spirituality, and social justice through its programs in LGBTQ spirituality, women’s preaching, anti-racism, issue advocacy, writing and art, conscious elderhood, spiritual practices, and more. We invite all women, including trans women, to participate in our programming and take part in our community.
What is the purpose of Queer Clergywomen Thriving in the South?
The Need: Interviews have shown that many clergywomen, LGBTQ religious leaders in particular, feel isolated and unsure of where to turn for community. Given the varying levels of acceptance and support within their religious communities, queer clergywomen too often become discouraged and find themselves suffering burnout.
The Vision: We hope to provide a space where queer clergywomen can come together, with the support of a skilled facilitator, to create healthy collegial relationships and find new options for self-care, including resources in their local communities that can help sustain participants long after the program is over.
The Plan: A peer-supported cohort, led by an experienced facilitator, will meet for a 2-hour video chat once a month from February through August. The cohort of eight participants will allow opportunity for relationships to form and deepen with one another, for the purpose of renewing queer clergywomen as they serve religious and spiritual communities.
The first Queer Clergywomen Thriving in the South cohort was made possible in part by generous support from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.
What does participation look like?
- Attending monthly, 2-hour Zoom meetings from February through August, 2022
- Completing designated readings, activities, and spiritual practices in between sessions
- Communicating regularly with the program director and facilitator
- Checking in monthly (via phone or Zoom, for 15–30 minutes) with one of your peers, a fellow cohort participant
What can participants expect from RCWMS?
- A small stipend of $500
- An experienced and intentional facilitator, Rev. Katie Ricks, to guide monthly Zoom meetings
- A dedicated program director to respond to the needs and dreams of the cohort
- An assigned cohort buddy to briefly connect with one-on-one between sessions
- Resources and readings sent via email
- Small gifts and items for spiritual practice mailed to you
Who should apply? Participants should be:
- Queer clergywomen from any religious tradition who have been religious leaders for 10 years or fewer
- Interested in connecting with other queer clergywomen and contributing within a virtual community
- Available to attend the scheduled monthly Zoom meetings, which will be a weekday afternoon
- Able to complete 1–2 hours of reading, writing, and/or spiritual practices in between monthly meetings
- Committed to maintaining confidentiality in regard to the identities and experiences of those in the cohort
Click HERE to apply.
Next Steps: RCWMS will review all application materials and contact you by January 15, 2022 to update you regarding the status of your application. If you have questions about Queer Clergywomen Thriving in the South or the application process, please contact Tsharre at SandersTsharre@ctsnet.edu.
RCWMS is committed to fostering the leadership of people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, low-income people, LGBTQ+ and trans* people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence, and people living in the many intersections of these experiences. We strongly encourage people from these communities to apply and will not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, socioeconomic class, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex, religion, disability status, citizenship status, age, veteran status, or national origin.
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