RCWMS leads a wide variety of projects with a feminist approach to creativity, spirituality, and social justice. We are committed to providing space and encouragement for folks to create art, write, and develop their unique spiritual practices. These practices strengthen various movements for social change.
Read on to learn more about our projects. Looking for upcoming workshops, retreats, and programs? Visit our Events page to see what’s coming soon.
Jereann King Johnson Documentary Project
The Resource Center for Women and Ministry and the Black Feminist Film School are producing a documentary film that will tell the story of the life and work of African American quilter, educator, and community organizer Jereann King Johnson. A long-time North Carolina resident, Johnson pieces together people, organizations, and resources into racial and social justice.
For Johnson, quilting is a dynamic metaphor for living, for community development, and for creative expression; quilting involves putting together often-discarded pieces to make something new.
The mission of the RCWMS Artist in Residence program is to provide a platform that helps elevate the work of talented local artists. Previous artists-in-residence for RCWMS include Bryant Holsenbeck, Sue Sneddon, and Kimberley Pierce Cartwright.
Our current 22024-2025 artist-in-residence is MJ Sharp, whose piece “Cornwall shooting for Fulbright Project 2021/2022” is featured above. MJ is a photographic artist and educator based in Durham, NC.
In 2024, Racquel Gill joined the Resource Center as our first Theologian in Residence. Racquel served as the Minister for Intercultural Engagement at Duke University Chapel in Durham, NC. She now serves in local government for the City of Raleigh. Read Racquel’s introductory blog post describing her vision for this new role here.
Art of Conscious Aging
The Art of Conscious Aging group meets twice monthly, with rotating topics and discussion leaders. Participants explore all facets of elderhood through intentional conversation.
As part of the broader RCWMS Elder Women’s Project, we invite you to read about past programs, leaders, and resources, and to read about our Foremothers. Interested in joining the Art of Conscious Aging group? Email info@rcwms.org.
Kindred Spirits: A Convergence of African American Quilters
In June 2023 & 2025, African American quilters from across the country joined together in Durham, NC to explore African American quilting, network, and celebrate the legacy of Juneteenth.
The conference features a variety of workshops from top quilting professionals and a pop-up quilt show. Check out a blog post celebrating Kindred Spirits 2023 here, and reflections on the 2025 gathering here. The next Kindred Spirits festival is being planned for 2027.
Meinrad Craighead (1936-2019) was an artist who spent her life exploring the human-divine relationship through art, particularly in images of God as the Great Mother. Read more about Meinrad and view her art and lectures here. View and purchase prints by Meinrad Craighead in our shop.
Queer Divinity Students* Thriving in the South
Queer Divinity Students Thriving in the South is a virtual, peer-supported cohort for queer religious leaders. Variations of this program have been offered every year, beginning in 2021.
Applications for the spring 2026 cohort are open. For more information and to apply, click here.
RCWMS aims to work across generations, in part by supporting women and nonbinary folks at the beginning of their journeys who are interested in the intersections of justice, religion, feminism, and womanism.
Anita McLeod was our former board chair and founder of the Resource Center’s elder women’s project. In her later years, Anita began to work intergenerationally and supported younger women in developing and expressing their voices. When she died in 2017, her husband Mike made a generous gift to create a paid, part-time internship.
Each year we recruit a student or early-career individual to intern with us. We are not currently seeking interns.
Essay Contest
Most years RCWMS holds an essay contest, typically in the summer. The essay contest invites women (cis and trans) and nonbinary folks 18 years of age or older to submit up to two nonfiction essays of 1,200 words or less on a given theme. Winning essays are awarded prizes and published in our quarterly newsletter, South of the Garden and/or on our blog. Our essay contest program is currently on pause. Stay tuned tuned for updates!
HOMEGROWN: NC Women’s Preaching Festival
Homegrown is an annual preaching festival that takes place in October. In an ecumenical spirit of love and collegiality, we lift up the voices of local clergywomen (trans/cis) to encourage and inspire, share and learn, and hone their craft. Conference attendees hear wonderful preaching and share time for group conversations on the art of proclamation in all its forms.
Racial Justice Commitments
The RCWMS staff and board are committed to the ongoing work of reckoning with racism within ourselves, our communities, and our organization. As part of this commitment, we organize groups to participate in guided tours of Historic Stagville. Stagville is dedicated to teaching about the lives and work of enslaved people on the plantation. Upcoming group tours can be found on our Events page.
RCWMS has four portable labyrinths that can be rented for indoor workshops and retreats. Two of them are 40’x40’ canvas. The third canvas labyrinth is smaller, 24’x24’, yet retains all the elements of the 11-circuit Chartres canvas labyrinth. The fourth is a smaller rainbow 15’x15’ labyrinth, made from heavy ripstop nylon. Contact info@rcwms.org for more information.
Feminist & Womanist Spiritual Direction
The RCWMS Feminist & Womanist Spiritual Direction Project connects folks with the formal practice of spiritual direction by providing a directory of feminist and womanist spiritual directors and their contact information. A spiritual director acts as both companion and mentor to the directee. Spiritual directors typically enter their role with the blessing of a community that recognizes their received gifts and training for holy listening and spiritual wisdom.