Our keynote speaker this year is Anthony Cruz Pantojas! Read more about the keynote theme and Anthony below.
Living in the Interstices: Spiritual Reflections from a Queer Afro-Caribbean Humanist: "This talk explores the significance of personal history as a site of knowledge production and worldmaking. In particular, I contextualize the questions that have guided my spiritual, philosophical, and ethical journey. Harnessing my own personal archive of memory and histories which conjures otherwise modes of being, relating, and understanding towards liberatory futures for all."
Anthony Cruz Pantojas, (they/he/elle/él) is a bilingual doctoral candidate in Cultural Studies. They serve as the Humanist Chaplain at Tufts University where they are also the inaugural graduate student of the Anti-Racist Curatorial Practice Program. Anthony has been recognized with numerous awards, including an Interfaith Innovation Fellowship sponsored by Interfaith America and spearheads an initiative for BIPOC first-generation emerging spiritual and ethical leaders. Cruz Pantojas earned master’s degrees in Theological Studies, and Leadership Studies from Andover Newton Theological School and Meadville Lombard Theological School, respectively. Additionally, they hold a Certificate in Humanist Studies from the American Humanist Association Center for Education where they are the first graduate of the program. Currently, they serve as an Advisory Committee Member for Spiritual Care by & For the Unaffiliated with the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, sponsored by Fetzer Institute. Additionally, they serve as Board Member of the Association of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education, the Secular Coalition for America, Mystic Soul Project, among other non-profit organizations.
Interfaith Zine Workshop: Exploring Identity Across Mediums During this art project, participants will have a chance to explore personal identities and experiences through creative expression, share perspectives in an interfaith community, and challenge convention! All Ripple attendees are invited to join us in crafting our personal narratives and identities through the visual form. We will create customized zines by engaging with a variety of mediums, from newspaper scraps to pictures and words. No artistic experience needed!
Humanism for Everyday Life Led by Anthony Cruz Pantojas(they/he/elle/él), Humanist Chaplain, Tufts University
This session introduces humanism as an embodied life philosophy that seeks to inquire about the human condition in creative and liberator ways. Participants will examine the genealogies of humanist thought, and applications in today's sociopolitical context.
Saturday February 18, 2023 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Lindner 106
In Your Own Words: Telling a Queer and Spiritually Integrated Story Led by Luis Garay (they/them), Director of the LGBTQIA and Gender Center, Elon University
Description coming soon!
Saturday February 18, 2023 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Gray 103
The Red Tent Led by Hillary Zaken (she/her), Interim Assistant Dean of Multifaith Engagement, Elon University
The Red Tent is a gathering that celebrates female spirituality and energy. It is a real space where participants will create a circle where they can speak and listen, share, and reflect. This space is open to female, non-binary, and female-identifying people. If you have any questions about whether this space is appropriate for you, reach out to Hillary Zaken and Rabbi Maor Greene
The V’Ahavta Spiral Led by Boaz Avraham-Katz (he/him), Jewish Educator at Hillel and Professor of World Languages and Cultures, Elon University
With the help of the verses “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” taken from the book of Deuteronomy in the Hebrew Bible and forming one of the central prayers in Judaism, we will explore the deeper meaning of each of the words — heart, soul and might with the help of activities and discussions, exploring who we are in this moment and where we are in our life’s journey.
A Call to Conscience: Students, Educators & the Parliament of the World's Religions Led by Miriam Quezada (she/her) and Emma Carr (she/her), Parliament of the World's Religions
Join the Parliament of the World's Religions -- the world’s largest, most diverse, and inclusive interfaith Convening of people of faith, spirituality, and goodwill -- in this information session exploring the opportunities for students, educators, and institutions at the upcoming 2023 Parliament of the World's Religions. The 2023 Parliament Convening will gather thousands in Chicago, IL from August 14th-18th on the theme of "A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights."
Kabbalah and Buddhism: Exploring Intersections Led by Rabbi Maor Greene (they/them), Associate Chaplain for Jewish Life, Elon University
The session will explore, through short text studies and meditation exercises, some of the overlaps between Jewish mystical traditions and Buddhist practices.
Love Covers: The Power of Love Led by India Goode, Elon University
During this session, India will teach about love from a Christian Biblical perspective but apply it through a lens of intersectionality. She will lead a group discussion on how we can cultivate love amongst each other despite differences.
Saturday February 18, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Belk 201
The East/West Connection of Taoism and Christianity Led by Bob Martin (he/him), Adjunct Professor of Law, Elon University
During this presentation, we will compare the major themes of the Tao with the Old and New Testament teachings, especially the new (for the times) teachings of Jesus. We will also discuss the difficulties and pleasures of transliterating writings from one spiritual tradition into another. Professor Martin has authored a Christian interpretation of the seminal book of Taoism: The Tao te Ching
Saturday February 18, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lindner 106
Spirit and Pride 101 Led by Rev. Julie Tonnesen (she/her), Associate University Chaplain, Elon University
This session will give a brief history and overview of the Spirit and Pride initiative at Elon. Secondly, it will offer tips and tricks on starting similar initiatives at other institutions, and give participants space to ask questions. This breakout session will particularly address the intersectionality of religious/spiritual and gender/LGBTQIA+ identities.
Saturday February 18, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Gray 103
Using the I Ching as a self-realization practice Led by Bob Martin (he/him), Adjunct Professor of Law, Elon University
The I Ching is a centuries-old tool for developing mastery in life. It is founded in the Taoist philosophy that there is a flow of Spiritual energy, and it teaches how to recognize the nature of that energy and align oneself with that energy to develop a meaningful, purposeful, and moral life. In Western terms, it could be described as a guide to recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. Far from being a New Age, crystal and chimes oracle, the I Ching is an encyclopedia of profound thinking. Carl Jung, the famous Swiss Psychiatrist, was fascinated and impressed with its effectiveness as a tool for self-therapy and self-realization. Professor Martin has been an I Ching practitioner for decades and credits it for shaping his life. This will not be an academic presentation of the esoteric principles underlying the I Ching but a hands-on exploration of how to consult, use and practice the I Ching.
Saturday February 18, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Lindner 106
Interfaith America Podcast Discussion: Why do we treat people as 'other'? Led by Ivy Breivogel (she/her), Director of the Ripple conference, Graduate Intern, Elon University
We will listen to the Interfaith America Podcast episode 3 (described below). Throughout the podcast and following the end, we will have roundtable discussion about first reactions, takeaways, reflections, and critiques. Feel free to bring with you an art project to work on while we listen.
"Why do we treat people as 'other'? How do we connect with people with whom we profoundly disagree? Law professor john a. powell (who spells his name in lowercase in the belief that we should be 'part of the universe, not over it, as capitals signify') holds the Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion and is a Professor of Law, African American Studies, and Ethnic Studies at University of California, Berkeley, where he is also the director of the Othering & Belonging Institute. In a deeply personal conversation with Eboo, powell relates how he embarked on a spiritual quest, endured divisions within his family and became a profound advocate for belonging and 'bridging,' a term he uses to describe building connections with others. 'Wherever you start bridging is where you start growing,' powell says."
Saturday February 18, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Belk 201
Y'all the Future: Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom Led by Rev. Brandee Jasmine Mimitzraiem (she/her), Director of Institutional Engagement and Public Theology, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
This session will introduce Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) as an organization and then introduce the SYRF program as a way for students to become engaged. Discussion will be centered around how faith and reproductive freedom interact, and participants will engage in small group work, with an exercise to speak on a component of reproductive freedom from a faith perspective.
Reproductive Justice Across Faith Traditions Saturday, February 18 at 6:30 pm, in McKinnon Hall, our panel will also be part of the wInterfaith series.
Three of our panelists will be Rev. Brandee Jasmine Mimitzraiem, Director of Institutional Engagement and Public Theology for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Dr. Keeli Gailes, a physical therapist who works in the specialty setting of pelvic health and preventative healthcare, and Hillary Zaken, Interim Assistant Dean of Multifaith Engagement at Elon University. Learn more about the panelists below!
Rev. Brandee Jasmine Mimitzraiem: As RCRC’s Director of Institutional Engagement and Public Theology, Rev. Brandee Jasmine leads efforts to move outside of strictly-Christian spaces and into reproductive justice (RJ) spaces, incorporating a diverse and multi-faith strategy into our work. Rev. Brandee Jasmine was ordained an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2003 and has pastored congregations in Utah, Kansas, and Nebraska. She prioritizes the well-being within the real-lived experiences of Black Queer women and children, and works to create and sustain safe places across the intersectional realities of race, sexuality, gender expression, and class within the Church and in communities. She has two donor-conceived sons and two dogs (she calls them “models of pastoral leadership”), all of whom keep life full of laughter. Rev. Brandee Jasmine is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Keeli Gailes Dr. Gailes is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health. As such, she regularly works with pregnant and post-partum individuals as well as those who have been affected by sexual violence. She is passionate about the issue of access to quality healthcare, be it for reproductive health or otherwise. As such, she founded a non-profit in 2021 to address the issues that keep our healthcare system from providing equitable access to quality healthcare for all. The non-profit, Health for the People, has a mission "To include all voices in healthcare reform and assist those currently left behind in order to improve quality healthcare access now and later."
Saturday February 18, 2023 6:15pm - 7:30pm EST
McKinnon Hall
Sacred Sounds Coffee House is a way to relax after a long day of conferencing. There will be food, coffee, and live performances. There has been music, poetry, and even dance performances. Note: "Sacred" means different things to different people- the event tends to lean secular but may have a range of religiousness. We've had people perform everything from traditional hymns to Taylor Swift!
