30 World Religions Gerrit van Dyk, Brigham Young University, Secretary MEMBERS PRESENT • Beth Kumar, Chair, Graduate Theological Union • Alexis Weiss, Vice Chair, Loyola Marymount University • Gerrit van Dyk, Secretary, Brigham Young University • Daniel Baek, Vancouver School of Theology • Jennifer Bartholomew, Sacred Heart Seminary & School of Theology • Judy Clarence, California State University, East Bay, Emerita • Dan Flores, Texas Lutheran University • Barnaby Hughes, Atla • Patrick Milas, New Brunswick Theological Seminary • Stephen Sweeney, Saint John Vianney Seminary • Megan Welsh, University of Colorado, Boulder AGENDA 1) Introductions 2) Last year in review 3) Nominations of Open Positions 4) Plans for next year and rollover of ideas from before Interest Group Meetings 31 DISCUSSION Last Year in Review Most projects and plans went on hiatus due to the pandemic. We had a brief discussion of the effects of COVID-19 on our institutions. Nominations and describing positions available Vice-Chair • Chairs meetings in the absence of the chairperson. • Assumes all duties of the chairperson in the event the chairperson cannot complete their term of office. • In consultation with the Chair is responsible for the development of program ideas. • Advances electronic projects related to world religions that may be located on the Atla web site. • Manages the email discussion list. Secretary • Submits the report on the annual conference meeting of the WRIG to the Editor of Member Publications for inclusion in the Atla Summary of Proceedings. • Maintains the names and addresses, including e-mail addresses, of Steering Committee members and their terms of office. • Works with the Atla Member Programs staff to update the information related to the World Religions Interest Group on the Atla web site. 32 A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet will assume the role of Vice Chair. Secretary position remains open. Plans for the Year and Rollover Ideas a) Podcast? i. Interviewing each other and others on various topics. ii. Some topics like religion and gender or religion and politics. iii. Need someone who is familiar with podcasting. iv. Alexis said she would be able to do the audio editing. v. Alexis is going to send more info and create a possible schedule. b) Blog? i. Example from the DEI committee entry Alexis wrote. ii. Writers would come from volunteers in WRIG. iii. Short—2-3 pages with a bibliography. iv. Barnaby Hughes volunteered to do something about academic journals and interfaith publishing, including possibly interviewing editors. v. Judy Clarence mentioned she would be willing to draft a post on a combined theological library conference with an institution in Kenya. c) Atlantis Monthly discussions? i. Atlantis is slated to migrate to a different platform but we would be posting to the new format whenever that migration occurs. 1. They are currently doing beta testing of the new platform with some members but they hope to move to full production in fall. Interest Group Meetings 33 ii. We are looking for a two or three sentence topic to use to generate discussion. d) Atla LibGuide- Websites on Religion? https://atla.libguides.com/WOR i. Alexis showed the current site and updated us all on where the content is now. WRIG and PSIG will work together to find volunteers for updating and adding new sections. e) Required: One big WRIG event (webinar, speaker) – Atla Baltimore 2022. i. Alexis asked participants share any ideas— particularly those who are familiar or live around the Baltimore area, including other Atla members. f) Other ideas? i. Some clarifying questions were asked; Jennifer Bartholomew volunteered to write a blog post about the interfaith women’s group she is a part of in Milwaukee. ii. The history of Atla and WRIG was also discussed, especially when the association moved from primarily Christian institutions and programs to other faith traditions. iii. Cataloging conventions and world religions could also be a topic. iv. Alexis also suggested sending the group announcements for any interfaith functions they are sponsoring. 34 A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES (HOSTED PROGRAMS) Atla Annual Session: Service to the Community: Listen and Learn with Mona Kafeel, the Executive Director of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation Presenter: Mona Kafeel Mrs. Kafeel joined us for a listen and learn about the history of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, the challenges facing the community, and the varieties of work the foundation offers. This included discussing the role of women in the family, training for domestic violence awareness, and diversity training in the wider Ft. Worth community. 2020-2021 GROUP: [pictured, left to right] Beth Kumar, Alexis Weiss, Dan Flores, Judy Clarence, Gerrit van Dyk, Jennifer Bartholomew, Zach Motts, Stephen Sweeney, Megan Welsh, Barnaby Hughes