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    • Home
    • Ways to Participate
      • PROGRAMS
      • COMMON TABLES
      • OTHER GROUPS
    • MEMBERS SPEAK
    • GALLERY
    • WIN NEWS & Events
    • CONTACT
  • Home
  • Ways to Participate
    • PROGRAMS
    • COMMON TABLES
    • OTHER GROUPS
  • MEMBERS SPEAK
  • GALLERY
  • WIN NEWS & Events
  • CONTACT

Programs

       While there are several  interest groups within the organization, WIN Programs, offered three times a year, form the overarching umbrella for all. Fascinating guest speakers share their insights on a host of topics. Afterwards, we enjoy our bag lunches and discuss what we learned at small tables seating six. WIN provides beverages, desserts and side dishes that complement the day’s topic. 

Spring Program 2025

What is Sacred? A Survey of The Divine as Perceived Across World Religions

Are we all praying to the same God? That may be an unanswerable question, but we do know that each religion views the Divine in its own unique way. What are the distinctions and why are

there so many religions? History of Religion scholar James Johnson will lead us on a guided tour across this vast landscape in a lively and engaging way. We will examine practical, theoretical and sociological aspects of various

faiths. Please join us as we ponder these age-old mysteries together.


Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM


This program is FREE and open to ALL.

WIN will supply beverages and snacks.


Oakhurst Clubhouse

4255 Oakhurst Circle East. Sarasota, 34233


Enter from Bee Ridge Road only.

You MUST register in advance! 


Email: melamarcus777@gmail.com before February 2, 2025

Winter Program 2025

World Peace: Can Interfaith Dialogue Help?

Since 1984, the US Institute of Peace has worked to prevent,

mitigate and resolve violent conflicts around the world, including

those with religious undertones–or overtones! On February 9,

Melissa Nozell, their Officer for Religion and Inclusive Societies,

brought her remarkable global experience,

fascinating insights, and stories of active

conflict zones to the relative calm of

Sarasota.

FALL Program 2024

A Holy Shakeup! A Woman’s Journey to Equality in Her Church

Sarasota resident Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan, a bishop serving the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP), spoke to us upon returning from Rome, where she had hoped to attend the Gathering of Bishops and gain an audience with Pope Francis. She got neither, but engaged all of us with the account of her journey from nun to priest to bishop. Perhaps someday women will be considered truly equal and as capable as men to minister to all Catholics as inclusive and welcoming priests. Until then, Bishop Bridget will continue her efforts with the 350 women priests of ARCWP throughout the world.

SPRING Program 2024

Food and Religion

The Spring 2024 Program on Food and Religion welcomed a full house of WIN members and community guests for a fascinating presentation by guest speaker Allison Van Tilborgh, Allison, a scholar who works at the intersection of religion, food, and feminism, led us in a discussion about sacred, forbidden, and symbolic foods, across a broad sweep of world religions. Our buffet featured food items mentioned in the Torah, New Testament, and Koran, along with relevant quotes from all three holy texts. 

WINTER Program 2024

Women In The Clergy

Our Winter 2024 Program on Women in the Clergy featured three dynamic panelists from the Sarasota area. They addressed the history of women ordained in their religions; their personal calling and experiences; the scope of their responsibilities; the expectations of their communities; and what the future holds for women in the clergy. 

FALL Program 2023

Church and State

David Snyder of the Florida Bar delved into the murky terrain that separates “Church” and “State” at the federal level and in Florida. Although we were all ready with tablecloths, centerpieces and refreshments, at the last minute the entire program shifted to a ZOOM presentation because our speaker contracted Covid. Nonetheless, David Snyder presented a clear, informative survey of the issues, from the Divine Right of Kings to the most recent Supreme Court decision.  

SPRING Program 2023

Science and Spirituality

     Of course these two fields are compatible, according to NASA consultant and WIN member Dr. Linda Billings. Sharing the arc of her professional career and spiritual journey, Linda enthralled a full house at our Spring gathering with vignettes and insights from her lived experience. Currently  Consultant to NASA’s Astrobiology Program and Planetary Defense Coordination Office,  trail-blazer Linda is a role model for women in the aerospace industry. She is an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 

Winter Program 2023

J.B. Miller, a Member of the Sarasota Covenant Mennonite Fellowship Shares His Faith

     What do Mennonites believe? How do they worship? In what language do they pray? Do Mennonites celebrate Christmas? How are Mennonites and Amish different? Are there wedding traditions? What about interfaith marriage?…


     Though Sarasota is the home base for several Mennonite and Amish communities, many of us knew little about our neighbors. We realized that the most authentic way to learn would be from a practitioner with excellent knowledge and communication skills. Enter JB Miller, a life-long Sarasotan and member of the Covenant Mennonite Fellowship. Though his parents were reared in Old Order Amish homes, JB’s family later joined a conservative Mennonite group. Today, JB has become a respected lecturer about Amish and Mennonite faith traditions for college classes, journalists and community groups. JB’s message aligns perfectly with the mission of the Women’s Interfaith Network: he addressed the broad range of beliefs across this particular religious spectrum, including members of various Mennonite branches that dress the way most of our members dress and welcome same-sex marriages in their congregations. WIN members and their guests were enthralled with his first-hand lived experience and friendly speaking style. Many stereotypes were abandoned and more nuanced understanding was gained. Bridges were built! Friendships were formed!

Fall Program 2022

Introduction to Hinduism, with a Bit of Bollywood Thrown In

     Learning about Hinduism–as well as Indian dance–made our fall program both educational and fun! Guest Speaker Megha Vaid, President of the Indian Association of Manasota, brought her faith and culture to life during an exuberant fall meeting full of information, handouts, samosas and a few Bollywood moves. Members were fascinated to learn about the wide range of beliefs, including different dietary practices, across Hinduism, the world’s third  largest religion. We were also tickled to learn that this new friend (and now a  WIN member) is a Classical Indian and Bollywood choreographer, instructor, and performer, PLUS…she’s a dentist! The Indian Association of Manasota shares common values with WIN. Devoted to educating and raising awareness about Indian culture and heritage, the group embraces the 3,500-year-old Sanskrit motto: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “The Whole World is One Family.” Amen! 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR PAST

        On several occasions we have offered panel presentations featuring speakers from all three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) addressing the same subject from their distinct religious viewpoints. Other speakers have brought timely information about societal challenges, which we reflect upon through our individual lenses of faith and religion. Among these distinguished guests are: 

Carrie Seidman

Lillian Lincoln Lambert

Sonia Pressman Fuentes

Sonia Pressman Fuentes

Lillian Lincoln Lambert

Sonia Pressman Fuentes

Lillian Lincoln Lambert

Lillian Lincoln Lambert

Lillian Lincoln Lambert

      

  • Carrie Seidman, journalist and creator/producer of FACEing Mental Illness, a podcast addressing the needs of those living with mental illness
  • April Glascow, Founding Director of Second Chance Last Opportunity, supporting struggling teens and families in our community
  • Sonia Pressman Fuentes, first female attorney in the Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity and a founding member of WIN
  • Lillian Lincoln Lambert, the first Black woman to graduate from Harvard Business School and a pioneering entrepreneur
  • Dr. Julie Armstrong, Professor of Literature at USF-St. Petersburg, who spoke about civil rights


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