Illinois Interfaith Conference

February 23 and 24, 2024
With Nadia Bolz-Weber
Lutheran pastor and New York Times bestselling author

The Illinois Interfaith Conference is a FREE opportunity for University of Illinois students and campus allies- as well as student leaders and professionals from across the Midwest- to join together to engage in critical questions about interfaith engagement on the college campus. All people of religious and non-religious philosophical traditions are welcome! 

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email diversity@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

Many religious, spiritual and secular beliefs highlight the importance of caring for and welcoming others, whether they be neighbors or strangers. Yet religion is sometimes used as the divider to turn away neighbors and ignore the humanity of one another. The Illinois Interfaith Conference on February 23-24, 2024 will explore how we welcome one another into community together, and the ways that our many faiths, experiences, and identities can bring us closer together. Registration is free.  

The conference will open on Friday, February 23 with keynote speaker Lutheran pastor and New York Times bestselling author Nadia Bolz-Weber. Nadia will speak about her latest book In her latest book, Shameless: A Case for Not Feeling Bad About Feeling Good (About Sex), which reclaims the conversation around sexuality, shame, and desire for a new generation of believers. In her talks, she explores spirituality and faith; friendship and community; life purpose and activism; self-care, shame, and the body; recovery and self-awareness; sex and intimacy; health and wellness; and leadership and authority. Prior to the keynote, the Interfaith Conference will host a Friday night shabbat dinner.  

On Saturday, February 24, the conference will continue to explore how we work together to build inclusive and interfaith communities. A lunchtime dialogue on bridgebuilding in divided times will be facilitated by campus and community leaders. The conference will conclude with a community project to provide critical resources to unhoused individuals in the Champaign-Urbana community. 

Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, founder of House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver, Co, the creator and host of The Confessional and the author of three New York Times bestselling memoirs: Pastrix; The Cranky, Beautiful Faith Of A Sinner & Saint, Accidental Saints; Finding God In All The Wrong People and Shameless. She writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and really whatever the hell else she wants to. She always sits in the corner with the other weirdoes. Nadia will participate in a fireside chat with UCC Pastor Leah Robberts-Mosser at the Friday Forum at noon on Friday, February 23.  

The Illinois Interfaith Conference is co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Diversity & Social Justice Education, Illini Hillel, Interfaith in Action, the Department of Religion, Interfaith Alliance of Champaign County, Religious Workers Association, and the University YMCA.  

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Chancellor, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, or The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.