The 36th annual Women & Spirituality Conference moves to Rochester this year for the first time. The two-day event is scheduled for September 16 and 17, and consists of workshops, discussions, exhibits, dialogue, discovery and celebration. Founded by Cindy Velduisen and hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato, for 35 years, the conference provides a supportive setting for a dialogue of mutual respect between people from many spiritual and religious traditions.

A multi-faith gathering to celebrate diversity, spiritual experience and healing, the weekend events include the conference with a keynote and six workshop selections from 84 offerings with registration in advance and at the door.

The conference also includes the following events which are free and open to the public: Exhibit area and Wellness Retreat Room with 90 merchants, nonprofits and healers; La Mese delle Donne art exhibit and show; Maker’s Space with opportunities to create art with Teaki Garcia.

The keynote address, How to Turn Your Faith (whatever faith that may be) Into Action, will be presented by Becca Stevens, author, speaker, priest, social entrepreneur, founder and president of Thistle Farms (ThistleFarms.org), the largest social enterprise in the U.S. run by women survivors.

Cost: $75 in advance, $85 at the door; Senior or Student $40 in advance, $50 at the door; One- day pass $45 in advance, $55 at the door. Location: Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Dr. Center SE, Rochester. For a full list of presenters, exhibitors and information, visit WomenAndSpirituality.org.