A new year means new projects, new year's resolutions, and new promises to ourselves to change — but does it have to be that way? Join Chapel Chats for episodes designed to rethink what it means to start a new year. This four-part, limited series will take place in January 2021. It  will feature conversations on seasonal living with environmental scholar Caity Stuart, MS, and dismantling diet culture with Rev. Heidi C. Heath. 

Join Chaplain Hannah and guests for a reflection on holding space for broken hearts during the holiday season and the darkest night of the year, Dec. 21. The episode discusses pain, grief and loss felt in 2020 through a litany and a reading of Psalm 121. Then, Chaplain Hannah reads the poem "Blessing for the Brokenhearted" by Jan Richardson. 

This episode features the track "Luminance" by Scott Buckley. 

Luminance by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC
BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/-luminance
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/yTl_PtnDwEY

Chaplain Hannah and guests discuss the holiday season and the traditions that come with it, beginning with a crash course on how religious celebrations are related across faiths. Then, members of the campus community reflect on how they and their families celebrate winter holidays — and what those traditions mean to them today. After that, Franklin College staff and faculty perform a radio version of the Christmas story, and Dean of Students Andrew Jones sends in a musical greeting from his family. 

Chaplain Hannah introduces the Christian season of Advent, represented by the four Sundays before Christmas, and the messages of hope, peace, joy, and love that surround the time. And one theme rises above the rest when it comes to understanding Advent: Waiting for change, and waiting for Christ. Chaplain Hannah explores how to embrace both the light and darkness of the season as we wait. Also featured in this episode is the traditional Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” performed by Rob Leveridge and made available by the United Church of Christ. 

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Indiana and around the world, leading to new shutdowns abroad and in the Franklin College community. As students prepare to end the fall semester with virtual classes because of the public health crisis, Chaplain Hannah and Producer Erica Irish discuss this podcast's FIRST listener-submitted question in our "Ask Me Anything," or AMA, series. Tune in to hear advice about how to continue learning, building community, and cultivating sacred spaces, even when church might not be an option. 

After a week of events at Franklin College meant to encourage dialogue around Black Lives Matter, Chaplain Hannah and guests revisit the many meanings behind the affirmation. Producer Erica Irish interviews Kalyn Johnson, Center for Diversity and Inclusion program coordinator and area coordinator for residence life, about how the community can explore the complexities of Black Lives Matter in conversation and culture. Then, you'll hear from Pastor Doug Gray of Tuxedo Park Baptist Church in Indianapolis. He and Chaplain Hannah discuss his journey as a faith leader, bird-watching, how to form authentic relationships guided by diversity, and where the Black Lives Matter movement connects to the church. 

Ready to dive deeper? The Office of Religious Life will host a 28-day guided training in January led by the book "Me and White Supremacy" by Layla Saad. The book explores how to be anti-racist and play a more active role in individual learning, growth, and activism. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/38ZK77M 

Join Chaplain Hannah as she explores the question, "What do we owe each other?" through Matthew 22:36-40 and 1 Corinthians 13. 

Chaplain Hannah welcomes Franklin College Professor Emeritus David Carlson to discuss his religious journey, how he embraced interfaith work, and why questions are necessary when it comes to understanding our faith identities. The two also discuss the upcoming  “Interfaith Through the Art of Storytelling” convocation, happening virtually this Thursday, Nov. 12 as part of the 2020 Spirit & Place Festival. Be sure to sign up today at the Eventbrite page to join the conversation. Chaplain Hannah will also introduce a new opportunity for listeners to participate by “asking her anything” — about God, the world, and everything else. Send your questions to [email protected] in writing or (preferably) a voice memo.

Death isn't an easy topic. But how we approach discussions about death matters in remembering those who have died. Join us this week for an interview with Franklin College students Andres Guerra and Bri Kemmerer, who worked through their Greek organizations, Kappa Delta Rho and Pi Beta Phi, to bring a Day of the Dead altar to campus and welcome conversations about how death is seen in Mexican culture. After that, hear from students and staff as they reflect on those who have died — and what meaningful lessons those who died continue to teach them today. Finally, Chaplain Hannah will share an All Souls Day litany in honor of student Erin Edwards and lives lost to COVID-19 and police brutality. 

As an educated citizen, participating in the democratic process of voting is both a responsibility and an act of power. This FC town hall is intended to provide some basic education about the United States Presidential election. We will also spend time discussing how to constructively talk across difference, and how we can process difficult emotions that may arise from the election outcome. Moderated by Dean Andrew Jones. 

Panelists: Ellis Hall, Paul Fonstad, Kalyn Johnson, Hannah Adams Ingram, and Sara Kinder