The Temple Forum

The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago with Nisan Chavkin

The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago is an organization of leaders from diverse faith traditions. The annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Observance is one of the most high-profile events the organization coordinates every year with representatives of many faith traditions from A (American Baptist) to Z (Zoroastrian). The Executive Director of the Council, Nisan Chavkin, says this group also takes action as people of faith and a community of conscience on public issues that advance the common good. Hear what he has to say about current social justice issues, including speaking out about religious prejudice, discrimination and persecution in these times.

 

CRLMC website: https://www.crlmc.org/

Meet Rev. Camille Henderson-Edwards is the Director for Economic, Health and Gender Justice at the GBHEM of the UMC

The U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade in June 2022 generated intense responses from pro- and anti-choice proponents. The landmark decision took away the federal right to an abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years. Rev. Camille Henderson-Edwards is the Director for Economic, Health and Gender Justice at the General Board of Church and Society for the United Methodist Church. She explains how the church strives to nurture all women and children according to the UMC Social Principles and what efforts are underway to improve access to and equity in healthcare. Listen to this conversation to find out more about where the UMC stands on these important issues.

Queen Elizabeth II at Wesley’s Chapel: A Remembrance

Rev. Gerald Tedcastle, Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth at the Wesley Chapel in 1978. Dr. Schweiker is in the back wearing a clerical collar with a mustache!

 

When the Queen and Prince Philip attended the rededication of Wesley's Chapel, London in 1978, University of Chicago Divinity School Professor William Schweiker was there! In this episode of the Temple Forum, Professor Schweiker recalls his time as seminary intern at Wesley's Chapel when the Queen came to visit, the current criticism of the monarchy, and why the separation of church and state is still an important ideal for our U.S. democracy. Listen to this discussion with the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple's Theologian-in-Residence, Professor William Schweiker.

 

For more information about Wesley's Chapel and the history of Methodism: https://www.wesleysheritage.org.uk/

Interview with Michael Milstein, CPD Community Policing Deputy Director

What steps are being taken to improve the relationship between the Chicago Police Department and the citizens they are called to serve and protect? CPD Community Policing Deputy Director Michael Milstein talks about the efforts underway in the city and the daily challenges that are faced to rebuild trust. This episode of the Temple Forum discusses the current environment and what we can do to hold police accountable and to make Chicago a safer place to live.

 

Is Religion Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution in the Red/Blue Divide? - Dr. William Schweiker

Is Religion Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution in the Red/Blue Divide?

Chicago Temple Theologian-in-Residence William Schweiker from the University of Chicago Divinity School believes there is a pervasiveness of social breakdown in our society. In this episode of The Temple Forum, he talks about religion’s role in the red/blue divide in this country. But he is also hopeful that we can come together for a common good in our diverse society.

 

Listen to his insights and read his Sightings article on the subject: https://divinity.uchicago.edu/sightings/articles/social-dissolution-lost-threads-and-forgotten-dogmas

Transformational Ministry: Meet the Chief of Chaplaincy Services for the Federal Bureau of Prisons

Transformational Ministry: Meet the Chief of Chaplaincy Services for the Federal Bureau of Prisons

 

Imagine being the person who is responsible for guiding the religious accommodations for inmates across faith lines in the 122 federal prisons nationwide. That’s what Rev. Heidi Kugler does as Chief of Chaplaincy Services for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. There are more than 2 million people in our nation’s prisons and jails. Chaplain Kugler encourages all of us to become better educated about the correctional system and to find ways to help inmates and those who are reentering society after serving their time.

Learn more at: www.bop.gov or email: BOP-RSD-ChaplaincySvcs-S@bop.gov.    

Black History Month-Afro-Nostalgia with Dr. Badia Ahad-Legarcy

Dr. Badia Ahad-Legardy is Author, Professor, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Loyola University Chicago.
The First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple invited her in February, 2002 for Black History Month and heard about her most recent book, "Afro-Nostalgia: Feeling Good in Contemporary Black Culture." This episode is a recording of the interview. There might be disruptive sounds (computer notification sounds or other noises) during the interview. 

Leading the Fight for Economic and Racial Justice: The Shriver Center on Poverty Law

Audra Wilson is the President and CEO of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. She has an impressive career as a champion for racial and economic justice issues. This national center is named for its founder, Sargent Shriver, with a mission to advance laws and policies that secure justice to improve the lives and opportunities of people living in poverty. She offers ways that we all can get involved for a nation free from poverty with justice, equality and opportunity for all.

Learn more at: www.povertylaw.org

Making the Earth a Better Place with Ana Garcia Doyle

Ana is the executive director of One Earth Collective. In this episode, Ana talks about who One Earth Collective is and what they do to advocate the urgency of our action for climate change, including One Earth Film Festival that they offer annually -both online and in-person in Chicago.

 

Please visit One Earth Collective website: https://oneearthcollective.org

One Earth Film Fest website: https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org

 

Cultivating harmony among the world‘s spiritual communities-Parliament of the World‘s Religions

Please visit their website: https://parliamentofreligions.org