Chapel Chats

Jeremy VanAndel (Director of Professional Development) joins Chaplain Hannah to talk and dream about vocation, mission, purpose, and creating new paths in light of a professional development series for faculty and staff in 2021-2022 sponsored by NetVUE. If you do or do not know what you want from life, you are not alone. Tune in for more!

This year is the first year that Juneteenth is recognized as an official federal holiday. Learn about the commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved Americans in this conversation Chaplain Hannah hosts with Dr. Maegan Pollonais, Kalyn Johnson, and Dr. Sarah Summers.Additional Resources: Black-owned restaurants in Indianapolis, IN (referenced by Dr. P)Smithsonian exhibit on Juneteenth (referenced by Kalyn)PBS Resource on Juneteenth (referenced by Dr. P) The Nap Ministry on Instagram (follow for a radical message on rest as resistance) Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song (check out the DVD at FC Hamilton Library) 

Join Chaplain Hannah for a short conversation with this year's Baccalaureate speaker, the Rev. Dr. Troy Jackson. Baccalaureate ServiceFriday, May 20, 20224:30-5:30pmSpurlock GymnasiumAll are WelcomeFor more information: Baccalaureate | Franklin College

Join us for a stripped-down (no music) Ash Wednesday reflection, especially dedicated to those considering some sort of fasting through the season of Lent. (Lent is the 40-day season of the Christian year that prepares us for Easter. It is most often commemorated by Catholics, though many Protestant denominations observe Lent as well.) Reflection by Rev. Dr. Hannah Adams Ingram, College Chaplain

Reinvigorate your passion for learning through a conversation with Tabby Fitzgerald and Colleen Steffen, the executive editor of The Statehouse File. Join them as they talk about 15 years of this signature FC program and how it has inspired so many students to learn in a high-energy setting about state government, community organizing, social justice, public policy, and what it takes to change the world around us. Whether you are interested in this particular experience or finding your own avenue for immersive/engaged learning, we hope you'll find in this conversation a commitment to making the most of your college experience. 

In this episode, Chaplain Hannah talks to campus guests Sadiyah Bashir and Preeti Kaur Rajpal, who performed at Franklin College's Interfaith Understanding Through the Art of Poetry event on November 11, 2021. This event was part of the Spirit & Place Festival and was made possible through a Clowes Foundation grant. You can watch the event on our website. 

Chaplain Hannah and Counselor Sara Kinder chat about mental health on campus and their hope that the community would practice reaching out to one another, even when it's awkward. ---------Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line (24/7 free support)

Chaplain Hannah reflects on our anxiety about death as we near Samhain, Halloween, Dia de Muertos, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, or as many like to call it--Spooky Season. This includes a brief cultural explanation of how these days are all connected and how they link up to religious practices in Christianity and earth-based spiritualities. 

Join new student producer Tabatha Fitzgerald as she talks research and travel with Dr. Casey Hayes, who was awarded the Fulbright-Botstiber Visiting Professor of Austrian-American Studies award and recently returned from six months in Vienna.  Dr. Hayes shares about his life-changing adventure and encourages us all to find and pursue passionate research, wherever in the world it might take us. 

The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we want matter. In this episode, Chaplain Hannah talks to Dr. Kristin Flora and Dr. Andrew Jones (The Deans) about what makes the college experience so special and what we can hope for from the school year to come. 

Chaplain Hannah joins the conversation about the vaccinating against COVID-19 as the campus community prepares for the fall semester back on campus. She chats with Rachel Crabtree, a third-year student at Butler University whose summer internship with Interfaith Youth Core focused on vaccine hesitancy. Chaplain Hannah ends the episode by encouraging research, careful discernment, and compassion for others as we move forward. -----Additional resources: Get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines - Mayo ClinicCOVID-19 vaccines (who.int)Mayo Clinic - YouTubeDr. Dunkle COVID Message - YouTubeISDH - Novel Coronavirus: Vaccine Information and PlanningTell us your plans at Vaccination Status Form (forms-db.com)

In our season 2 finale episode, Chaplain Hannah hosts a conversation with graduating seniors who have been involved with Franklin College Religious Life over the last four years (and, it so happens, the four years Chaplain Hannah has worked at the college). The interview features remarks from seniors Kelsey Moorman, Katie Bond, Kirsten Nielsen, Samantha Loyd, and Chapel Chats producer Erica Irish. The group reminisces about their favorite moments in Religious Life, unpacks developing the Religious Life community covenant, and describes what lessons they are taking with them into the next chapter. The episode ends with a prayer for the summer months ahead, no matter where you are on life's journey. A note to our listeners: This is our final episode of Chapel Chats for the 2020-21 academic year. Please stay tuned over the summer for bonus episodes, and we will see you in the fall for season 3! Thank you for your endless support in this important project.

Franklin College is nearing commencement. But before that, the college will hold an important annual ceremony: Baccalaureate. This ecumenical event, held on the eve of commencement, is designed to help graduating seniors reflect on who they were at Franklin College, and where they are going. Chaplain Hannah discusses this idea and breaks down baccalaureate with its featured speaker, Dr. Leah Gunning Francis. Dr. Francis is vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and a book author who researched the impact of the faith community on protests in Ferguson. But before going to seminary and kickstarting her current path, Dr. Francis was on another using her undergraduate degree in corporate marketing. In this episode, Dr. Francis offers an example of life's surprising paths, and she encourages listeners to stay open to the possibilities of the future. If you are a member of the Franklin College community, be sure to join us for baccalaureate at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21, in the Spurlock Center. The event will also be livestreamed at www.franklincollege.edu. 

Chaplain Hannah welcomes listeners to sit in on a recent conversation in a class she is co-teaching at Franklin College on the history of the Black church with Indianapolis Tuxedo Park Baptist Church Pastor Doug Gray.  The episode features an exploration of the Black community's sacred inheritance and syncretism with Heather Brydie Harris, a scholar and activist currently working on a PhD in Pan-African studies at the University of Louisville.  Harris details the legacy of Black faith and how it evolved through the trauma of colonialism and the slave trade, creating a unique culture and new ways to express belief. This episode was originally recorded from a class discussion and has been edited for clarity and length. Want to learn more about Black faith in America? Reach out to Chaplain Hannah or check out the following resources: PEW Research Center (Feb. 16, 2021): Faith Among Black Americans 

The tragic FedEx shooting in Indianapolis continues to reverberate throughout our state and the country. Of the eight victims lost in the violence, half were part of the Sikh community, a vibrant faith group that traces its roots back centuries to the Punjab region of South Asia. What does the Sikh community believe, and how can we support them during this time? Student Producer Erica Irish examines the Sikh belief system in this short reflection and offers suggestions for how we can uplift their community in this time of grief. Support The Victims WTHR (April 18, 2021): Here's how you can help the families of those impacted by the mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility Learn More The Conversation (April 17, 2021): Sikhs in America: A religious community long misunderstood is mourning deaths in Indianapolis mass shootingThe Revealer (Dec. 21, 2017): Why Sikhs Serve: The Tradition of Seva as Justice Inspired by Love The Sikh Coalition: Sikh Awareness Recognitions From Coast to CoastNPR (April 18, 2021): Indianapolis Sikh Community Mourns 4 Of Its Members Killed In ShootingYouTube (Oct. 22, 2020): Language Matters! Why I'm Reclaiming the Correct Pronunciation of Sikh

Tragedy is rocking our lives in recent weeks. With numerous acts of senseless violence around the country—including the April 15 shooting at the FedEx Plainfield Operations Center, just 30 minutes from Franklin College—our hearts are in pain. What can we as a community do in the face of such loss? In this community check-in, Chaplain Hannah offers a vision for caring for ourselves and uplifting our community through traumatic events. She explains how to interpret the many emotions that can flood our thinking in response to tragedy, and what we can do to help both ourselves and each other. In the face of injustice, one of the best actions we can take is to look around—and within. Listeners who want help processing their thoughts are encouraged to schedule a meeting with Chaplain Hannah by emailing chaplain@franklincollege.edu. You can also visit this resources page for ideas of how to reduce stress and promote healing. 

April is a BIG month for Franklin College. On April 14, the college will hold its ninth annual Give to Griz campaign, with a goal of raising $175,000 from 1,000 donors in just 24 hours. The goal? To support the college's impactful Franklin Fund, which supports our students with critical scholarships and dozens of other campus needs, from grounds keeping to learning opportunities. Give to Griz is just one example of how philanthropy can make a huge difference in community, and why we should consider how to spend our extra dollars for good. To learn more about this concept, Chaplain Hannah interviews Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development Dana Cummings and Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Lee Ann Jourdan. Together, they explore how fundraising helps others and what motivates them in their work today. After that you'll hear from Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Special Projects Andrea Gash about Give to Griz and how you can get involved. Ready to jump in and support Give to Griz? Consider donating online. You can also register for some fun virtual events here. If you're a student, be sure to pick up your Give to Griz passport starting April 12 to thank a donor, share your Franklin College story, and possibly earn some swag. 

He is risen! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Join Chaplain Hannah in celebrating Jesus' resurrection through the reading of Mark 16. 

Join our host, Chaplain Hannah Adams Ingram, as she focuses our hearts on the upcoming Holy Week by reading and breaking down Luke 19:36-48.

The Office of Religious Life is continuing to explore new ways to engage the community as the season of Lent continues. Part of this effort will soon welcome the work of liturgical artist Mary Button to campus, whose latest take on the Stations of the Cross will be up for display in Richardson Chapel through Easter. In this episode, Mary joins Chaplain Hannah for an interview about her lifelong journey rooted in art and the discovery of her career in the church. Mary also provides an overview of the Stations of the Cross as an art practice and her interpretation of the traditional form through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic and other major events, including immigration, mass incarceration, and climate change. You can learn more about Mary by visiting her website, marybutton.com.  Be sure to visit her exhibit in Richardson Chapel between now and the week after Easter. The chapel will be open to visitors weekdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please contact Chaplain Hannah at HAdamsIngram@franklincollege.edu to schedule a specific time to visit. 

This episode tackles a topic everyone is familiar with, in good ways and bad: Money. More specifically, this conversation examines wealth, community, and disparities, all forces that have shaped neighborhoods and lives (whether we acknowledge them or not). To learn more about this topic and better understand how to practice mindful spending and community-building, Producer Erica Irish interviewed The Rev. Jamesetta Ferguson, a senior pastor at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Louisville, Kentucky. For the last decade, Ferguson has lead the Molo Village CDC to revitalize the city's predominately Black and historically under invested West End. Ferguson explores the connection between faith and finance, as well as the power of getting out of comfort zones to learn about and uplift communities most in need. 

Step behind the scenes of religious life at Franklin College in this special episode featuring conversations with student leaders. Chaplain Hannah interviews Producer Erica Irish, currently a Franklin College senior studying multimedia journalism and political science, about her experiences in religious life and her role overseeing Chapel Chats in its first year. After that, you'll hear from Chapel Intern Reilly Jones. Reilly discusses her journey studying business, non-profits and religion and using her internship to serve the community while learning more about her call to ministry. If you're a Franklin College student interested in leadership through the Office of Religious Life, please contact Chaplain Hannah atHAdamsIngram@franklincollege.edu. Producer Erica Irish and Chapel Intern Reilly Jones are also available to answer questions about their positions at Erica.Irish@franklincollege.edu and Reilly.Jones@franklincollege.edu. 

Travel as a college student can be incredibly impactful and a way for young people to see the world in a new light. Jenny Cataldi, Franklin College alumna and now Office of Global Education director, knows the impacts of travel firsthand and now works to get more students abroad. She and Erica Irish, student producer and the host for today's episode, revisit the influence of her travels as a college student and how Franklin College pushes students beyond their boundaries on the road. Note: Note: This episode is being published in two parts, a first for the Chapel Chats podcast. Be sure to start your listening journey right by visiting part one (available here) for the full story. 

Although it might be more difficult to do than ever because of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel is a powerful way for people to grow spiritually and learn more about humanity. But to grow, travel also often requires a degree of vulnerability and being open to experiences that push our boundaries. Producer Erica Irish explores this theme with two Franklin College professors teaching a special Intercultural Honors Experience course this semester called "Left Exposed:  Risk, Vulnerability, and Identities." Leading the course is English professor Dr. George Phillips and Dr. Lourdes Hurtado, history professor. Note: This episode is being published in two parts, a first for the Chapel Chats podcast. Be sure to continue your listening journey by visiting part two (available here) for the full story. 

In this month's devotional, Chaplain Hannah looks at Isaiah 58:1-12 to prepare our hearts for the upcoming lent season. Link to the online Lent Devotional: http://bit.do/fclentdevo21. 

Welcome to the first day of spring semester at Franklin College—and the first episode in season two of the Chapel Chats podcast. Chaplain Hannah offers a short check-in and prayer for the new term as the community returns. She walks listeners through a centering exercise and invites them to answer the question, "How are you feeling today?" We also have a favor to ask. To help our team prepare for the new season, please consider filling out our first listener survey. It's short, and many of the questions are optional. Please let us know how we're doing and what you want to see from us in the coming months. 

Chaplain Hannah and Producer Erica Irish revisit the last few episodes on rethinking New Year's resolutions in an informal (and somewhat vulnerable) chat. Their conversation touches on diet culture, health and fat phobia as explored by Rev. Heidi C. Heath in Episode 1.17 and the importance of using the winter slow-down to truly listen to ourselves. Listen again to Episode 1.16 to get more details from Caity Stuart, a Yale Divinity School student investigating where faith and the environment connect. Then, Chaplain Hannah introduces several ideas for how else we can spend our time this winter, including a campus-wide "star words" opportunity available through the Office of Religious Life this week and an upcoming Lenten devotional. 

Chaplain Hannah welcomes Rev. Heidi C. Heath for a discussion about how to sort through the overwhelming messages about our bodies that permeate the new year in part two of a special series on rethinking New Years' resolutions. Rev. Heidi is an ordained minister through the United Church of Christ, a spiritual director and a writer from New Hampshire working to dismantle diet culture in the church and within ourselves. She unpacks the influence of fat phobia and dieting on our culture and how to embrace our sacred worth in a Christian devotional and in a separate interview about her work with Chaplain Hannah (skip to 13:30 to listen). Follow Rev. Heidi on Twitter @revfemme or on Facebook at Notes from the Chaplain. Want to learn more? Read "The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love" by Sonya Renee Taylor, available wherever books are sold. 

In the first episode of a special series on rethinking New Year's resolutions, Chaplain Hannah interviews long-time friend Caity Stuart, a student at Yale Divinity School whose life journey is centered around understanding the environment, history and spirituality. Caity examines how our biology and the seasons compare to our culture's tendency to see January as a time of reinvention. She also explores the history of Celtic Christianity and the influence of indigenous traditions on our calendars. 

Chaplain Hannah Adams Ingram responds to unrest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when violent demonstrators stormed Congress and disrupted the certification of the 2020 election. Her prayer reflects the worry and fear felt by the country and campus and seeks safe, fair participation in politics and in the pursuit of justice. 

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 chapelchatspod@gmail.com 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

In a time of grief and uncertainty, Chaplain Hannah explores themes of gratitude and peace through a short study of Philippians 4:4-9. Stay through the end for a special note about the dark night of the soul. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you need any help processing the loss of Erin Edwards or the uncertainty of the pandemic, please reach out to Chaplain Hannah or the Counseling Center. They are here to journey with you. 

It's been a hard week on campus and in the world, but Chaplain Hannah is here with a mini-episode about seeking out space for creativity, which might lead to increased resiliency and hope. 

With the 2020 election drawing near, Chapel Chats Producer Erica Irish speaks with two students working hard to increase voter registration at Franklin College. Senior Kevin Gast is an election engagement fellow collaborating with the nonpartisan nonprofit Indiana Campus Compact and the Campus Election Engagement Project. Freshman Sanjida Tanim serves as the Williams Chair election fellow. Stay tuned for a conversation about how to bridge political divides and unite through difference from Allison Fetter-Harrott, a political science professor. You'll also hear personal stories from Franklin College students, faculty and staff about what voting means to them. 

Join Chaplain Hannah for a devotional that explores relationships and loneliness in 2020. Chaplain Hannah walks through Zacchaeus's story in Luke 9:1-10 and encourages listeners to embrace the power of relationships, both in the Bible and in our own time. --------September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. If you are in crisis and need support, please visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or Trevor Project. 

What does it mean — and require — to learn new things? Join Chaplain Hannah and Franklin College biology professors Ben O'Neal and Katie Harris as they discuss how students can grapple with unfamiliar ideas. You'll also hear from Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs Kristin Flora about the psychology of learning. Stick around after that to learn about additional resources available through the Academic Resource Center from Dean of Academic Success Katie Wehner. 

Join Chaplain Hannah as she discusses mental health and wellness with counselor Sara Kinder. They discuss self-care, trauma, racial justice in America, and how these things are all interconnected. At the end of the episode, Terri Roberts-Leonard jumps in with additional CDI resources and her advice for students during the double pandemic of COVID-19 and racial injustice. 

Welcome back to FC! In this episode, Chaplain Hannah and Dean Jones chat a bit about the Fortify Franklin plan and what being back on campus requires from us. Chaplain Hannah with a short blessing for the first week back. 

Join Chaplain Hannah for a centering devotional dedicated especially to our newest Grizzlies during Welcome Week. 

Join Chaplain Hannah this year in this exciting format for chapel devotionals, conversations, and encouragement. Posts will go up on Mondays. Music used with permission: Highride by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). Artwork by: Religious Life Intern Reilly Jones 

Join Chaplain Hannah in this new format for a monthly Christian devotional and bimonthly conversations about faith, spirituality, and life. Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome in Chapel Chats. Music used with permission: Highride by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). Artwork by Reilly Jones. 

Join Rosie as she interviews senior CYC member Lucas Coulter about the struggles that high school can bring and how he chooses to be open about his faith and beliefs and what his spiritual journey has looked like.