Eastern Mennonite University Podcast

Join us for the last chapel of the semester, as Dr. Stephanie Powell leads us in imagining “What’s Next?”  Matt. 28:1-10

“Table Story: Jesus (at) the Passover” – Join us as Dr. Joyner explores the practice of telling stories around a meal, which is central to both Judaism and Christianity. This chapel will explore the Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples and invite reflection on our role in conveying central stories to future generations.  Luke....

Join us to hear presentations from two 2025 Seminary graduates, Graciella Odelia “Home Away from Home: Embracing Young Asian Immigrants in Church” and Chrissie Muecke “Toward a Thriving Faith in the Midst of Loss: The Wisdom of the Elders.”

Join us to hear two presentations from 2025 Seminary graduates.  Shimeles Abebe: “Beyond Evangelism: An Invitation for the Church to Work on Peacebuilding and Restorative Justice in a War-torn Country” and Dave Mansfield: “Beyond Inclusion: Creating Hospitable Spaces alongside Members of the IDD Community.”

“What the….?!  Wow. Theology in Poetry (this struggle should be real)” What even is this thing called “theology”?  And why should we care? Turns out, we are all theologians – we struggle to hear ourselves and each other into saying something meaningful. Join us, along with Dr. Heike Peckruhn, for a time of hearing, doing, and feeling....

You can also join us live on the Seminary FB page or by Zoom in myEMU under the calendar tab.

“You Want Me to Do What?” – Like Peter’s call to fish for persons, the outcomes are unpredictable when people risk encountering each other across cultures, groups, and traditions, thereby moving beyond the stereotypes they have embraced.  We may learn that the most profound and significant experiences of God and life are not to be....

“God of All Compassion” – Join this chapel time hosted by the CPE students from our two current Clinical Pastoral Education classes and Certified Educators. We will worship in song, scripture and storytelling from our CPE cohorts and our various ministry experiences.

“Though Many, One Body” – Join us to hear Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley, Director of Call and Candidacy for VA United Methodist Conference.  1 Cor. 12:12-31

“Worship in the global Anabaptist realm” – Is there Anabaptist worship? Hymns or drums? At the intersection of diverse traditions, in international meetings, denominational conferences or in our local church context, how can we unite around meaningful expressions of worship? Join us to hear Makinto, Mennonite Pastor and Seminary student.  2 Samuel 6:12-23

You can also join us live on the Seminary FB page 

“A Strange Invocation: Finding theology (or maybe even divine) in songs where you may not have thought to look.  Songs by Greg Brown, Paul Simon, and Bob Dylan.  Reflections and performances by Dan Ott.

Join us as Rev. Dr. Sarah Bixler shares stories of friendship and resistance from the life of a Dutch Anabaptist deaconess, Elisabeth Dirks.  

“Transitions” – Seminary Chaplain Ned Allyn Parker will reflect on the multiplicity of transitions happening around us – everything from the transition of seasons, to the completion of the semester, to the movement from Advent to Christmas.  Transitions are hard, but they are also holy.

“From Fear to Freedom” – “I was scared and had doubts, but I joined the march anyway. Don’t let fear stop you from moving forward.”  Join us to hear how Luis Padilla, seminary student, addressed his fears and moved forward.

Join us to hear Sherah-Leigh Gerber and Gwen Lantz, EMU alums and authors, as they share their recently published book and new ways to celebrate Advent.

“Disability and the Church” – Join us to hear Rev. Jordan Bucey, Asylum Hill Congregational Church (Hartford, CT) give a reflection on the theology of disability and building inclusive spaces in the Church.

“Embracing Uncertainty” – Join us as Dr. Powell preaches on Mark 2:13-17 and what we might learn from an undecidable text.

“Act justly and love mercy”, and “If I perish, I perish.”  Come and learn about the powerful life journey of Mukarabe Makinto, student at CJP and Co-founder of Amahoro International, an agency for peace and development.  Hear her powerful testimony “My Journey: Persecution, Mission, Redemption” – how God uses a bruised yet redeemed vessel for....

“Clinging to Good in a World Obsessed with Great” – In the first Genesis creation story, we see God repeatedly declaring each part of creation “good”. But is “good” good enough? Join us a we welcome Seminary Recruitment Specialist, Adam King (MDiv ’18) sharing his thoughts on goodness in a world overwhelmed by hyperbole.

“Bones, Tombs, and Queer Kinship: Grief as Praise for What We Love” – Annabeth Roeschley, Exec. Dir. for Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests, will look at grief, healing, repair and unexpected life through a queer, trauma-informed reading of Ezekiel 37:1-10, John 11:1-53.

“Sabbath and Sacred Selah“ – How are you caring for yourself as we approach the halfway mark in the semester?  Join Drs. Joyner and Parker as they reflect on the challenges of observing Sabbath, focusing on both the challenges of time and isolation.

What is the value of sharing stories in community when we’re in the midst of a “storm?” How do we nurture and inspire each other by the mutual telling and sharing of stories? Together we reflect on the power of “storm stories” by using Mark 4:35-41.

“It’s All Communion” – There is one “Last Supper” described from different perspectives in the Gospels, but there are many “communion” stories. What do the communion stories in the post-Easter narratives teach us about the meals we share in community? How should we regard them? And, where is Christ made known to you in these experiences?

Listen to Dr. Dan Ott’s talk “On True Religion.”

“Making Room”  Join us to hear Dr. Rev. Ned Allyn Parker, reflecting on thoughts on doubt in the context of seminary and contemporary life. John 20:24-29

Two Truths and Three Lies About Hope and HumanityACE Festival Keynote featuring Douglas Abrams, one of the authors of The Book of Hope, EMU’s 2023-24 Common Read.  In a world that seems so troubled, how do we hold on to hope? New York Times-bestselling author Doug Abrams will examine this most sought-after and least-understood element of human nature.....

Join us for “Devotions in Motion” – led by Sarah Mount-Elewononi, we will experience the scriptures through symbolic gestures in a meaningful way. Just what you need to re-center for the end of the semester. Ezekiel 36:24-28

Dr. Ned Parker will be on campus April 16-17 as a candidate for the position of Ass’t Professor of Preaching and Worship and Seminary Chaplain. Please join us to hear Dr. Parker speak on Luke 24:13-35.

“God, Our Mother” – Tim Reardon spoke; John 16:16-23

“Fulfilled in Weakness” – Jesus’ nonviolence unto the last challenges earthly powers’ dependence on coercion and violence to maintain a sense of secure order. In the resurrection, God affirms Jesus’ life of noncoercion as in keeping with the flows of power and authority in God’s kingdom. Yet, with the resurrection as a basis of belief,....

Join us for a time of meditation and reflection on Holy Week, as we contemplate Jesus’ work of redemption and love for us.

Love & Duty in the Final Chapter: Experiences of Home-based Caring for Family EldersCarol Grace Hurst, PhD, LCSWAssociate Professor of Social WorkEastern Mennonite University Dr. Hurst presents results of a qualitative inquiry exploring home based caregiving experiences for family elders. Elders with complex health challenges are often assumed to need institutional care. The ways that....

Jesus had a habit of serving others. Join us to hear Rev. Sarah Bailey talk about how we recognize that we, as Jesus’ followers, are called to serve – but how often do we make it a part of our daily, regular habits of living? With God’s help, service can become a holy habit for....

Join us to hear Rev. Maren Hange share about racial and social justice and her experiences in Charlottesville Clergy Collective. She is Minister of Formation and Soul Care for Virginia Mennonite Conference.

“Receiving, Accepting, and Adapting to Ourselves and One Another” Rev. Karl McKinney, LMC Intercultural Leadership minister will be speaking from John 15:12-17. How do we follow Messiah in the ways that we treat ourselves and each other every day?

Experience the ancient Christian practice of praying the hours and chanting the psalms. Together we’ll learn how we can organize our day around the life of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit.

A Potluck with No Food: Fasting in Community – As Christians approach the Lenten season, many prepare for a fasting practice of “giving something up” for Lent. In this chapel gathering, Courtney Joyner will explore how the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, an inform Lenten spiritual discipline in Christian communities. Joel....

Join us to hear noted Christian ethicist and ordained minister David P. Gushee speak to us about “Thinking Biblically about Government in an Election Year.” Gushee is author and editor of more than 28 books and 175+ academic book chapters, journal articles and reviews.  

“Who Is My ‘Another’?” Join us as Dr. Sarah Bixler speaks about Jesus’ command to love “one another.”  As an indication of mutuality and friendship, just how far does this command to love one another extend? (John 13)

Join us for a time of visio divina using the parable of the mustard seed. A time of contemplation where we open ourselves to God’s voice through sacred art and reflection. Matt. 13:31-32

“Epiphany and the Secret Work of God” – Join us to hear Rev. Brett Isernhagen speak of the visit of the Magi, which is often heralded as the first time Christ was revealed to Gentiles. But what exactly did the Magi take away from their visit and how can this encounter shape our attention this....

Pastoral Care in an Intercultural EnvironmentJoin to hear Rev. Chidi Ihezuoh present his Ministry Specialization Project, as part of the Master of Christian Studies (MACL) graduate program.

Catherine E. Rittenhouse, DNP, MSN, CRNP, RNAssociate Professor of NursingEastern Mennonite University Based on the most recent data from the CDC, there were 26 million new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US – almost half of these infections occurred in people aged 15-24 (CDC, 2021). The majority of the undergraduate student population....

Join us to hear our own Rev. Tim Reardon, Ass’t Professor of New Testament. Acts 10:1-5, 28-43 and Isaiah 25:6-10

Join to hear “Encounters with Jesus” with Seminary student, Carlos Malvaez.  Luke 7:11-17. Carlos is pastor of Manantial de Vida in Harrisonburg.

Stop Loving Others! Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Love and Loving OthersJoin to hear CJP graduate (2013), Dr. Rasoul Naghavi speak about faith-based peacebuilding from a Muslim perspective. Originally from Iran, he is a scholar and peacebuilder in Northern VA.  He is the founding president of Mufid Academic Seminary and a professor of Muslim Intellectual History....

Join as Rev. Crystal Sygeel reminds us of the message of the Great Commandment and what it means to live into this calling. Rev. Sygeel is the Assoc. Dir. for Call and Candidacy for the Center for Clergy Excellence of the VA Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Dave Mansfield, Seminary student, brings us a message – as part of the Foundation for Christian Preaching course.

Embedding Restorative Justice Pedagogy in K-12 Instructional PracticeEmbedding Restorative Justice Pedagogy in K-12 Instructional Practice is the result of a research study that draws upon a framework of restorative justice in education pedagogy, developed in collaboration with Dr. Kathy Evans. The framework examines the intersection between three components of restorative justice (nurture healthy relationships, repair....

Join us to hear Seminary student, Carmen Shenk, explore the ways Jesus broke through the hierarchy, separation of the old covenant making a way to God’s presence – not just for Jewish men and priests, but for women, lepers, and gentile illegals. The life and death of Jesus brought all of us outsiders to the....