Many Windows: Conversations on Ministry with Rev. Jules Taylor

Significant changes go into effect on July 1, 2026, for Federal Student Loans. Meadville Lombard's Financial Aid & Student Services Assistant, Ashley Senesac, leads us through some of these new rules and requirements as they apply to graduate and professional students. **PLEASE NOTE** We recorded this episode on the morning of June 26, 2026; so this information is accurate as of the date of th...

Generative AI (artificial intelligence) is pervasive in many contexts today. How does copyright apply when it comes to AI? Dr. John Dechant, the Director of Library and Archives at Meadville Lombard, is our in-house point person on copyright and the current AI landscape in theological education. *Notes from the episode* Past episode on copyright: Keeping Online Worship on the Up and Up (copyright...

Theology, love, and Howard Thurman are the focus of this conversation with my colleague, the Rev. Dr. Kathryn House. Link to the recording of Howard Thurman reading his work, “Meditations of the Heart,” part of the Howard Thurman Collection in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University Libraries https://digitallibrary.bu.edu/readings-meditations-heart-part-1-2 Text referenced...

Supporting people and communities through complex relationship dynamics is something ministers do all the time as part of the job. What is not always so expected is how to navigate complex relationship dynamics when the minister is part of the complex relationship. The Ministry of Good Offices at the UUMA is a team of colleagues who support peers in just this way. Today’s guest is the Reverend Mel...

Summer is almost here! Rev. Michelle Favreault, Ministerial Formation Network (MFN) Manager, is here to lift-up MFN summer programming and beyond. The Ministerial Formation Network (MFN) is a program of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA). The MFN can be accessed through the UUMA website: https://www.uuma.org. MFN materials are for UUMA members only, so a login will be required...

Theological education is a unique experience and everyone’s path is different. Nicholas D’Agosto is a graduating Master of Divinity student. Nick and I talk about his time at Meadville and he reflects on advice he might give a student just starting out. Nicholas has also been a professional TV/Film actor for over 20 years. His podcast God & Other Delicacies (G.O.D.) begins with the question, “...

Grief and loss are universal, ubiquitous, an also unique, personal. My guest today is Dr. Mike Hogue, whose evolving work on structural grief is an invitation to engage this multifaceted and often elusive experience. *Notes from the episode* Michael S. Hogue, Ph. D. (U. Chicago), is a philosopher, theologian, writer, and teacher exploring questions of meaning, morality, and mortality in a turbulen...

Ever want to eavesdrop on religious professionals talking theology? Listen in as Aisha Hauser and Jules go to some deep places talking about the Universalist idea of affirming all people, but not all ideas. Aisha Hauser, MSW, CRE-ML, is one-half of the Church of the Larger Fellowship's Lead Ministry Team. https://clfuu.org/team-member/aisha-hauser/ https://connectlearngrow.org/ Thank you for liste...

After a long hiatus, Many Windows returns with a wonderful guest, Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith! I am grateful to start season 5 with a rich conversation on creativity and performance in liturgy. Resources mentioned in the episode: Taylor, D. (2015). Performance . Duke University Press Books. Marshall, Lorna. (2001). The Body Speaks. St. Marten’s Griffin. Stephenson, Barry. (2015). Ritual: A Very Short...

Big episode today, an important conversation about the three decision categories candidates can receive after their MFC interview. My guests are the current panel chairs for the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee: Alison Aguilar Lopez Gutierrez McLeod, Michael Tino, and Beth Norton. You will not want to miss this conversation. *Notes from the episode* MFC Decision Categories https://docs.googl...

Welcome to Many Windows! This episode continues the New MFC Paradigm series. My guest is the Rev. Amanda Poppei, co-chair of the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC). We’re discussing the areas of ministerial competence, and the addition or re-addition, of a competency in theology. *Notes from the episode* MFC Requirements Appendix - Areas of Competence found here https://docs.google.com/d...

Welcome to Season 4 of Many Windows: Conversations on Ministry! My guest for this episode is the Rev. Dr. Michael Tino, executive committee member and “Transformation Shephard” of the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC). Our topic is the new shift from the old MFC Required Reading list to the NEW Educational Resources paradigm. This is my first conversation in a series - "The New MFC Para...

Welcome Rev. Darrick Jackson, the UUA’s new Ministerial Credentialing Director! If that name seems familiar, Darrick has just come from the executive team at the UU Minister’s Association. Same person, new job. I spent a few minutes talking with Darrick about his new role. Resources from the episode: https://www.uua.org/offices/staff/mfd/credentialing Thank you for listening. Many Windows: Convers...

Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a technology not entirely new, but a hot topic in a number of ways. My guest today is John Dechant, PhD, Director of the Whiggin Library and Archives here at Meadville; we are talking about generative AI and how we are engaging with this technology in theological education. Resources from the episode: ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/ Jenni (the AI text g...

For Unitarian Universalist aspirants and candidates the Ministerial Formation Network (or MFN) is a source of vocational support, spiritual engagement, practical information, and collegial care. The MFN is a collaborative project of the UUMA and UUA, with the goal of supporting every aspirant and candidate in their process. My guest today is the Rev. Michelle Favreault, manager of the Ministerial...

Ever wondered about what it would be like to be in the military part-time? It is possible to have a civilian ministry and be a military chaplain. This episode covers the rich opportunities as well as the challenges of this dual-role-vocation in the reserves and national guard. Today's conversation is with three CAP chaplains Notes from the episode: Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps: https://capchapl...

Ever wondered about what it would be like to be in the military part-time? It is possible to have a civilian ministry and be a military chaplain. This episode covers the rich opportunities as well as the challenges of this dual-role-vocation in the reserves and national guard. My guest is Chap (MAJ) David Pyle, US Army Reserve.  Chaplain Pyle is the Deputy Command Chaplain of the US Army Rese...

Who takes care of the Blue? Air Force chaplains covering both the Air and Space Force! Today's guest is Chaplain (Capt) Anthony Jenkins, active duty Air Force. Chap Jenkins has the somewhat unique experience of having been prior enlisted before becoming a chaplain; in addition, he has served both in the Air Force and the Army. Notes from the episode: Link to Air Force chaplain website: https://www...

Father Mulcahy from MASH your image of an Army chaplain? The Army Chaplain Corps has evolved a lot in exciting ways since that time. My guest is Chaplain (Cpt.) Sarah Caine, active duty Army. Sarah has been on a winding path to get to where she is now and I’m interested to learn about some unique opportunities Army Chaplain Corps has to offer. Note: the process for becoming an Army chaplain as des...

Did you know that Navy chaplains serve the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard? (They also can be found on aircraft and land....not just the water!) Today’s guest, Chaplain Lieutenant Robin Stillwater, is going to give us all the details on this amazing ministry. Chaplain Stillwater is an active duty Navy chaplain, currently serving with the Navy. Note: the process for becoming a Navy chaplain as...

Season 3 begins with a series of podcasts on military chaplaincy. In this episode, I have the honor of speaking with Rev. Dr. Sarah Lammert, Ministry and Faith Development co-director and Ecclesiastical Endorser at the Unitarian Universalist Association.  What is an ecclesiastical endorsement ? Many professional work and volunteer environments require endorsement from a denomination or faith...

In this episode I have the honor to speak with Dr. Kate Lassiter, Senior Director of Lifelong Learning at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Our conversation focus is the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing and Transformation or LIGHT and it’s programming for Fall 2022. Highlighted programs: "Post-Imperial Futures: Addressing Legacy and Living Into Promise" a virtual and hybrid conference....

Have you heard the term Spiritual Direction but were not exactly sure what it is or how it might be different from therapy or pastoral care? My guest today is the Rev. Tandi Rogers, phenomenal minister, religious educator, coach, and spiritual director. Rev Tandi is the Director of the new program Spiritual Direction, Formation and Certification here at Meadville Lombard's Leadership Institute for...

The new academic year is quickly approaching. New students may be feeling the pressure of the unknown. This week I spoke with 3rd year student Beth Monhollen getting her thoughts on the question: What do you wish you had known as you started seminary? Many Windows: Conversations on Ministry is a production of Meadville Lombard Theological School. Theme music is “Destination” by Justhea. This episo...

Today my guests are several members of the the Beloved Conversations Virtual design team, Rhonda Brown, JeKaren Olaoya, and Rev. Kierstin Homblette Allen. Beloved Conversations is a program for people seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. Our program is grounded in Unitarian Universalism, developed and offered by the Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School, a...