#101
HUNGER IN MILWAUKEE
Executive Director Sherrie Tussler from the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, and Donna Gazzana, Director of Outreach Ministries for St. John's Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee--and the Cathedral's Open Door Cafe Interfaith Community Meal Program discuss the extent of hunger in Milwaukee, the causes, safety nets, and long-term solutions to self-sufficiency with host Mark Siegrist. (1 of 13)
#102
MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity is a symbol of affordable housing in Milwaukee. It is also a motivating force in urban neighborhoods, and a beacon for volunteerism in communities. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with Sara Kierzek, Executive Director for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, and Katie Kowalski, Volunteer Coordinator for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity to learn about the history, growth, and accomplishments of this faith-based organization. (2 of 13)
#103
MILWAUKEE'S DIVERSITY IN FAITH AND CULTURE
Milwaukee prides itself in having a rich diversity of faith and culture. Diversity offers different perspectives, traditions, inspiration, and talent. When it comes to faith and culture, how well are we using that richness in building a better Milwaukee? Host Mark Siegrist speaks with The Rev. Ken Wheeler, pastor of Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, and Dr. Waheed Ahmed, board chairman of the Milwaukee Islamic Da'wa Center. (3 of 13)
#104
RESTORING MILWAUKEE'S CATHOLIC FAITH
The clergy sex abuse scandal has caused moral shame, spiritual doubt, and financial hardship throughout the Church and right here in Southeast Wisconsin. So how can the Church salvage its role as a moral leader and model for social action? Host Mark Siegrist interviews Father Carl Diederichs, pastor of All Saints Catholic Church in Milwaukee and Sister Barbara Linke, vocations director for the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Elm Grove. (4 of 13)
#105
NEIGHBORHOOD VIOLENCE
Milwaukee's interfaith leaders are doing more than preaching non-violence in Milwaukee. They're putting words into action. Milwaukee is truly a city in renaissance. City planners are re-defining our urban lifestyle and sense of community. But many of our neighborhoods are still struggling to survive a daily existence of poverty, addiction, and violence. Milwaukee's interfaith community is a major partner in responding to that violence, and the social challenges that contribute it. Host Mark Siegrst speaks with Kit Murphy McNally, executive director of the non-profit interfaith agency the Benedict Center, and Rev. Leondis Fuller, director of mentoring and training for the faith based initiative Word of Hope Ministries. (5 of 13)
#106
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Good use of our natural resources is more than just a social or political initiative. It's part of our spiritual connection with life itself. Milwaukee's faith traditions are deeply involved in the environmental issue. Their contributions range from teaching, preaching, and organized worship, to helping maintain parklands, and community gardens. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with Rev. Volina Cross-Dukes, Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee; Judy Miller serves as Head of School for Milwaukee Jewish Day School; and, Rev. John Strassburger, Program Director for the Faith & Ecology Initiative, at the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. (6 of 13)
#107
MILWAUKEE JOBS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
When it comes to pulling itself out of poverty, Milwaukee has a lot of work to do. U.S. Census figures indicate Milwaukee has the 7th highest poverty rate for a city of its size. Milwaukee's interfaith leaders believe that maintaining a strong economy is more than a financial goal. It's an investment in human dignity. That' s why they're building partnerships to strengthen Milwaukee neighborhoods and the community as a whole. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with Rev. Joseph Jackson, Pastor of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. He's also a leader in the organization, Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope. Pamela Fendt serves as Director of the Good Jobs & Livable Neighborhoods Coalition. Rev. Dr. Demetrius Williams is Assistant Minister at Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee. He's also an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature in the Religious Studies program at University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. (7 of 13)
#108
FAITH IN HEALTH CARE
Do we have a moral obligation in Greater Milwaukee to provide accessible and affordable health care to everyone? Why are local spiritual leaders so concerned about the well being of the body, as well as the soul? Milwaukee's interfaith community is deeply involved in the field of health care, from institutional medicine, to parish clinics, nursing ministries, counseling, and chaplaincy programs. It's also concerned with the ethical challenge of making sure good health is a way of life in Milwaukee, and not a hardship. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with Dr. Barbara Horner-Ibler, lead physician for the Bread of Healing Clinic at Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee--she is also a Presbyterian minister; Rabbi Leonard Lewy, Director of the Jewish Chaplaincy Program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation; and, Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, President & Executive Director of Samaritan Family Wellness in Glendale. He is also the former Rector at St. Christophers Episcopal Church in River Hills. (8 of 13)
#109
VALUE-BASED EDUCATION
Public and private academic leaders often use the phrase "value based education," when describing the depth of their learning environment for young people. How are Milwaukee-area primary and secondary schools developing moral character, as well as strong minds? Host Mark Siegrist explores how students are being nurtured to appreciate the value of their community, and society as a whole. Milwaukee educators discuss how the process involves an emphasis on tolerance, ethics, and use of ones knowledge for the greater good. Guests: Brother Bob Smith is President of Messmer Catholic Schools. Dr. Cynthia Ellwood is Principal of Hartford University School, and Wanis Shalaby is Principal of Salam School. (9 of 13)
#110
WAR & PEACE
Faithful people are called upon to be promoters of peace. Yet, global citizens are often faced with the reality of war. Military conflict is felt on a far more personal level when friends, neighbors, and families, are directly involved. Milwaukee's interfaith community provides spiritual and moral support for those in uniform, and their families, while still serving as a symbol of peace. Balancing those two aspects of pastoral care can be a challenge. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with guests: Father G. Simon Harak, S.J, Director of the Marquette University Center for Peacemaking; The Rev. Carolyn Fredriksen, Pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Greendale; and, Ed Schmitt, a retired Navy Captain who helps facilitate a military and family support group at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield. (10 OF 13)
#111
WORKPLACE ETHICS
Professional ethics and standards are applied to a variety of vocations in life, from finance and business, to law, health care, and public service--to name a few. Sometimes they're formally written. Other times they're simply implied, understood, or open for interpretation. It's that grey area of moral decision-making that can be the most challenging. In essence, how should our spiritual convictions influence our calling in life, our relationship with others, and the people we ultimately serve? Host Mark Siegrist speaks with Rev. James Huebner, Pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee; Janet Hinz, Instructor in the College of Business & Management at Cardinal Stritch University; and, Rev. Don Greer, Pastor of Summerfield United Methodist Church in Milwaukee. (11 of 13)
#112
CHALLENGEES OF CONTEMPORARY FAMILY LIFE
It's a difficult time for many families to survive in Greater Milwaukee. The economy, unemployment, the war, health care, crime, strained relationships--the list goes on when you consider the challenges of daily life in our community. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with Milwaukee interfaith leaders to learn how households are coping. They discuss how spirituality can offer strength to families when facing external pressures, and relationship issues from within. Guests: The Rev. Craig Schwalenberg, Assistant Minister for the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee. Inshirah Farhoud, Nurse Practitioner at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin--and an active member in the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Father Jose Moreno, S.J., Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Patrick Parishes in Milwaukee. (12 of 13)
#113
FAITH IN GOVERNMENT
The fall elections have renewed expectations for government's role in helping improve our communities, and nation as a whole. A new administration, congress, and state legislature, will no doubt have an impact on our way of life in greater Milwaukee. To a large degree that change will depend on the financial commitment, programs, and policies in our region. So with that in mind, we thought it was appropriate to ask interfaith leaders what their expectations are of government to continue addressing the social justice needs in our community. Guests: Paula Simon is the Executive Director of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations. The Rev. Paul Stumme-Diers is Bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Othman Atta serves as President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.
#114
MILWAUKEE WOMEN IN FAITH LEADERSHIP
Scripture often reminds us of the important roles that women have played in faith history. The stories of Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Elizabeth, and Mary, are common in religious education. Women have always contributed richly to spiritual life. Yet only in recent decades have they been able to assume greater positions of authority, especially in ordained leadership. So, what is the spiritual and social impact of breaking the stained glass ceiling? Host Mark Siegrist speaks with special guests: The Rev. Deborah Block, Pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, and Rabbi Roxanne Shapiro, Director of Life-Long Learning at Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee.
#115
MILWAUKEE IMMIGRATION OUTREACH
Immigration reform is one of the more compelling social debates occurring in the nation and our region of the state. Political conviction, a troubled economy, and prejudice, have often fueled emotions on the issue. Whether you're fleeing oppression, or in search of a better life, immigrating to a new land is never easy. Milwaukee's interfaith community is well aware of that. So it's reaching out to families in a variety of ways, from spiritual support, to resettlement assistance, and legal direction. Respect for human dignity is at the core of its concern. Host Mark Siegrist speaks with specia guests: Barbara Graham, Director of Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Rev. Walter Baires, a member of the pastoral team at Ascension Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Pastor Baires is originally from El Salvador.
#116
RESEARCH & MEDICAL ETHICS
How do medical researchers and physicians know they're doing the right thing when searching for cures, or healing a patient? What is the ethical framework for science and medicine all about, and how is it applied to new technology, and evolving health care? Today, medicine is packed with a range of moral issues, from stem cell research, to organ transplants, and death & dying. Host Mark Siegrist and guests discuss the discipline of Bioethics. Guests: Robyn Shapiro, Professor of Bioethics, and Director of the Center for the Study of Bioethics, at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Dr. Mark Repenshek, Health Care Ethicist for Columbia St. Mary's Health System in Milwaukee.
#117
Acceptance of Milwaukees Gay & Lesbian Faithful
Acceptance of Milwaukees Gay & Lesbian Faithful: When it comes to practicing ones faith, should sexual orientation really matter? Just how accepting is Milwaukees faith community of the gay and lesbian lifestyle? Milwaukee area congregations regard themselves as open and welcoming. Yet in reality, are the gay and lesbian faithful encouraged to participate in the full spiritual life of our community? How candid can one be about sexual orientation without fear of being judged or isolated by others religious convictions? The national debate over the blessing of same sex couples, and ordination of gay clergy, stems at least in part from the fundamental issue of acceptance. Guests: The Rev. Debra Trakel serves as Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Milwaukee. Rev. Andrew Warner is Pastor of Plymouth Church, a United Church of Christ congregation on Milwaukees East Side.
#118
Spirituality & Consumerism
How can hard economic times help us reassess what we need as opposed to what we want? Can a more simple life actually lead to a happier life? Our various faith traditions have long emphasized the benefits of simplicity in our lives. Were often reminded that less reliance on material goods, money, and power, can free us up for a deeper spirituality within ourselves, and in our relationship with others. Those teachings are certainly being tested in todays recession. Society also encourages us to work hard, provide a good living for our families, and invest in the economy. So how should we strive to achieve both the sustaining of life, and meaning of life? Guests: Rev. Tonen OConnor is the Resident Priest at the Milwaukee Zen Center. Dr. Lakshmi Bharadwaj is Associate Professor of Sociology at UW-Milwaukee. He also chairs the Education & Outreach Committee for the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin in Pewaukee.
#119
A Renewed Call for Community Service
Back in 1961 John F. Kennedy inspired a nation to community service. Now Barack Obama is renewing the call. As President, he hopes to instill a deeper connection with the urban condition. Volunteer service is at the heart of his vision. Here in Milwaukee, non-profit and faith-related agencies are on the front lines of that struggle. Host Mark Siegrist and his guests discuss the opportunities to serve in Milwaukee, our moral obligation, the greatest needs, and the potential impact on the community as a whole.
Guests: LaNelle Ramey is the Northwest Area Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. Brother Mark Carrico, OFM Cap., is Executive Director of the House of Peace, a Capuchin Franciscan urban ministry.