Sunday Forum

Fall 2026 Speakers

September 27

Funmi Olopade: Nigerian-born American professor and expert in cancer risk-assessment and individualized treatment, MacArthur Fellow

Ray Suarez: journalist and author of We are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century.

Funmi and Ray explore global health equity, systemic disparities in medical care, and the power of narrative in public health. They highlight how combining scientific innovation with effective journalism and community engagement is key to addressing healthcare inequalities.
 

View Funmi and Ray's conversation here! 

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October 4

Nancy French: author and political commentator

David French: opinion columnist and journalist

Nancy and David French discuss how modern political polarization impacts Christian communities and personal relationships. They reflect on the personal cost of standing by moral convictions over political tribalism, emphasizing the need for integrity, grace, and civil discourse in divided times.

View Nancy and David's conversation here! 

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October 11 

Eileen Shanley-Roberts: seminary professor and director of contextual learning

Richard Hoskins: diocesan chancellor emeritus and professor of law

Titled Persevering in Faith through Dark Times, Richard provides historical examples of crisis moments when Christians endured even greater threats than we do today and came through with steadfast faith. Eileen provides contemporary thoughts on how we as Episcopalians can learn from such lessons and deepen our own faith in the difficult days of our society and body politic.

View Eileen and Richard's conversation here!

 

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October 25

Craig Mueller: Our new Priest Associate on staff, the Rev. Dr. Craig Mueller is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and served as the Lead Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago for over 25 years. 

Craig presents the story of his journey to joining the staff at St. James as well as the similarities and differences between The Episcopal Church and the ELCA, particularly pertaining to the Called to Common Mission agreement.

 

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November 1

  • John Palfrey: President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, John Palfrey serves on the board of the Fidelity Non-Profit Management Foundation, the governance council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and on a number of boards within the philanthropic field. He teaches as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School.

  • Darrell Miller: Harry N. Wyatt Professor of Law at University of Chicago, Darrell Miller is a scholar of civil rights, constitutional law, and state and local governments. He currently serves on the council of the American Law Institute.

John and Darrell will explore why the Rule of Law matters, what hangs in the balance, and how it connects to our daily lives and church practice in an open discussion for all.

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November 15

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Check back regularly for updates!

 

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