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On today’s podcast, we’re joined by Rev. Kelly Dignan. In 2017, Rev. Dignan advocated for, and led her congregation – the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado – to become a sanctuary congregation, housing a Peruvian refugee mother and her children. Today’s conversation will focus on the resurgence of the Sanctuary Church Movement during the past 10 years, and how this influenced the Unitarian Universalist Church – Boulder to open up their building as a sanctuary space. We will also discuss the difficulties involved with a congregation making the complicated decision to become a Sanctuary Church as well as the victories, joys, and celebrations involved with being a Sanctuary Congregation.

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On Today’s episode of The "Center", we welcome guest Brian Beals. In 1990, Brian Beals was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison. Beals was incarcerated within several prisons throughout Illinois, and during his wrongful incarceration became a published author. It was during his incarceration in a prison in Dixon, IL that Brian along with other prisoners developed the Mud Theater Project, a prison-based theater group that has produced several award-winning plays. In December 2023, because of evidence produced by the Illinois Innocence Project, Brian’s conviction was overturned, and he was released from prison after a total of 35 years of being incarcerated in a combination of county jails and state prisons. In January 2025, just a year following his release, the Mud Theater Project produced and presented a performance of their production “Searching For Justice” at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. The venue was sold out for the event. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Brian Beals to The “Center.”

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.

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On today’s episode of The “Center” we’re joined by Sister Janet Ryan, OSF, and Eric Anderson. Our conversation will focus on the impact that restorative justice practices have on those who are incarcerated, and also on the staff working within the prison system in the state of Illinois. As a member of the community of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, Sister Janet Ryan has been a guest on The “Center” podcast before to discuss the work that she does with Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, IL. Eric Anderson was formerly incarcerated in the Illinois state prison system. Since his release in 2023, Eric has worked with Sr. Janet Ryan to facilitate Circle Keeper and restorative justice trainings in some of the same prisons where he was once incarcerated.

Please note: The views expressed here are individual views that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.