Pulling Out All the Stops with the Seraph Brass

…Union’s President Brian Blount. “The current organ was built for a church and donated to Union after it was more than 80 years old. A crew of volunteers from the seminary drove to Bedford, took the organ apart, loaded it onto a U-Haul trailer, brought it to Richmond, lugged it up the stairs at Watts, and over three months rebuilt …

14th Annual Inter-Seminary Ultimate Disc Tournament at UPSem

Travel to Richmond for food, fun, and fellowship with your seminary neighbors as we compete for the coveted Ezekiel’s Wheel trophy. As you may know, Ezekiel’s Wheel has been handed down to ultimate disc champions for the last, well, let’s just say it’s been a while. We anticipate a pool play format wherein each team will play a minimum of …

Monumental Confederate controversy solution might be ancient history

…known as the “golden age” of monasticism in the early Christian church. “There were, in the ancient world, many paths toward asceticism and monasticism, but this was the ‘place and space’ which came to be seen as the birthplace of all monasticism in the broader world,” she said. “It eclipsed these other forms.” “Why?” she asked. “What is the mechanism …

Growing into Tomorrow . . . Today

…the PC(USA) Board of Pensions Cost: There is no registration cost for this event. Lunches are $12 per day. Click here for more information and registration through the Board of Pensions. Description: Planning for retirement can be challenging. Our holistic retirement planning seminar helps mid- to late-career plan members explore steps they can take today for their best retirement tomorrow. …

Vocational Planning

…current ministry opportunities. Other job posting websites include: PC (USA) Church Leadership Connection ChurchStaffing.com MinistryJobs.com Idealist (non-profit jobs) YouthPastor.com PREPARATION FOR PCUSA SENIOR ORDINATION EXAMS The Supervised Ministry and Vocational Planning Office organizes review sessions for the Biblical Exegesis, Church Polity, Theology and Worship & Sacraments exams offered during the fall, winter and spring cycles of each academic year.   …

Black Lives Matter!

William R. Freeman (M.Div.‘01) While turning the pages of the Friday, February 9, 2018, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch my eyes lit up as I read an article reprinted on page A-3 from The Washington Post—“Study: U.S. students deeply ignorant of slavery history.”   Below is 90 percent of that article: “Consider this from a new report on how U.S. …

Congregational Corner: Creating Space

…the space since the original design was created and the energy would break down the walls. After several conversations, measurements, and digging deep for everything I had learned while watching home design shows on Saturday mornings, it was decided that the best idea was to move the youth into the current nursery and preschool space (which would be moving into …

Online Workshop: Teaching Social Justice in Comfortable Congregations and a Deeply Divided World

…a brief consideration of the biblical and theological foundations before moving on to constructing a framework for integrating justice into the teaching ministry of congregations and contexts for ministry. Opportunities for practicing practical application between sessions will be provided.   THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 | 11:30 A.M. -1:30 P.M. EDT Session 2: This session will examine pedagogical strategies, educational techniques, and …

6 things about Bruce McVey’s summer break

…to be more comfortable with silence — especially in a pastoral care environment. Moreover, I have (re) learned that the Holy Spirit often speaks to us during those moments of silence. During these silent times, when I think that I have no idea what to say to a patient who is grieving a terminal diagnosis, I have relied on the …

Middle East Travel Seminar: The Western Wall, Temple Mount, and Dome of the Rock

…Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, a 7th century AD mosque. The hill is important to Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Muslims believe Muhammed was transported there in a dream and saw a vision of paradise. Jews and Christians believe the hill is Mt. Moriah where God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. The east side of the Temple Mount …

New Book by James Atwood coming November 2019

…to action to Christians to work together to stop gun violence. An avid hunter for many years, Rev. Atwood enumerates the tragic and far-reaching costs that accrue in a country with more guns than people. Collateral damage includes a generalized fear and loss of trust. Published by Herald Press (www.heraldpress.com), “Collateral Damage” will also be available through Amazon and Kindle. …

Toxicology, cataracts, & Paul… oh, my!

…Association for Presbyterian Christian Educators conference last week, I left both encouraged and full of unanswered questions. I was encouraged through several conversations I had, but I still didn’t know how to solve so many “problems.” In those excited moments with the youth who re-preached my sermon, I found my answer. Most problems in ministry are best solved by stepping …

Dr. DeVries speaking on the beginnings of the Protestant movement at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church

…Richmond, on the beginnings of the Protestant movement and Martin Luther, its founder Who was a complex man with many ideas and moods and strengths and flaws and who left a larger than life footprint on the whole future of Western Christianity. Dr. Dawn DeVries is the John Newton Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA.   …

UPSem Names Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty Next Vice President for Advancement

…of church relations for St. Andrews Presbyterian College prior to his work with the Presbyterian Church USA. In his almost two decades of service to the PC (USA), he consistently raises friends and funds to support future Presbyterian ministers through his collaborative style while focusing on a culture of generosity. A natural communicator, Dr. Hinson-Hasty is known for his acumen …

Gifts and giving

BY HELEN BESSENT BYRD (M.Div.’07) One of the basic precepts of Christian living is gift giving. Sovereign God, who is the creator, sustainer and redeemer, provides for his followers and teaches them to be good stewards of the blessings that he bestows on them. Living out the abundant love of the Triune God, Christians are to love God (Deut, 6:5) …

Associate Pastor for Families and Formation–First Baptist Church–Jefferson City, MO

…all who are seeking to follow Christ. Thank you for prayerfully considering this position. For the glory of God and the good of the world, Sondra Allen, Chair, Associate Pastor of Families and Formation Search Committee Committee Members: Mandee Carney (Children’s Ministry Representative) Glenna Honich (Youth Ministry Representative) James Preston (Adult Ministry Representative) MINISTRY DESCRIPTION FIRSTBAPTIST CHURCH, JEFFERSON CITY,MO TITLE: …

Practicing Radical Acts of Kindness

…love in simple acts of kindness. Accept freely the act of grace that God has bestowed upon you and freely share it with those around you. Reciprocate with simple acts of kindness daily as you pray: Let me be a little kinder; let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me; let me praise a little …

Union Seminary to host “Icons Reimagined” exhibit

Union Presbyterian Seminary will host a free public exhibit, titled “Icons Reimagined,” beginning November 1, 2018, at William Smith Morton Library, 3406 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227. The exhibit will feature oil paintings and collage/mixed media works by local artist Kay Vass Darling along with books from Morton Library’s collection pertaining to icons, worship, and iconography. The exhibit will be …

Started UPSem 2017: Rev. Marina Luckhoo (pursuing MDiv)

…organized religion was less appealing than her more certain call to care for others. That desire to link faith with care drew Luckhoo to train as a nurse. Now a registered nurse, she has worked in cardiac care, oncology, and hospice. Later in life, she sensed the tug toward ministry renewed and sought ways to further connect her sense of …

Washington Pastor-Job-Description

Online Workshop: Teaching for Understanding & Engagement

…or simply a burdensome obligation we are dutybound to continue? Are we teaching in ways that nurture a dynamic and relevant faith that shapes our very being and the way we live in the world, or are we still lumbering around with an educational approach that consumes energy and imagination like a 1940s model car guzzled gasoline? Teaching in congregations–Bible …

They were (are) heard!

…35 youth bent over their cards and scribbled away. When it came time to compose our prayer, I expected half of the cards to contain something I could actually use in the prayer (you know how teenagers can be!)– I could not have been more wrong. Tears filled my eyes as I read their prayers that filled every single card. …