Griots’ Dialogical Roots of Faith

…dialogue and learning environments opened to honest dialogue. All generations, regardless of age, are struggling to ‘make meaning’ of what is and what can be, in a rapidly changing technological culture. Each individual in every generation must answer these questions: What do I really believe about God? What is faith? Is faith innate or really organic? How does my understanding…

APCE 2019: Engaging young Christians in social justice

This is post 4 of 6 in the series “APCE 2019” APCE 2019: Anticipation APCE 2019: “Come to the Water” APCE 2019: The tide is changing APCE 2019: Engaging young Christians in social justice APCE 2019: How does Jesus respond to generational suffering? APCE 2019: Revived at the Water’s Edge BY AMY SIMES AND CAROL SCHIERLMANN (A glimpse from an…

New grant to study diversity, equity, and inclusion in preaching and homiletics

…be useful across a wide cross-section of theological education as well as the Christian church in America,” Schade said. “For example, this grant will equip professors of preaching to either start or further their efforts to decenter whiteness and attend to the reconstruction of preaching that fully embraces diversity in all its forms.” Voelz and Schade hope to use the…

Introducing Our New Students

…and shut-in and bringing them monthly communion. He and his wife, Caryl, teach financial freedom strategies at the church. He was drawn to UPSem because of the diversity of cultural and ecumenical experiences. He has been delighted by the open community involvement, especially our partnership with Shalom Farms. Jillian Lincoln came from the farthest away to attend UPSem—she’s originally from…

Director of Christian Education–Highlands United Presbyterian Church–Jacksonville, FL

…families with the community, and reinforcing our intergenerational connections – Very comfortable with social media for staying in touch, particularly with youth and their families – A deep desire to know HUPC (Highlands United Presbyterian Church) and our area community inside and out. – A familiarity with PC(USA) and a believer and follower of reformed theology, in order to accurately…

President Blount statement on passing of Professor Emeritus Glenn Bannerman

…Recreation Workshop classes in the basement of the Early Center. They were crafting. Making extraordinary recreational tools and toys from innocuous household items like pantyhose. He invited me to sit and listen. And he and his students opened up a wonderful world of engagement, of using scripture, theological perspective, familiar and not so familiar games, common and not so common…

The complexity of the prison industrial complex

Union Seminary awarded $400,000 grant to support womanist leadership

…understanding. The Foundation advances its mission through grantmaking and leadership programs in the fields of Asia, higher education, religion and theology, art, and public policy. For more information, please visit www.hluce.org. ### Top photo: The Center for Womanist Leadership’s 2018 Inaugural Gathering in Richmond, VA. Melanie C. Jones photo MEDIA CONTACT Mike Frontiero Director of Communications Union Presbyterian Seminary mfrontiero@upsem.edu…

Sprunt Lectures

…Trailblazer: Rev. Karen Brown (M.Div.’92), pastoral associate at Grace Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, and resource developer for Intersection of Change   Join us for the Third Annual Union Golf Tournament on Monday, May 7th, at Jefferson Lakeside Country Club, 1700 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228. Register at www.regonline.com/Sprunt2018. Click here for a link to the event brochure and schedule….

Social Justice Workshop Keynote Event – Building a Firm Foundation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?mc_cid=40638f9cd5&mc_eid=6142df60b1&v=v3bnyaZRn3s&feature=youtu.be

Student spotlight: A second chance at seminary

…some unfinished business. Back in 1982, Adams entered the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He was working on a Master of Divinity degree and was two years into the program when his wife realized they were having twins. “At the time, she was suffering from post-partum depression and we decided to leave seminary in February of 1985 and went…

Class of 2018 profiles: David Frost hears a strong call to ministry

…What he didn’t realize was that when he moved to the slower pace of the Richmond area, God’s call became louder. By the time he got his associate degree from John Tyler Community College and was ready to take classes at Virginia Commonwealth University, he was hearing a strong call to ministry. While at VCU, Frost majored in psychology and…

Middle East Travel Seminar: Our incredible journey in Galilee continues

…in Galilee visiting more sites and trying to hold in tension the “archeological remains, church traditions, and the embellishments of tour guides” as Max Miller puts it, along with theological reflection and current political realities. It is sensory overload for most of us as we share this trip in the community we have formed with one another. At the same…

Middle East Travel Seminar: Diverse cultural perspectives in Roman-era Zippori

…diverse cultural perspectives into their own art and religious practice. This openness was immediately apparent while viewing the mosaic tile floor of the unearthed synagogue on the hilltop city. This Jewish synagogue was decorated with beautiful mosaic stories and figures familiar to most Christians. What was most striking, however, was the large zodiac symbol in the center of the room…

Thanks for coming to Sprunt Lectures!

…worship leader. Dr. Lewis Galloway (D.Min.’77, Th.M.’79) spoke for the Alumni Luncheon. Dr. Lance Watson (M.A.’86) was the preacher for the 2019 Sprunt Lectures. The Rev. Anna George Traynham (M.Div. ’14) served as worship leader during the Sprunt Lectures. Dr. Harry Simmons, center (M.A.’84) was named the 2019 BAA Trailblazer of the Year, shown here with the Rev. Delano Douglas,…

Online Workshop: Resurrected Church — What Tomorrow’s Church May Look Like Today

…the America of the (near) future? What may be learned from some of the most diverse churches of the Presbyterian Church (USA), blending mixes of race, income level, age, and sexual orientation? What happens when a church has a near-death experience and emerges with a new sense of liberation and comfort with experimentation? Can a congregation be built out of…

Dawe Lecture to focus on how Christian, Jewish traditions can guide civil discourse

…picture of Jewish and Christian comparative learning which, as an exercise in discerning the word-world relation can contribute to this much-needed societal task. Dr. Rashkover is associate professor of religious studies, director of Judaic studies, and director of graduate studies at George Mason University. Lecture title: Comparative Learning: Judaism, Christianity, and the Word-World Relation Free and open to the public…

UPSem announces new Master of Arts in Theological Studies program

…work that graduates are already doing, and prepares them for new vocations as public theologians. The program is approved by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and Union Presbyterian Seminary is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (www.sacscoc.org/). More information is available at https://www.upsem.edu/admissions-aid/new-master-arts-theological-studies/….

Union Seminary announces faculty appointments

…will be as director of the Syngman Rhee Global Mission Center for Christian Education. Davis comes to UPSem from her position as associate professor of religion and Christian education and director of the Christian education program at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. She has served in this position since 2010. Davis received the 2018 ENRICH Educator of the Year…

Central America Travel Seminar: Colonization in Guatemala

…in the 1400s and 1500s. He told us how the indigenous people were slaughtered and forced into slavery. Later on, the colonizers’ descendants realized that they were no longer recognized as Spanish citizens so they declared their independence and claimed that the indigenous population would be free and would be treated equally. As you already know they did not follow…

Student spotlight: Relationship leads to Union

…populations. I just want to provide whatever help I can.” In his free time, Ross loves to lift weights and read non-fiction religious-based books. He is intrigued by all religions. “It doesn’t have to be Christianity based,” Ross said. “I’m really into Greek and Roman mythology, Islam, and Judaism. It gives me better insight into how the different religions work.”…

Director of Ministry with Youth and Families OR Associate Pastor for Youth and Families–Highland Presbyterian Church–Louisville, KY

…to ensure transparency & support. Use communication tools to relay information such as email, social media, newsletters, bulletins. Administrative Weekly staff meetings, staff retreats, participate in session & committee meetings For an ordained candidate pursuing an Associate Pastor position, additional pastoral responsibilities will be considered. Benefits, Salary · Experience: We are open to a candidate with skills and gifts of…