Dr. Paula Owens Parker: Computer programmer turned womanist theologian

…for Womanist Leadership, renamed in honor of its founder. “Dr. Cannon was the director and the guiding star for us,” Parker said. For the future of the center, Parker envisions on-campus lectures by womanist scholars; summer institutes for black women seminarians; internships for local, national and international students; and communication beyond the classroom through, blogs, podcasts, and online seminars. “The…

Statement from President Blount on the death of George Floyd

RICHMOND, VA (May 31, 2020) — The following statement was made by Union Presbyterian Seminary President Brian K. Blount on the death of George Floyd, a black man who died Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck until he stopped breathing and nationwide protests over police mistreatment of African Americans.   “And they conquered…

An incredible Sprunt Lectures 2017

It was a most incredible week on the Richmond campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary for our annual Sprunt Lectures. Nearly 200 alumni and friends of Union were able to attend the lectures May 8-10 by Dr. Dana Robert, Truman Collins Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission at Boston University School of Theology, and hear the prophetic preaching of…

Class of 2018 profiles: Rosy Robson prepares for what comes next

This is post 1 of 7 in the series “Class of 2018” Class of 2018 profiles: Rosy Robson prepares for what comes next Class of 2018 profiles: Pamela Fusting will close no door Class of 2018 profiles: Christopher Manunyo-Nyonyoh prepared to make a difference in Ghana Class of 2018 profiles: Sara Pantazes can’t wait to dive in Class of 2018…

Started UPSem 2018: Jason Smith

This is post 17 of 20 in the series “Profiling 20 Years of Faithful Calls” Started UPSem 2002: Rev. Lori Raible (MDiv 2006) Started UPSem 2003: Rev. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (MDiv 2008) Started UPSem 2004: Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran (MDiv / MACE 2011) Started UPSem 2005: Rev. Noe Juarez-Loayza (MDiv 2010) Started UPSem 2006: Rev. Lorenzo Small (MDiv 2013) Started UPSem…

Started UPSem 2021: Matt Wiedle (pursuing MDiv and MACE)

This is post 20 of 20 in the series “Profiling 20 Years of Faithful Calls” Started UPSem 2002: Rev. Lori Raible (MDiv 2006) Started UPSem 2003: Rev. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (MDiv 2008) Started UPSem 2004: Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran (MDiv / MACE 2011) Started UPSem 2005: Rev. Noe Juarez-Loayza (MDiv 2010) Started UPSem 2006: Rev. Lorenzo Small (MDiv 2013) Started UPSem…

APCE 2018: Christian Education as a ministry of deep and wide hospitality

BY ARCHANA SAMUEL This is my first time at APCE. The theme of APCE 2018 is Deep and Wide Hospitality. I have learned one significant model of Christian Education: as a Christian educator, be a facilitator and a channel who lights the light of transformation in the lives of a faith community. Irrespective of ages and abilities, Christian education is…

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

This is post 16 of 20 in the series “Profiling 20 Years of Faithful Calls” Started UPSem 2002: Rev. Lori Raible (MDiv 2006) Started UPSem 2003: Rev. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (MDiv 2008) Started UPSem 2004: Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran (MDiv / MACE 2011) Started UPSem 2005: Rev. Noe Juarez-Loayza (MDiv 2010) Started UPSem 2006: Rev. Lorenzo Small (MDiv 2013) Started UPSem…

The Class of 2021 shares UPSem memories

This is post 1 of 4 in the series “BAA Newsletter May 2021” The Class of 2021 shares UPSem memories Living COVID While Black and George Floyd Reading Revelation through the Trials of Phillis Wheatley Black Religious Education and Public Ministry BY MICHELLE WALKER It is my great joy to share about the next crop of BAA members. I have…

Remembering Elizabeth Apperson Ramsey (1924-2016)

Elizabeth Apperson Ramsey, former Associate Professor of Christian Education at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE), now known as Union Presbyterian Seminary, died on December 14, 2016, at the age of 92. “She was a devoted teacher both to her graduate students and to the preschoolers whom she oversaw,” said former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and former…

Started UPSem 2019: Ryan Atkinson

This is post 18 of 20 in the series “Profiling 20 Years of Faithful Calls” Started UPSem 2002: Rev. Lori Raible (MDiv 2006) Started UPSem 2003: Rev. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (MDiv 2008) Started UPSem 2004: Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran (MDiv / MACE 2011) Started UPSem 2005: Rev. Noe Juarez-Loayza (MDiv 2010) Started UPSem 2006: Rev. Lorenzo Small (MDiv 2013) Started UPSem…

2019 Graduates

BY MICHELLE J. WALKER, (Vice President for Community Life, Dean of Students, and Director, Financial Aid) It is my pleasure to introduce four of our African American graduates for 2019. Linda Fox, graduating with the M.Div./M.A.C.E. dual degrees and Bessie Taliaferro, graduating with the MACE degree the Richmond campus. Also graduating from the Charlotte campus will be Brent Edwards and…

APCE 2019: Revived at the Water’s Edge

This is post 6 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 MARCY WRIGHT “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the…

A History of Homelessness

…and dependent on welfare or social security. They usually resided in cheap hotels, flophouses, and single room occupancy hotels (SROs) located in the poorest areas of urban America. (Peter Rossi; Down and Out in America: The Origins of Homelessness) Most periods of homelessness have been mitigated by robust responses from the federal government, including the Housing Act of 1937 and…

Statement from President Blount on the passing of former professor Dean McBride

RICHMOND, VA (May 13, 2020) — The following statement was made by Union Presbyterian Seminary President Brian K. Blount on the death of S. Dean McBride Jr., the Cyrus H. McCormick Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation, Emeritus, at Union Presbyterian Seminary (UPSem). Dr. McBride died May 12 at his home in Kilmarnock, Virginia, while surrounded by his loving…

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Tinsley Jones called to direct Leadership Institute at Union Seminary

RICHMOND, Va. (July 25, 2018) – Tinsley Jones has accepted a call to return to her alma mater at Union Presbyterian Seminary as director of program development for The Leadership Institute, which strengthens and enriches the ministries of churches and other ministry settings, and serves as a significant partner in the ongoing process of educating and equipping leaders for service…

Harvard professor, minister urges UPSem graduates to care for fractured world

RICHMOND, VA (May 25, 2018) – The Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Walton pulled no punches in his May 19 sermon delivered to the 2018 graduates of Union Presbyterian Seminary and the 400 family members and friends who packed Ginter Park Presbyterian Church near the Richmond campus. “You have researched and written about moral frameworks and ethical traditions, only to find…

Worship and Sacraments (Christian Educator Certification Course)

…Synchronous meetings are from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Eastern Time The purpose of this course is to provide a Reformed theological foundation of worship and the sacraments that informs the education for and the practice of each in the congregational setting. This course is open to all and it is not necessary to be seeking certification in order to participate.  …

Worship and Sacraments (Christian Educator Certification Course)

…Synchronous meetings are from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Eastern Time The purpose of this course is to provide a Reformed theological foundation of worship and the sacraments that informs the education for and the practice of each in the congregational setting. This course is open to all and it is not necessary to be seeking certification in order to participate.  …

Worship and Sacraments (Christian Educator Certification Course)

…Synchronous meetings are from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Eastern Time The purpose of this course is to provide a Reformed theological foundation of worship and the sacraments that informs the education for and the practice of each in the congregational setting. This course is open to all and it is not necessary to be seeking certification in order to participate.  …