Resolutions and reflections

…hospitality more often, to spend more face-to-face time rather than just computer-to-computer time, and even to take advantage of more opportunities in life. Jesus didn’t minister or live behind a computer screen or scroll and he didn’t shut the door on guests — he ministered and lived WITH the people, face to face, eating WITH and praying WITH them. I…

Gems For The Journey: Victory In Stress – II Samuel 22:7

…minds and bodies, and most importantly our Christian testimony. The general conditions of our time are most stressful. Here are some “don’t’s” for Christians as we strive to cope with stress? Don’t go to pieces when trials come! On the other hand, don’t harden yourselves like the stoics of old. Some folks look for a scapegoat when hurt comes. Others…

Union announces new trustees chair and members

…are good.” Roberson describes the work of the seminary as being “like a complex symphony, with variation on themes played every day. President Brian Blount is maestro, leading this place in such harmony. The result,” he said, “is melodic.” Roberson, a 1971 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, comes to the chair position after a 35-year…

Resilience amid overwhelming chaos

…waiting for him to come calm it. I forget that I can be resilient too. Now that I am home from APCE and there is reading to complete, papers to write, homework to do, CPE to apply for, a world to pray for, and a wedding to plan, the chaos seems overwhelming again. But I keep thinking about this resilience…

Position Open for Office and Communications Assitant, Holy Comforter Richmond

President Blount statement on passing of Rev. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (MDiv 2008)

…all relocated to North Carolina to be closer to her mother’s family. Graduating from North Carolina Central University, she entered medical school at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Garmon-Brown moved to Charlotte to begin a family practice residency at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in 1980. Since completing her residency in the early 1980s, she held numerous roles at Novant…

The Wrong Story

…flowed, he could not see in his brother his father’s face, could not hear from his brother’s mouth his father’s voice, could not comprehend in his brother’s ways his father’s welcome. So these two men fought for a common inheritance of a common home on a common land, not knowing that their common father had left all he had to…

Started UPSem 2014: Rev. William Joseph “Joey” Haynes III (MDiv 2019)

…also allowed me an affordable Master of Divinity.” Entering seminary, Haynes was looking for an education that provided an opportunity to challenge himself and what he presumed true. “I felt that seminary would offer me the chance to better understand others more deeply and learn how to bring people together to grow, be vulnerable, experience discomfort, build bridges, and have…

Black Lives Matter! MLK

BY WILLIAM R. FREEMAN (M.Div.‘01) A few weeks ago the world remembered the 50th anniversary of the assassination of one of the greatest men in history — The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Notice, I did not say one of the greatest black men; NO, I said one of the greatest men. As a young man living in the…

Middle East Travel Seminar: A great day in Amman

…the east bank of the Jordan River). He said that between two and perhaps five percent of Jordanians are Christian. They are free to worship and are active in their communities, including serving in the Jordanian Parliament. It is illegal for Muslims to enter Christian churches, but evangelism is conducted informally. He dialogues with Muslims. Pastor Bqain discussed the Syrian…

Visiting the Akrofi-Christaller Institute (ACI)

…hold sacred significance for those seeking communion with the divine. The integration of traditional culture and Christianity among Ghanaian Christians is a complex and sensitive issue, often leading to internal and external conflicts. ACI, however, takes a different approach. It strives to bring cultural identity alongside Christianity, enriching both aspects and fostering a harmonious coexistence. –Kathleen Murphy April 29, 2024…

The Gargoyle Speaks: Unscheduled Beauty

…own incredibly privileged lives might become attuned even now to the transcendent reality, incarnate presence, and incumbent values of that future day? Why not? Dear beloved Gargoyle reader, it was amid these questions that our eyes were suddenly opened and we saw that the waters of the pool beside which we stood, upon hearing hallelujahs rising out of upstream darkness,…

Associate Pastor for Children and Adult Ministries–Forest Hills Baptist Church– Raleigh, NC

…for the young adult’s ministry, the men’s and women’s ministries, and the senior adult ministries of the church. The minister will work closely with appropriate teams, committees, and staff to realize the overall mission of Forest Hills Baptist Church: Love God. Love People. Live the Gospel. This is a full-time position. To apply for this position, visit: foresthills.org/careers. Associate-Pastor-for-Children-and-Adults  …

Statement from President Blount on passing of Lamar Williamson Jr.

…Following the service, I noticed my then faculty colleague, Pat Miller, coming forward to greet me, a friend of his in tow. Given the respect I clearly showed for the scholarship in the commentary, Pat wanted me to meet the commentary’s author. And so began my enduring friendship with Lamar, a friendship that blossomed throughout my ministry at Union Presbyterian…

Union Seminary D.Min. program accepting applications

…two. The degree enhances ministry competencies in areas such as proclamation, evangelism, education, interfaith relations, and community advocacy and engagement based on personal and vocational interests. Students gain a deepened capacity for theological reflection on the practices of ministry, especially with respect to social justice and witness. Total tuition for this multi-year degree program is $10,000. Students are eligible for…

Confession, Repentance, and Restorative Justice: A Faith-based Perspective with Dr. Jacq Lapsley

…Perspective”. Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / 11:30 am / Luncheon and Discussion – Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte campus On Tuesday, join Dr. Lapsley for lunch with local faith and community leaders to discuss the Bible, race, and the faith community’s work for reconciliation. Registration is required for the luncheon as seating is limited. Registration information can be found online: https://na.eventscloud.com/csjrfallseminar…

Curso en línea “Senderos” (Online Course in Spanish)

…del centro) Costo: CUOTAS DE INSCRIPCIÓN INDIVIDUAL: Inscripción individual preferencial (finaliza el 27 de enero de 2021): US$75 Inscripción individual regular (comienza el 28 de enero de 2021): US$100 *CUOTAS DE INSCRIPCIÓN PARA GRUPOS (para un hogar, con no más de dos participantes): Inscripción preferencial para grupos (termina el 27 de enero de 2021): $100 Inscripción regular para grupos (comienza…

Online Event: Clergy Self-Care Virtual Retreat

…be provided to discover encouragement amongst peers as well as to experience rejuvenation within a supportive community of caregivers and care seekers. This two and a half hour virtual retreat will include various elements, including presentations from the leaders on the benefits of embodying regular rhythms of rest as well as sharing spiritual practices. Prayer and meditation will be included,…

Public Relations Internship

Student Communications Assistant Department: Communications Office Locations: Richmond, VA, Charlotte, NC, or remote Internship dates: Spring 2022 with eligibility to renew in summer and fall 2022 Who we are Since its formation in 1812, Union Presbyterian Seminary has provided leadership education for Christian ministry that is scholarly, pastoral, and engaged with contemporary life. The Communications Office works cooperatively with other…

Womanist Resources Named During the Just Talk/Talk Just Webinar

…us that terror strikes Black families and Black women are often left to deal with the scars. Following the webinar (https://youtu.be/4KTw3FKP454), we heard requests to make the resources mentioned by panelists available online, and have compiled them into this downloadable document. We hope this helps to keep the conversation going! (To download, click the blue link below the page title.)…

India travel seminar: Leaving our shoes at the door

…pat: find an open place to put our shoes near the door. What had been strange and a bit worrisome in the beginning (Where should we put the shoes? Will they be safe there? Will we recognize them when we come back out?) had all been answered through multiple experiences with this very common practice of leaving our shoes at…