Alt-right rally: Tangible resistance to hatred & evil

…that helped me ultimately decide to participate. Acting on my conscience that we are called to stand for justice and to proclaim a message of love, I chose to take part in the peace march led by the Charlottesville Clergy Collective to McGuffey Park where we sang songs of peace and reconciliation, chanted the words “No hate; no fear. White…

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

…MACE) The following is part of a series of 20 profiles that represent each year that Charlotte has been enrolling students. Clinical Pastoral Resident Novant Spiritual Care Services Charlotte, North Carolina Growing up in England and the Caribbean, Marina Luckhoo now calls Charlotte, North Carolina, home with her husband and two children. Having felt called to ministry early in life,…

Union Forum: What should white Christians do about racism?

…Director, Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership. Union Presbyterian Seminary Richmond, VA Panelists: Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell Senior Minister @Myers Park Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC Kass Ottley Founder & CEO @Seeking Justice Charlotte Rev. Lori Raible (M.Div.’06) Pastor @Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC Read the PC(USA) article. Top photo: Clergy march in Richmond, VA. (photo by Mollie Trainum)…

A time to give thanks

By Rev. Jordan B. Davis (M.Div.‘14) Congregational Corner This past Sunday, I had a conversation with excited elementary aged children about what makes a house a home just before our congregation dedicated their pledges in our stewardship campaign, “Let Us Build A House.” Later that afternoon, I gathered with a family who recently lost their loved one way too soon…

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…

Student spotlight: Longtime educator yearns to learn more

…Theology & Food Justice Nancy Myer: Lifelong learning Senator Scott: Finding community and connection Colleen Earp: Camping, conservation, and chickens In “Reference” to Paula Skreslet Paul Smith: From police officer to pastor Heather Woodworth Brannon advocates for housing justice in Richmond BY JEFF STAPLETON While she enjoys teaching sixth-grade math, Master of Arts in Christian Education student Sandy Asaro also…

Congregational Corner: Take on, A New Perspective

…on” one new thing each week, in turn striving to take on more of the love and grace which Christ exhibited throughout his life, death, and resurrection. I hope that you will join me and share your own experiences! Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief…

Fight Club?

By Rev. Jordan B. Davis (M.Div.‘14) Congregational Corner “Money is like Fight Club, we don’t talk about it.” This was a statement made by a colleague during a stewardship seminar at Union Presbyterian Seminary this past spring. With my thoughts on the upcoming stewardship season, this thought rings loud and true in my memory. If someone had asked me what…

Lonely & waiting: Walking through Advent with those who are grieving

…knew this would likely be the last time that I saw him and my whole body ached with grief. All season, I wondered how we could celebrate Christmas knowing what was on the horizon. Less than a month later, he passed away. The first year following his death, my mother encouraged my siblings and I to each write notes for…

Take our Ugly Christmas Sweater Challenge

The other day when I cranked my car, I was surprised by two things. First, I was reminded that my wife likes to listen to the radio much louder than I do, happily sharing the radio’s music with all the passengers in our car and the cars immediately adjacent. Second, I was startled by Perry Como’s voice coming from the…

Assocuate Pastor for Children & Familes Myers Park Pres – Description

Congregational Corner: Take On A Life Out of the Tomb

…you do that? Is there one (or two) things that you have taken on this Lent which will pave your path away from the tomb? Is there something else in Christ’s life that you would like to take on, following Christ’s risen example of love and grace? Once the sanctuary is empty and the kitchen is cleaned, once the flowered…

What Preachers Can Learn from The Original Kings of Comedy

By Larry L. Enis, adjunct assistant professor of preaching and worship (Ph.D.’13 and Th.M.’04) As a pastor who preaches every week, I’m always searching for ways to sharpen my craft. Recently, as a friend and I were discussing our favorite stand-up comedians, I applauded the great comedians for their ability to engage their audience. This discussion prompted me to ponder…

Started UPSem 2002: Rev. Lori Raible (MDiv 2006)

…MACE) The following is part of a series of 20 profiles that represent each year that Charlotte has been enrolling students. Pastor and Head of Staff Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church Charlotte, North Carolina Born and reared in Salem, Virginia, Rev. Lori Raible (MDiv 2006) grew up attending First United Methodist Church, Salem, a congregation she felt took seriously their baptism…

Started UPSem 2004: Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran (MDiv / MACE 2011)

…MACE) The following is part of a series of 20 profiles that represent each year that Charlotte has been enrolling students. Associate Pastor Reid’s Memorial Presbyterian Church Augusta, Georgia A native Charlottean, Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran (MDiv / MACE 2011) now calls Augusta, Georgia, home with her husband of more than 20 years and what she describes as three unrepentant cats….

“I Wanna Be Whole” Luke 17:1-19

…friends — make me whole so I can be a friend. Heal me, so I feel no more pain — make me whole so I can feel the pain of others. Heal me, so I can have no more tears — make me whole so I can share the tears of others. Say or sing as the hymn writers say,…

Ghana Travel Seminar: Touching the lives of children and teenagers

…them that when they leave the school they will have skills sufficient to be successful in life. In addition to Mawuko, the church also has a school/ home for boys that do not have a parental presence or participation in their home. The school, Nenyo Harboror (Good Group), named by the students, has the capacity for 60. The curriculum is…

Alternative ministries trip yields new ideas and rainbows in Baltimore

…the big, uncomfortable world out there.” The weekend included conversations with leaders from The Center Baltimore, BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development), and The Slate Project. Students also met with local pastors who are intimately connected with their communities—and had the opportunity to get to know some of their parishioners and participate alongside them in service work in the surrounding…

Central America Travel Seminar: Buzzing over Guatemalan coffee and a volcano 🌋

…is decorated with flowers, colorful paper, and the floor with pine straw to smell good as offerings to Mashimun. As part of the offering, you also bring candles. Each color represents something that you are asking of Mashimun. The red candle is for love, the white or yellow candle is for protection, and the purple candle is for drugs or…

Union recognized for superior fundraising performance

…improvement in educational fundraising programs based on data submitted to the Council for Aid to Education’s (CAE) Voluntary Support of Education survey. The survey is conducted annually by CAE and co-sponsored by CASE. A panel of volunteer judges selects winners based on a number of factors, including: Pattern of growth in total support (or adjusted total support if appropriate), evaluation…

Central America Travel Seminar: The day we met Jon Sobrino

…Central America Travel Seminar: Illiteracy, human rights, and deportation Central America Travel Seminar: Stories of exile and oppression Central America Travel Seminar: Colonization in Guatemala Central America Travel Seminar: Worship and futbol Central America Travel Seminar: Buzzing over Guatemalan coffee and a volcano 🌋 Central America Travel Seminar: Our last morning in Guatemala BY DR. PAUL GALBREATH This morning our…

Resources

…The Millionaire Next Door Yale Divinity School – A Handbook on Faith and Money (adobe version) Debt: Ultimate Guide to Paying Down Student Loan Debt Dave Ramsey – Ways to Get Out of Debt Presbyterian Mission – Managing Educational Debt Presbyterian Mission – Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance Presbyterian Mission – Season of Service Loan Assistance Program A Cultivated Nest –…