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Kate Meeks: Theology & Food Justice

This is post 8 of 14 in the series “Student Spotlight” Student spotlight: A second chance at seminary Student spotlight: Pay attention to the “bread crumbs” Student spotlight: Relationship leads to Union Student spotlight: The twisting path to seminary Student spotlight: Longtime educator yearns to learn more Student Spotlight: Dana Purdom digs deep Alec Powell: The Unconventional Call Kate Meeks: …

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The gift of inclusion

…with little worry about qualifiers and reasons to walk with one another in our shared journeys. How do you seek inclusion in your own life? How do you help to ensure inclusion in your congregation?   Alumna Jordan B. Davis is Transitional Associate Pastor at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church in Cary, North Carolina, and editor of Congregational Corner.   …

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APCE 2018: What Bible stories do we tell?

…trained to carry this obligation professionally. A welcome desk, room or space can be set up purposely for hosting first-time visitors. This mostly speaks to the finding that first-time visitors stay due to the warm reception accorded them. Adequate Parking Space: It is always necessary for a 21st century Church to have parking space for its congregants. Make sure each …

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Student spotlight: A second chance at seminary

…back to live with my mom and dad,” Adams said. Fast forward more than three decades and a career in property management in between; Adams decided to go back to seminary and, this time, attend Union Presbyterian Seminary. “I’ve always felt like that was an unfinished part of my life,” he said. “But with six children and the demands of …

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Gems for the Journey: Joy (Jesus Over You)

…origin and means friend, and still have joy after reading his view in the Virginian Pilot. This individual commented on Bubba Wallace of NASCAR stating that there are individuals who don’t get it when people kneel during the playing of “the Star-Spangled Banner”. He replied, “No, Wallace, you don’t get it”. While our country is not perfect, it sure beats …

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Ghana Travel Seminar: Elimina Slave Castle

…and lands surrounding Elmina for resisting, 1/3 perished at the castle or at sea, and 1/3 arrived in Europe, Caribbeans, and/or the Americas to be sold. We toured the dungeons where the African women and African men were held until deportation. Deportation took weeks and sometimes months before a ship arrived to take them away. In the dungeons there was …

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Pastor – First Presbyterian Church – Dixon IL

First Presbyterian Church Dixon, Illinois Located in the scenic Sauk Valley in Northwest Illinois, the First Presbyterian Church of Dixon, established in 1853, desires a called pastor to help shepherd our church into its third century. Our focus is caring well for our congregants, and lovingly supporting our community with hands on action as well as financial gifts. As spiritual …

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Lenten Devotional

…promise to care for our neighbors and for God’s creation. An important step in this baptismal journey is growing in our knowledge of the water we depend on for daily life. What is your local watershed? What is the closest river or body of water? A renewed emphasis on discipleship and earth care invites us to find ways to recognize …

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Confession, Repentance, and Restorative Justice

…grace that enables us to raise our voices with more accountability. Theologically, confession is an acknowledgment of the reality that Christians must rely on the grace of God. Confession requires telling the truth before God and others. The Church practices this behavior with rich confessional traditions and should be able to humbly model it as we engage in the critical …

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Richmond Admissions

…of the finest theological libraries in the United States. The campus is on the national historic registry. Students doing their studies in Richmond can take classes across a wide variety of modalities, including in-person and hybrid, depending on their degree program. In-person classes are typically offered during the weekdays. Opportunities for fellowship, worship, and spiritual development are plentiful.     …

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President Search

  November 21st, 2022 Greetings Friends of Union Presbyterian Seminary, We are pleased to provide an update on the search for the next President of Union Presbyterian Seminary. First, we give thanks for your continued interest and prayerful support as our committee moves deeper into the process of discernment. Change is afoot and leadership matters. Union equips leaders for the …

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Center for Womanist Leadership

 Drawing from the Black Southern colloquial expression (you actin’ womanish), the word “womanist” is a dynamic term that describes a growing field of study and social movement that takes seriously the historical and contemporary experiences of Black women while advocating for the wholeness and wellbeing of all humanity. Union Presbyterian Seminary has developed the Center for Womanist Leadership “to …

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William Klein, former trustee, dies

…call to serve as the pastor of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was ordained July 25, 1954, by Asheville Presbytery. He served the Black Mountain Church until he accepted a call to the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1959. Eight years later he received a call to his third …

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Class of 2018 profiles: Sara Pantazes can’t wait to dive in

…had a full plate taking care of her growing family. “When I started the program, my second son was three months old and he’s now five. I’ve done this whole thing online while raising young kids.” She was fresh off quitting a job in fundraising and development when she started taking a Bible study program at her church. While that …

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Middle East Travel Seminar: Little Petra and glamping(?)

…we headed to what is known as “Little Petra.” However, we quickly learned that there is nothing little about Little Petra. It’s more of an extension of the amazing views we saw yesterday. There, we were surprised to find more hiking and exploring opportunities, and even more surprised that we were willing to give them a try after yesterday! All …

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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 …

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5 things about Russ Kerr’s summer break

During the summer months, Union Presbyterian Seminary students work, intern, or study in a variety of settings, often earning course credit and learning what it means to be the Church in the World. Some stay near campus, while others move away for a few months. On the blog this summer, we are featuring some of our students and the work …

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Alt-right rally: Tangible resistance to hatred & evil

…clad in all-black riot gear, a sobering and chilling image that no picture on the news can adequately capture. I reflected in that moment that their humanity was hidden under all that gear, for I could not see any faces, no eyes to catch and no connection to find. All morning long, I could hear sirens in the distance, the …

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Senator Scott: Finding community and connection

…him to move to three different cities, change career tracks, and further his education. In 2014, Scott says he hit a low point; his marriage fell through, he lost his job, and found himself behind on bills. Through this time, however, Scott says “I learned and grew a lot… I realized I had been struggling with depression. I realized my …

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