President Brian Blount statement on passing of Katherine Johnson

RICHMOND, VA (February 24, 2020) — Union Presbyterian Seminary President Brian K. Blount issued the following statement today on the passing of Katherine G. Johnson, a NASA mathematician depicted in the film “Hidden Figures” and a longtime Presbyterian. Dr. Blount was Johnson’s onetime pastor at Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church in Newport News, Virginia. Sharon and I were deeply saddened this …

Susan Blanchard called as first director of Baptist House of Studies at Union Seminary

RICHMOND, VA (May 19, 2021) – Rev. Susan Pierson Blanchard (M.Div. / M.A.C.E. ’97) has accepted a call to lead a new initiative for Cooperative Baptists beginning this fall at Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Richmond campus. As director of the Baptist House of Studies (BHS) program, Blanchard, an ordained Baptist minister, will help students navigate the institution and their ordination process. …

“I am a Witness.”

…To view the exhibit is to get lost in time—to learn from the history of pertinent moments in the Civil Rights struggle, like Freedom Summer; the murder of Goodman, Cheney, and Schwerner; Bloody Sunday; the successful Selma to Montgomery march two weeks later; the freeing of Nelson Mandela; and the election of Barack Obama, among a host of other events. …

W. Sibley Towner, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation, dies at 85

RICHMOND, VA (May 23, 2018) – The Rev. Dr. W. Sibley “Sib” Towner, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation, who was valued and cherished for his wisdom, humor, and remarkable capacity to relate the Bible to the creative arts and the art of living, died early Wednesday morning. Towner died peacefully after a period of declining health in Kilmarnock, Virginia, where …

Pierson-Carol-Richmond

Pierson-Carol Richmond

Associate Pastor–First Presbyterian Church–Vero Beach, FL

…The nature of our staff and leadership affords continuity for our congregation allowing them to take risks, seek upgrades, and promote new ideas in service to Christ. The staff of FPCVB has six core values that drive our service: God is Good, Praise /Alleluia, Authenticity, Creativity, Generosity, and Team Accountability. FPCVB has established a “Five Talent Church” structure. This structure …

Black Alumni Association News | August 2023

Juneteenth Although it’s only recently been declared a federal holiday, Juneteenth is an important day in history. Learn more at this excellent article online.   Gems for the Journey: Scripture with Practical Meaning by Rev. Veronica M. Thomas MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University ’73; M.Div, Union-PSCE ’07 I came across these practical words of wisdom with scripture backing and wanted to …

Ghana Travel Seminar: Elimina Slave Castle

…slaves to the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbeans. It has stood for some 530 years. Built by the Portuguese, taken by the Dutch, sold to the British, and relinquished to the Ghanaians in 1957 when they gained their independence. There were some three million Africans captured for shipment through Elmina. Of the three million, 1/3 were killed in the forest …

Pierson-Carol Richmond

Congratulations to Alumna Rev. Dr. Angela Sims (Ph.D.’08), Newly Inaugurated President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

…in your life. Places where you can find rest and refuge from the rigors and expectations associated with this wonderful, but challenging role, as seminary president. As I begin my 14th year as president of one of your theological alma maters, Union Presbyterian Seminary, I have learned many valuable lessons. The lesson that remains primary for me is the one …

Employment

Administrative Assistant – Leadership Institute The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary is seeking candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant. The Leadership Institute is committed to equipping and inspiring church, community, and ministry leaders by providing opportunities for continuing education and development. This is a full-time, non-exempt position, located on the Richmond campus. Interested applicants should send letter and …

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

Charlotte & Richmond Campuses We are delighted to announce a new Doctor of Ministry* degree program. It will begin in the fall of 2019 on the Charlotte campus and in the fall of 2020 on the Richmond campus. In our Doctor of Ministry program, students will articulate advanced understanding of the contemporary church and expressions of culture, and relationships between …

Expanding access to healthy food: Shalom Farms at Union

…Union matters! podcast: Perils of peacemaking How to revitalize a church through music and drama One of the largest urban farms in Virginia is sprouting just a cabbage-throw away from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. Shalom Farms is growing food in the heart of the city’s Northside on five acres of the seminary’s Westwood Tract. It’s the second farm for …

New book explores how the Bible was liberation for slaves

…Sadler and Powery explore how the Bible became a source of liberation for enslaved African Americans by analyzing its function in pre-Civil War freedom narratives. They show that through their own engagement with the biblical text, enslaved African Americans found a liberating word. Considering that the Bible was used to justify and perpetuate African American enslavement, the authors ask why …

Gems for your journey

…The blessed invitation, it reaches unto all: ‘Oh, come, and I will heal you; oh, come, I’ll make you free.’ Come to Jesus one and all” (J. R. Jeffrey). “And you will be gathered one by one, O people of Israel.” This truth should make us conscious of the fact that salvation is personal and that our responsibility to God …

Living in Darkness?

…the “least of these”, the key of love will perpetually open up opportunity for success in every area of life for all who have a passion and desire to grow and flourish beyond imposed restrictions (either self-imposed, culturally imposed, racially imposed, economically imposed, et.al). As children of the light, we must affirm that we are free from the power of …

India travel seminar: Spirit of the Sikhs

This is post 5 of 11 in the series “India travel seminar” India travel seminar begins India travel seminar: Religious and cultural diversities India travel seminar: Deep care & kindness India travel seminar: A dream fulfilled India travel seminar: Spirit of the Sikhs India travel seminar: Observing faith formation practices India travel seminar: Andhara Christian Theological College India travel seminar: …

Help New Ministers Preach in Today’s World

…early career preachers in order to develop a program focused around supporting four key areas: preaching and significant social issues, preaching and diverse listeners, preaching and digital technology, and mentoring and feedback for preachers. Additionally, Union will create an invested network of judicatory and denominational leaders, and pastors in multi-staff congregations who champion and care for early career preachers. “In …

What Is Behind and Beyond: “Thank You for Your Service?”

…malaise within our country. While drinking a free Krispy Kreme coffee on Veterans Day, I thought about what our gratitude does. Is our gratitude merely displayed with free coffee, discounted restaurant menu items, and a month of the National Football League wearing “Salute to Service” gear? After two decades sustaining a war effort in two countries, why doesn’t our gratitude …

Chaplain–King’s Grant Retirement Community–Martinsville, VA

The primary responsibilities of the Chaplain are to provide leadership and oversight for overall ministry, deliver pastoral care, worship services, advice and support to residents and their families as well as employees while supporting the mission of the community. Develop strategies to encompass projects and comprehensive programs to carry out the ministry while meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of …