Menefee Gau finds relatable story in “Loving” role

…and a movie she was proud to be a part of. She played the secretary to a Constitutional law professor at Georgetown University named Chester Antieau. In her scene, the lawyer who represents the Lovings meets with Antieau and another Constitutional lawyer and the three of them come up with the strategy that will ultimately bring victory. This was a…

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Student calls for action following Charlotte police shooting

…peace only as a faraway dream; we long for it in our lives, in the lives of our families, our friends, and in the city of Charlotte. But with each passing day the prospect for peace seems to be increasingly tantalizing. Restlessness seems to be the order of our present existence: our inner restlessness rooted in various anxieties, our societal…

Visiting the Akrofi-Christaller Institute (ACI)

…first Presbyterian church in Ghana, founded in 1835. This landmark serves as a testament to the long-standing presence of Christianity in the country. We also explored parts of a local chief’s palace and ceremony space, both of which hold sacred significance for those seeking communion with the divine. The integration of traditional culture and Christianity among Ghanaian Christians is a…

Black Lives Matter!

William R. Freeman (M.Div.‘01) While turning the pages of the Friday, February 9, 2018, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch my eyes lit up as I read an article reprinted on page A-3 from The Washington Post—“Study: U.S. students deeply ignorant of slavery history.”   Below is 90 percent of that article: “Consider this from a new report on how U.S….

Introducing Our New Students

…part because our alum, the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Davis, was his advisor and talked up the wonderful professors and in part because he was drawn to the city of Richmond. He is the new moderator of the Black Caucus and appreciates the community that is built on campus. Devinn Smart is also a member of First Baptist Church, Hampton, where…

Experiencing Collective Joy in Serving the Lord

By Helen Bessent Byrd (M.Div.’07) Contemporary twenty-first century living tends to fill our lives with many challenges. The more conveniences that are available to us the more of them we seem to desire. All too often the scramble for balance of parenting, work, and leisure often squeezes out our major source for joie de vivre, joy of life. The source…

Gems for your journey

…to God, not collectively, but as individuals; Saul attempted to blame the people for his transgressions, but that did not work (1 Samuel 15:20-21) The gospel of the salvation of the individual is paramount in the bible. Jesus Christ did not die for society, but for persons — individuals. He called the disciples one by one. Jesus, knowing human nature,…

Started UPSem 2020: Sedae Slaughter (pursuing MACE)

…MACE) The following is part of a series of 20 profiles that represent each year that Charlotte has been enrolling students. Special Needs Teaching Assistant Harding High School Charlotte, North Carolina Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sedae Slaughter traded the city for brotherly love for the Queen City, moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2008. Having graduated from Independence University, Slaughter…

Hurricane Harvey: A small picture of how horrible it is

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, members of the Union community in Texas reflect on the devastation and human suffering left by one of the most destructive storms in modern history and how their congregations are helping with recovery efforts. Alumna Jacqueline M. Hannan is the senior pastor of Atascocita Presbyterian Church in Humble, Texas, which is 20 miles north…

An elementary school education’s impact

By Willie Woodson (M.A.’84 / D.Min.’08) The aim of this article is to present a statement regarding the value of elementary education on the ongoing educational career of a student; particularly a black student from a neighborhood of rich cultural standards. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote an article in the Morehouse College newspaper “The Maroon Tiger” in which…

President Brian K. Blount: Violence has brought us here

As we collectively peer, yet again, into the abyss that is hatred for those who are different, I confess that I am cast into a weary and almost reclusive silence. I know that my words are insufficient to express the pain of those who are similarly wearied. They are certainly insufficient to express the horror we all feel for those…

Charlotte Campus 20th Anniversary

…leadership through the creation of an endowment to fund a new administrative vice president over the Charlotte campus. This new structure will free up a professor to teach full-time in the classroom while, also, providing a strong public face and dedicated leadership over the Charlotte campus. GIVE NOW Ways to give include: Multiyear Pledges – payable over up to a…

Yaupon Place: A Call To Action

…taught us how to awaken community spirit and invigorate faith. Emily Nyce A recent graduate of Union, Emily Nyce (MDiv’20) has been shepherding the vision for this program over the past two years. Complementing her theological education at Union, Emily’s years at Eastern Mennonite University and her recent certification from The Hearth in community storytelling have especially equipped her for…

Thanks for coming to Sprunt Lectures!

…the environment, and social justice. Dr. John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation, Yale Divinity School, delivered the four Sprunt Lectures on the theme, “What Are Biblical Values?” Preaching in worship was Dr. Lance Watson (M.A.’86), of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond. The Rev. Anna George Traynham (M.Div.’14), of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, was…

Middle East Travel Seminar: Diverse cultural perspectives in Roman-era Zippori

…hub of economic, religious, and cultural prosperity during the formative young years of Jesus’ life. Many assume that Jesus and his family would have traveled to Zippori for commerce or even work. While we may never know for certain, what we have come to find on this trip time after time, is that the Roman occupation loomed large in Palestine…

Congregational Corner: God’s Good Time

…was reminded of that this past weekend. A wonderful member of my congregation is known for offering comfort in times of stress and uncertainty by saying, “All in God’s good time.” Indeed. All in God’s good time. Well into a new year, many of us are faced with new challenges. Budgets are being finalized while many are considering upcoming transitions….

Heather Woodworth Brannon advocates for housing justice in Richmond

…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 Student Spotlight BY MOLLIE TRAINUM During her first year of seminary, Union Presbyterian Seminary student Heather Woodworth Brannon volunteered…

Worship, Ecology, and Community Revisited

…form the theological vocabulary, imagination, and action of participants—especially the ways in which liturgy supports engagement in caring for creation? This question drives Paul Galbreath, Union Presbyterian Seminary Professor of Theology, in his new research funded by a grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. The result of conversations and teaching conducted with six congregations nearly a decade ago,…

About Giving: Attitude is Everything

…surprise. Nor do we believe that we can purchase redemption by paying a penance. Such practice is neither doctrinal nor acceptable. Did you ever receive a gift from someone who you knew was not happy to give the gift? How did you feel? Did you accept it? The attitude a believer displays in giving a gift is very significant. The…

Ghana Travel Seminar: Hospitality and kindness

…home for boys who do not have a parental presence or participation in their home — and met the kids, I felt as though I wanted to also show my joy in being there with them. That led us to play and interact with them. Union student Joaquin Ross plays with some of the children at Nenyo Harboror.   Joaquin…

Ghana Travel Seminar: The ties that bind

…continents and despite the distance that may be created by language and culture, we are bound together in our dedication to use our gifts and talents, our imagination, and our creativity— whether in scholarship, in pastoral care, or in community organizing to work for God’s Kingdom and God’s people. We are united in our commitment to bring more peace, more…