Former trustee Bill Gravitt dies

Former Union Theological Seminary (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) trustee William Dean “Bill” Gravitt, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2021, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. OBITUARY…

William Klein, former trustee, dies

RICHMOND, VA (March 1, 2021) – The Rev. Dr. William R. Klein (’54) alumnus and trustee (UTS 1980-1989 and Union-PSCE 1994-1998), passed away February 26. He was 91. Klein died peacefully at his home in Roanoke, Virginia. The story of his life was one shaped by the light of the gospel … a story through which he helped many people…

Alumnus, longtime Presbyterian minister J. Harold McKeithen dies

RICHMOND, Va. (January 31, 2019) – Union Presbyterian Seminary has sadly learned of the passing of the Rev. J. Harold McKeithen, a UTS alumnus (B.D. ’59) at his home in Williamsburg on January 27, after a recent illness. He had served on the pastoral staff of Williamsburg Presbyterian for 14 years. Previously, he was the pastor and head of staff…

Wilmer Terry Young, former trustee, dies

RICHMOND, VA (February 15, 2021) – Wilmer Terry Young, 90, passed away February 3, 2021, in Vero Beach, Florida. He formerly served on the boards of Union Theological Seminary (1986-1997) and Union-Presbyterian School of Christian Education (1997), now Union Presbyterian Seminary. OBITUARY…

Gems for the Journey: A Gift

…shall by any means hurt you [Luke 10:19 KJV]), a spirit of love (God’s love that never fails [I Cor. 13:8a NRSV]), and a spirit of a sound mind or self-discipline and a mind in you which was in Christ Jesus, a mindset to be humble [Phil 2:5a NRSV]). I am reminded that in Isaiah 41:10 the God of Israel…

A Prayer of God’s protection, deliverance, and safety

…no evil shall be able to fall upon or touch us, and no sickness or disease can come upon us, or even come near our home or our families. We thank You Father for commanding Your angels to watch over us and protect us wherever we go. They are encamped in a hedge of protection around us. They shall preserve…

6 things about Andy Spaulding’s summer break

…the Ministry Team, along with two other seminarians. My summer has primarily revolved around three primary requirements: planning and participating in worship on Sundays in Anderson Auditorium, planning and leading devotionals with kids in grades K-12, and finally serving as a quasi-college minister to the rest of Summer Staff focusing on building an intentional community. RR: How does this summer’s…

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…

Started UPSem 2003: Rev. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (MDiv 2008)

…justice, and hope. Learning to think in a much more critical way was a tremendous gift from the seminary.” After graduation, Garmon-Brown completed a pastoral residency training at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, eventually becoming one of the congregation’s associate pastors. Still working as a physician and a community advocate for improving access to good healthcare for all segments of…

UPSem board of trustees elects new leadership

…the larger PCUSA community of seminary presidents and board chairs, said UPSem’s President Brian K. Blount. “Rikard will be greatly missed. And yet, Union’s bench is deep. Alex Evans and Ed Roberson bring with them the complete confidence of the board. They both have years of leadership experience in the church and on the board. As president, I could not…

Master of Divinity

Students come to seminary for the M.Div. degree program in search of knowledge, skills for ministry, and a profound experience in community of the gospel’s liberating power. Graduates of the Master of Divinity program serve in various capacities and ministerial settings: churches, camps, hospitals, schools, non-profit organizations, conference centers, and ecclesial governing bodies. UPSem has a placement rate of 92%…

Griots’ Dialogical Roots of Faith

By Patricia Turner-Olds (M.A.C.E.’05) Faith comes by hearing… The history of many African ethnic groups is chronicled through the medium of oral traditions. In most areas of West Africa the history is kept by a “griot.” Griots are members of a class of storytellers, musicians, and poets who orally use their gifts as a teaching methodology that identifies and reveals…

Started UPSem 2009: Rev. British Hyrams (MDiv/MACE 2016)

…profile, commitments, accessibility, and format made her exploration of a call to ministry move from an idea to a real possibility. Speculating on what makes UPSem Charlotte a special place, she concludes that it comes down to one word: Accessibility. “The course delivery format gives working adults access to a quality graduate program,” she said. “The financial support and cost…

Central America Travel Seminar: Our last morning in Guatemala

…gifts were offered in a ceremonial fire. Prayers of gratitude and hope, prayers for courage and strength, and prayers asking for forgiveness and healing were offered over that fire. It was moving and beautiful, haunting and also unexpectedly familiar. It was a comforting end to a day that didn’t always feel comfortable. We began our day yesterday with the sad…

Student Formation and Community Life Manager ( COM 2022)

Finding Our Genuine Voice

…with this in my own life as I discern the best way to respond to events in our world and in my community. Should I write a Facebook post, or not post at all? Should I address it directly or indirectly in my lessons and sermons? Should I say anything at all or just keep quiet and listen? Surrounded by…

Ghana Travel Seminar: Touching the lives of children and teenagers

…enrolled from all over Ghana and from different denominations. One thousand seven hundred of these girls live at the school and 300 commute daily. The school’s curriculum includes science, at, Home economics, business, computer science, worship, and various sports. Classrooms accommodate 55 to 70 students daily. In addition to their studies and extracurricular activities, the girls receive positive reinforcement, assuring…

Reformation Tour: Luther the disrupter

…for parallels between events in history and goings-on in today’s world. When I think of Martin Luther, the word “disrupter” comes to mind. An attempt to explain follows. The internet has drastically changed our lives. It is a technology that, coupled with cellular mobile devices, has facilitated changes in how we communicate, shop, get our news, entertain ourselves, and learn….

An elementary school education’s impact

…he said “We must remember that intelligence is not enough — intelligence plus character — that’s the goal of true education.” A complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. “The broad education will therefore, transmit to one not only the accumulated knowledge of the race, but also the accumulated experience of…

Position Open for Office and Communications Assitant, Holy Comforter Richmond

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…

Let them be heard

…is by no means a complete list of ideas, but I see it as my own starting point and offer it to you as each of us wonders where to begin. Don’t just talk to them – listen. Our children want to talk, and I am seeing that more and more each week as I listen to the conversations my…