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

…met with compassion and reason. Importantly, the flexibility of classes allowed me to honor my home and work commitments.” Luckhoo values the open and welcoming atmosphere of the campus and the ecumenical environment, particularly the idea that regardless of denominational or cultural background all are encouraged to engage and explore. The seminary, while affiliated with the PC(USA), has nearly 180…

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Black Lives Matter!

…of Mr. Robinson. We were not taught about the work of Dr. Charles R. Drew, who in 1942 invented the Apparatus for Preserving Blood as blood plasma which saved many lives in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and Iraq. Due to other omissions from history textbooks we were not made aware of the accomplishments of the lady “Computers” (Katherine Johnson, Mary…

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Ghana Travel Seminar: May Day

…congregation at Grace Presbyterian Church for the last hour of their four prayer service celebrating this occasion. The service started at 4:00 a.m. We joined them at 7:00 a.m. and it was a packed house! Director of the Syngman Rhee Global Mission Center for Christian Education and Assistant Professor of World Christianity James Taneti (at right in pulpit) speaking at…

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Worship during Virtual Sprunt Lectures

In our time of worship during the annual Sprunt Lectures, held this year on Zoom May 5, sacred visual artist, Hannah Garrity presented this image for meditation, entitled “Brokenness of Fear.” Artist’s Statement: In this image, I imagine the moment a bowl of embalming spices was dropped when fear first struck Mary at the tomb. Drawn from images of period…

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Molly Smerko: What is saving your life today?

This is post 1 of 5 in the series “Devotionals 2020” Molly Smerko: What is saving your life today? Stuart Seelman: Isolation, Bonhoeffer, and Julian of Norwich Mairi Renwick: Hear, O Israel Susan Blanchard: God is present Crystal Sygeel: God is more than present Welcome to the Union Presbyterian Seminary Devotional Blog. Here you will find short devotions created by…

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Muslim refugee history to be discussed amid global immigration debate

…of faith in the current debate on immigration. Union Presbyterian Seminary’s annual Dawe Lecture series promotes ethical and religious understanding. It pays tribute to Dr. Donald and Mrs. Nancy Dawe and is funded through The Donald and Nancy Dawe Fund for Emotional and Ethical Growth. Dr. Dawe was professor emeritus of Union Presbyterian Seminary until his death in 2012.  …

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Ghana Travel Seminar: Reuniting with alumni

…Ghana Travel Seminar: Singing without words Ghana Travel Seminar: Handcrafts with personality and stories Ghana Travel Seminar: Touching the lives of children and teenagers Ghana Travel Seminar: Hospitality and kindness Ghana Travel Seminar: Love and anger are the key BY DR. FRANCES TAYLOR GENCH Union Presbyterian Seminary has a significant alumni presence in Ghana — and one of the joys…

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Student calls for new normal after fatal police shooting in Charlotte

…been ignored and hushed. Normal is my blindness to my white privilege and majority. No, I do not want normal. I want a NEW Charlotte – one that is just for all.   B. Mitchell is a Master of Divinity student at the Charlotte campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary and a first-grade teacher at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary in south Charlotte….

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New Testament professor retraces steps of first disciples

  by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service Over two mornings at the 2016 ARMSS/POAMN conference—a national event jointly sponsored by the Association of Retired Ministers, Their Spouses or Survivors (ARMSS) and the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN)—the Rev. Dr. John T. Carroll shared his wisdom in a comprehensive, two-part keynote address with broad implications for his audience…

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Stuart Seelman: Isolation, Bonhoeffer, and Julian of Norwich

This is post 2 of 5 in the series “Devotionals 2020” Molly Smerko: What is saving your life today? Stuart Seelman: Isolation, Bonhoeffer, and Julian of Norwich Mairi Renwick: Hear, O Israel Susan Blanchard: God is present Crystal Sygeel: God is more than present Welcome to the Union Presbyterian Seminary Devotional Blog. Here you will find short devotions created by…

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Started UPSem 2012: Rev. Dr. Doug Harr (MDiv 2018)

…a challenging and wonderful opportunity to learn and grow in your faith, knowledge, and love for God and others.” Regularly engaged in the community encircling his church in New Bern, Harr remains involved in many community services. Looking to expand his call into more work in clinical pastoral care, he currently serves a congregation and works as a clinical chaplain….

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Union hosting authors of “Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs From Jail”

Union Presbyterian Seminary’s William Smith Morton Library will host a series of readings by the authors of “Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs From Jail,” a 2015 memoir of Dr. David Coogan‘s experience teaching 10 men to write their ways to freedom, beginning at the Richmond City Jail in 2006. The readings will take place April 4 at 7 p.m., 3406…

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Dorothee Tripodi called to Union Seminary faculty

…Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary. After working on the staff as an adjunct professor at Union, the seminary’s board of trustees appointed her to a full-time faculty position effective July 1. “Dr. Tripodi is well known to the seminary community,” President Brian K. Blount said. “Union is indeed fortunate to now have her on the faculty…

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Inhale

…us through challenges, seen and unseen, we are engulfed by the sweet aroma and Holy presence of knowledge that I personally pray for each and every day. Without knowledge, we lack the capacity to move through the world seeking to know more about Creator God and lack the desire to know and relate to God’s crown of creation, fellow human…

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Congregational Corner: Time to Slow Down

…drank enough coffee and smiled through the yawns, I could make it. As I slowly slipped into the comfort of my “shell” while spending time with friends early in the weekend, I realized just how much that decompression and rest were needed. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at my upcoming week and I wondered how I would make…

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What Are You Offering?

…the one who gives so much more. We are quickly approaching the common time for stewardship campaigns. Some will talk about planting seeds or 20/20 vision. Others will come up with other creative ways to help congregations think about giving money (oh, and time and talents, right?). However you approach it, I encourage every congregation to think not just about…

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2024 Graduate Study Fellowships Announced

Richmond, VA (Feb. 5, 2024)—Graduate study fellowships are awarded for further study and professional development. Through these awards, the faculty of Union Presbyterian Seminary recognizes outstanding academic work by students who also show exceptional promise for effectiveness in ministry. The Patrick H. and Mary P. Carmichael Fellowship This award is given to a student completing the M.A.C.E. degree at Union…

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Alphonso Saville Named Assistant Professor of American Religious History and Mission

…include legacies of slavery in American religion, African American Christianity, and religions and literature of the African diaspora, Saville is known for his work in local communities, especially in youth development. He will begin his work with UPSem on July 1 on the Charlotte campus. # # # Contact: Barb Dodd Director of Communications Union Presbyterian Seminary (804) 278-4279 bdodd@upsem.edu…

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Free Public Lecture to be led by Director of Syngman Rhee Global Mission Center on March 25

…Center for Christian Education and Assistant Professor of World Christianity at Union Presbyterian Seminary. The 2019 Dawe Lecture will take place on March 25 from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in Watts Chapel on the Richmond campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary. The event is free and open to the public. ### Contact: Mike Frontiero Director of Communications Union Presbyterian Seminary mfrontiero@upsem.edu…

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Willie Jennings and Jill Duffield headline Sprunt Lectures

…by the Englewood Review of Books. Alumna Jill Duffield, editor and publisher of “The Presbyterian Outlook,” will be the preacher in worship for the three-day event. The seminary will be honoring Alumnus One Ho Park (Ed.D.’89), president of the Graduate School of Practical Theology in Seoul, Korea, as the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus, and Alumna Karen Brown (M.Div.’92), pastoral associate at…

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2022 Graduate Study Fellowships Announced

RICHMOND, VA (January 31, 2022) – Graduate study fellowships are awarded for further study and professional development. Through these awards, the faculty of Union Presbyterian Seminary recognizes outstanding academic work by students who also show exceptional promise for effectiveness in ministry. Walter W. Moore Fellowship This award was established by the Seminary in honor of its first President, who made…

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Choral Evensong Highlights Seminary Choir and Pipe Organ on April 13

…event is made possible through a grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship for the purpose of showcasing the beautiful new Watts Chapel instrument. Union Presbyterian Seminary is grateful to the many generous donors who helped fund the first pipe organ custom designed and built for Watts Chapel. # # # Barb Dodd, Director of Communications bdodd@upsem.edu 804.278.4279 direct…

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