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BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER: May 2023

…continue my responsibilities as Director of the Leadership Institute here at UPSem! I’ll also continue developing my podcasts BaddestChaplain (https://open.spotify.com/show/3vrdwgYjV0cTNKWUGlHhmi?si=2e0d79e1d53945a0) and Cross Streets (https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZWSyb9EdcpbZ8knEp8X90?si=9b52e0ece2f84c9e). I’ll continue speaking to churches, schools, and groups of people that want to learn more about just communities (www.chrisburtonspeaks.com). Lastly, I will continue my work as an ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America.    …

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BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER: February 2024

…13, 1990 to January 15, 1994, one term, as prescribed by Virginia State law and The Honorable Deval L. Patrick served from January 4, 2007 to January 11, 2015, two terms by state law. However, Governor Wilder, who is presently in his mid 90’s, still remains one of the most powerful voices in Virginia politics. On November 8, 2022 a…

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BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER: August 2024

…sit with Dr. Brian Blount and Rev. Alex Evans as they spoke about their upcoming workshop, “Biblical Preaching and Pastoral Leadership for Complicated Times.” The workshop will run from October 7-9 on our Richmond Campus. Speaking of Dr. Blount, have you seen his presidential portrait? I had a chance to speak with the artist responsible for his painting as well…

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The Museum of Israel

…defining moment of my experience of Israel. The breadth and richness of the collections are without parallel. First, we got to see some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, both replicas and originals. Those included a replica of the Isaiah Scroll and the originals of the Thanksgiving Scroll and the Community Rule. As we continued our tour of the museum, we…

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Crossing into Sinai

After a night of much needed rest, some awoke early to the sounds of barking dogs. I enjoyed a morning meditation on the breezy terrace. We had coffee in the lounge and then we went to a buffet-style breakfast that was plentiful and beautifully presented. We had free time after breakfast to go relax and tour the resort. Some went…

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Listening and Learning in Egypt

…that seeks to revitalize impoverished churches in several regions of Egypt. The presentation highlighted the critical role that physical church buildings can play in communal wellbeing and the struggles for Christian community when such buildings languish. By supporting both repair of physical structures and empowerment of local communities, they have witnessed the incredible church growth. This work continues to expand…

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2025 SPRUNT LECTURES

…members including a variety of breakout groups. Live on Stage True First Person Stories on a Theme—an opportunity to share and listen to moving stories from UPSem alumni and friends. Dinners honoring Distinguished Alum Angela Sims, President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester NY, and the Black Alumni Association’s Trailblazer, Brian Blount, President Emeritus of UPSem. Lectures featuring…

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Remember. Together. Apart.

…these 950+ scrolls in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek were uncovered. Here again, we revisit remembering, together and apart: the Qumran community, a proto-monastic community of scribes, left their families to live set apart as the “Sons of Light”. The Qumran communities is well-known for their archive that contained biblical, apocryphal, and communal texts. As the Roman army approached, the Qumran…

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Complex Narratives of the Land

…mission sum up their commitments: in order for Palestinians to have life and have it abundantly, they educate “the next generations of creative leaders.” This encounter inspired group members to learn more about the dynamics that could make peace and justice for Jews and Palestinians feasible. Our last day of the trip was emotionally and spiritually intense as we moved…

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Thank You, Rev. Dr. Ken McFayden: A Legacy of Integrating Leadership in Pastoral Formation

Richmond, VA (March 12, 2025)—Union Presbyterian Seminary announces the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. McFayden, vice president of academic affairs, academic dean, and professor of practical theology, at the end of this academic year. Over his 25-year tenure on UPSem’s faculty, McFayden has substantially impacted the Seminary’s academic and theological community for generations. “Ken McFayden’s impact has been…

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Into Israel

After a taxing but fulfilling hike yesterday, we awoke from a deep sleep for breakfast—a sore, yet bittersweet meal. Bahgat, our Egyptian tour guide, greeted us with his traditional greeting “Habibi” (friends) and lamented that it was the last time we would share that together. We then continued eating and reflected on all that we experienced in Egypt. I, especially,…

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Union Presbyterian Seminary to Inaugurate Rev. Dr. Rebecca L. Davis as Sarah Belk Gambrell Professor of Christian Education

…at the Seminary, she was Director of Christian Education at Enslow Park Presbyterian in Huntington, WV, Associate Pastor at Central Presbyterian in Mobile, AL, Pastor of First Presbyterian in Monahans, TX and Executive Director of its child development center, Associate General Presbyter in Peace River Presbytery in Florida and Associate Pastor at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. One of…

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Gay Dawn Mothershed Dies at 85

…Presbytery (200+ churches in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro-plex area.) She retired in 2012 as Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of West Virginia in Charleston before moving to Givens Highland Farms. In 1996 Gay was elected Vice-Moderator of the 208th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), a role in which she served the church actively and tirelessly with Moderator John…

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Islamic Studies Scholar to Lead Dawe Lecture on March 14 at Union Presbyterian Seminary

…interfaith dialogue, this lecture series seeks to contribute a deepened awareness and insight in areas of intellectual and especially practical religious concern. Please register online to attend the free Dawe Lecture at https://bit.ly/24Dawe or tune into the livestream on the Seminary’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@UPSem/streams # # # Contact: Barb Dodd Director of Communications Union Presbyterian Seminary (804) 278-4279 bdodd@upsem.edu…

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Visiting The Pyramids

…perspective into some of the commitments of justice and compassion that the ancient Egyptians held towards other human beings and towards non-human beings. See, I am come before you, I have brought What is Right to you, I have removed What is Wrong for you. I have not impoverished the divine herd (people); I have committed no crime in place…

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Duc in Altum

Today we visited the Mount of Beatitudes, then walked down a short trail toward the sea of Galilee. We visited the Primacy of Peter, a church built to commemorate the spot where Jesus fed the disciples a breakfast of fish and bread as well as instructed Peter “feed my sheep.” Near the base of the church, we were able to…

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Rev. Dr. Karen-Marie Yust Elected President of the Religious Education Association

…globe. “I am delighted that Rev. Dr. Yust is being honored by her peers in this way and appreciate her willingness to serve in an area so critical to the life of religious communities. She wonderfully exemplifies the commitment to excellence in religious education that has characterized Union Presbyterian Seminary for over a century,” said Union Presbyterian Seminary’s President Dr….

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UPSem Receives $1.25 Million Lilly Endowment Grant Supporting Font & Faith

…https://cece.upsem.edu “Lilly Endowment’s support, for which Union Presbyterian Seminary is deeply thankful, will help the Center for Excellence in Christian Education strengthen faith communities for children of diverse religious traditions,” said Union Presbyterian Seminary’s President Jacq Lapsley. “We’re excited about the three phases planned over the next five years. We will engage children, parents, and grandparents as they nurture faith…

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Inaugural Symposium Celebrates Center for Excellence in Christian Education at UPSem’s Charlotte Campus

…to join Rev. Gail Henderson-Belsito of Caldwell Presbyterian Church at UPSem’s Charlotte campus at noon. After worship and a welcome lunch, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Caldwell will give a keynote address at 2:00 p.m. followed by Q & A. Emerging leader presentations will follow, with the afternoon wrapping up by 5:30 p.m. With more than 30 years of experience focusing…

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Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty Named Professor of Theology and Ethics

Richmond, VA (May 23, 2023)—An accomplished author, scholar, and gifted teacher, Union Presbyterian Seminary is excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty as the newest faculty member in Theology and Ethics. Dr. Hinson-Hasty is a B.A. graduate of William Jewell College and an M.Div. graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She received her Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian…

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Bridge for Early Career Preachers to Expand

Richmond, VA (November 3, 2023)—Union Presbyterian Seminary recently received a grant of $249,920 from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to expand The Bridge for Early Career Preachers. The program was developed with the support of an earlier grant from Lilly Endowment made through its Compelling Preaching Initiative. The Bridge for Early Career Preachers provides resources, continuing education, and a supportive community…

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