Grace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Among our goals as your alumni team for UPSem is to help connect our generations of graduates. We want you to connect with all the news and events that Union Presbyterian Seminary has to offer in your life and vocation. We hope, also, that you may find a place here to connect with others…your seminary and PSCE classmates and friends…current and former faculty members …current students and members of the seminary communities in Charlotte and Richmond.
We hope this will be a webpage that you may visit often, not only for news and updates of the seminary, but to share the news of your life and ministry with us.Come here to learn more about seminary and alumni gatherings on our two campuses and perhaps in your area. Discover ways that you may support the seminary in its mission to educate and prepare women and men for ministry in a variety of places.
Let us hear from you and share with you the news of how we live and serve together by grace through faith! We hope you will enjoy what you find here and also share your news with us!
Dr. Brian Blount speaks at UPSem Breakfast at SBL-AAR Annual Meeting in San Diego.
UPSem Breakfast at SBL-AAR Annual Meeting in San Diego!
Ten UPSem alums and spouses gathered in the home of Dean (B.D.'69, Th.M.'70, Ph.D.'74) and Rebecca Thompson, in Monte Vista Grove Homes, Pasadena, CA, on November 23, 2019.
Attending the reception are (left to right): James Lee (Ph.D.'12), Dean Thompson (B.D.'70, Th.M.'71, Ph.D.'74), Charlene Jin (Ph.D.'07) and Rebecca Thompson.
Huw (Th.M.'71) and Rachel (M.A.'72) Christopher co-host a morning reception for alums and spouses in Monte Vista Grove Homes, Pasadena, CA, November 23, 2019.
Rocky Mountaineer PSCE Reunion Tour
UTS Entering Class of 1979 Reunion
UTS Entering Class of 1979 Reunion
UTS Entering Class of 1979 Reunion
UTS Entering Class of 1979 Reunion
UTS Entering Class of 1979 Reunion
UTS Entering Class of 1979 Reunion
Greetings from seminary alumni and friends gathered on July 25, 2019 at Massanetta!
35 alumni and friends gathered for the annual UPSem luncheon held at Massanetta.
Dr. John Carroll was the Bible study leader each morning for the 2019 Massanetta Bible Conference.
Heather Woodworth Brannon (M.Div. ‘19) was the recent UPSem graduate invited to preach for the 2019 Massanetta Bible Conference, in Hudson Auditorium.
Dr. John Carroll chats with recent alums at the seminary luncheon.
Alumni and friends of UPSem gather for the luncheon in Grant Dining Room, Massanetta.
UPSem luncheon held at Massanetta on July 25, 2019.
Dr. Will Willimon, Professor at Duke Divinity School and a bishop in the United Methodist Church, stops by to greet Brian and Sharon Blount after the luncheon concluded.
30 alumni and friends attended the UPSem Luncheon, June 21, 2019, during the United Methodist Virginia Annual Conference in Roanoke
The Rev. Dr. Paul Baker (M.Div.’12) offers the benediction as the seminary luncheon concludes at the Blue Ridge Hotel and Conference Center in Roanoke, June 21st.
Dr. Brian Blount addresses the seminary alumni luncheon at the UMC Virginia Annual Conference on “Resurrection and the Walking Dead”.
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
Cookout at Sprunt Lectures 2019
UTS Class of 1969 - 50th reunion - 05.07.19
Dr. Lance Watson (M.A.'86) was the preacher for the 2019 Sprunt Lectures, May 7-8, 2019.
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? May 6-8, 2019.
Dr. Dean Thompson, center (B.D.'69, Th.M.'70, Ph.D.'74) was recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus, shown here with his wife, Rebecca Thompson, and UPSem president, Dr. Brian K. Blount, 05.07.19.
Dr. Lewis Galloway (D.Min.'77, Th.M.'79) addresses the Alumni Luncheon, 05.07.19 at Sprunt Lectures.
Members of the UPSem Black Alumni Association - at Sprunt Lectures - 05.07.19
The annual Alumni Luncheon at Sprunt Lectures was held in the James Holderness Dining Room, Richmond Hall, May 7, 2019.
The Rev. Willie Thompson (B.D.'61) attended his 61st consecutive Sprunt Lectures, May 6-8, 2019.
Morning worship in Watts Chapel, during the Sprunt Lectures, 05.07.19.
Dr. J.A. Ross MacKenzie, former UTS professor of Church History, is greeted by alumnus, Dr. Charles Raynal (B.D.'69) in Watts Chapel prior to the morning lecture, 05.07.19.
The 2019 Sprunt Lectures were held May 6, 7, & 8, 2019 in Watts Chapel, UPSem campus in Richmond.
The Rev. Anna George Traynham (M.Div. '14) served as worship leader during the Sprunt Lectures, May 7-8, 2019.
Jeff Kellam, center (M.Div.'69) at the Alumni Luncheon, with Jim Rissmiller, left (M.Div.'69) and Judy Sutherland, right (M.Div.'70).
Dr. Harry Simmons, center (M.A.'84) was named the 2019 BAA Trailblazer of the Year, shown here with the Rev. Delano Douglas, left (M.Div.'04, Th.M.'11), president of the BAA, and Dr. Brian K. Blount, president of UPSem, 05.07.19.
UPSem-Charlotte professor, Dr. Rodney Sadler (2nd from left) moderated the “Faith and Politics” conversation on Sunday afternoon, March 17 at Caldwell Presbyterian in Charlotte.
Prior to the “Just Jesus - Faith and Politics” conversation on March 17 at Caldwell Presbyterian in Charlotte some of our UPSem alumni gathered for a reception.
Dean Richard Boyce speaks with UPSem alums at a gathering in Charlotte, March 17, at Caldwell Presbyterian Church.
Alumni Notes
Christopher M. Tweel (M.Div. ’14) has been called as Pastor-Head of Staff at Three Chopt Presbyterian Church, Richmond VA, January 6, 2020.
Perry Neel (M.Div. ’82) will be retiring as adjunct instructor in Philosophy, Ethics, Humanities, and Religion at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in May 2020, after 20 years.
William “Will” E. Robinson (Ph.D. ’15) is Pastor – Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC.
Matthew White(M.Div. ’18) has accepted a one- year position as a lay preacher and newcomer consultant at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Patrick Ryan(M.Div./M.A.C.E. ’04) has been called as pastor of Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in Fishersville, VA.
Rev. T. Feild Russell has retired as pastor for the Banner Elk (NC) Presbyterian Church.
Miriam Foltz (M.Div., ’14) completed her call with UKirk-St Louis this summer and began a new call as pastor of New Castle Presbyterian Church in Delaware.
Elnoria Lofton Harrison is pastor of Squires Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia and serves on the presbytery’s nominating committee.
Charlotte Elia (’09) has been called as pastor to Holmes Presbyterian Church, Cape Charles, VA, effective July 1st.
Archana Samuel (Th.M’16, M.A.C.E.’18) is the new Director of Children’s Ministries for Three Chopt Presbyterian Church, Richmond.
Owen Gray (’17) began ministry as Associate Pastor at Saint Barnabas PC in Richardson, TX.
Lana Heath de Martinez (’16) has launched a new Immigrant Defense and Bail Fund with community activists, organizers, and clergy. Santos En Virginia is here #ToSetTheCaptivesFree. This is a triage service doing the most basic work of liberating humans from cages. Find out more at thesantos.org and //Facebook.com/SantosEnVirginia
Megan Arbarite (’13) began serving as the pastor of Amity Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC in July.
Robert Griffin (D.Min. ’03) was hired as the Regional Brand Manager for LegrandAV managing sales for Vaddio, Luxul and Cables 2 Go throughout the Mid-Atlantic territory.
Eileen B. Best (M.A. ’84) retired in May as Connections Coordinator, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Portage, MI, Presbytery of Lake Michigan and Synod of the Covenant.
John M. Best (D.Min. ’84) moved from General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan to temporary pastor of Pine Island Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI
Mary Ellen Vernon (M.A. ’95) has been called to serve as the Director of Discipleship for Youth and Adults at Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst, NC
Ronnie A. Hankins, Sr. (M.Div. ’99) is serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Odessa, TX
Louis A. Florio, Jr. (M.Div. ’05) is serving as associate pastor for Community Engagement, Christian Formation & Pastoral Care at Christ Lutheran (ELCA) in Fredericksburg, VA. He was recently appointed Chaplain of the City of Fredericksburg Police Department
Jenny Day (M.Div. ’06) has accepted a call as pastor of Dayton United Methodist Church in Dayton, VA
Katie Barrett Todd (M.Div. ’11) is serving as transitional pastor at Stony Creek PC in Burlington, NC & as the church leadership connection associate for the Office of the General Assembly
Mason M. Todd (M.Div. ’11) is serving as transitional pastor at Stony Creek PC in Burlington, NC & as the church leadership connection associate for the Office of the General Assembly
Caitlin Hahn (D.D. ’19) is serving as Director of Youth, Young Adults & Community Engagement at Bon Air United Methodist Church in Richmond, VA
Ashlee (4th year M.Div./M.A.C.E. UPSem-Charlotte) and Michael Anderson celebrate the birth of their son Hayes, born June 14, 2019.
Emily B. Hook (M.Div. ’17) was installed by The Presbytery of Arkansas, Sunday, November 17, 2019, as pastor of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Forrest City, Arkansas.
Lyndsey McCall (M.Div. ’11) married Dominique Gilliam, November 3, 2019, in Watts Chapel, Richmond campus.
James ‘Jay’ Morgan (3rd year M.Div., Richmond) married Rebecca Smyth, October 19, 2019, in Watts Chapel, Richmond campus.
The Rev. Owen J. Gray (M.Div.’17) was installed by Grace Presbytery, Sunday, October 27, 2019, as associate pastor of the St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, Richardson, Texas.
Thomas Wesley “T. Wes” Moore, IV (M.Div. ’18)was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, March 30, 2019, by Coastal Carolina Presbytery, at the Pollocksville (NC) Presbyterian Church, where he currently serves as pastor.
Lauren E. Voyles (M.Div. ’17)and Thomas Wesley Moore(M.Div. ’18) were married on March 16, 2019 in Watts Chapel, Richmond campus.
Rebecca “Becca” Cummings (M.Div. ’17) married Richard Meister on December 27, 2018.
Melissa Miller(M.Div. ’17) married Chris Hayley on October 19, 2019.
Candice “Candy” Wagner White(M.Div. ’19) has been ordained as Minister of the Word and Sacrament by New Hope Presbytery, September 15, 2019. She serves as the pastor of Warrenton (NC) Presbyterian Church.
Andy Spaulding (M.Div. ’19) has accepted a call to serve as the Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry at the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, AL
Linda Kurtz (M.Div., M.A.C.E. ‘19) has been ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, 09.22.19, by National Capital Presbytery. Linda is the Associate Pastor of Christian Formation with First Presbyterian, Lexington , KY.
Stan Farthing (’96) recently celebrated 15 years of serving the Zetta church, Churchville, VA. The congregation celebrated with pie, after worship, and nobody complained about spoiling their lunch!
Kristin Wickersham (M.Div. ’18) was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests by the Rt. Rev Susan E. Goff, Bishop Suffragan of Virginia on September 7, 2019, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Goochland,Virginia. Kristin serves as rector of the St. Peter’s Parish Church-Episcopal in New Kent County, Virginia.
Matthew White (’18) completed his CPE residency at VCU and earned a Master of Science in Patient Counseling. He has also officially been licensed as a lay preacher in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.
William Upchurch (UPSem-Charlotte student) and his wife Erin, celebrate the birth of son William, born April 12, 2019.
Elizabeth (M.C.E. ’69) and Yugo Suzuki (Th.M. ’66, Th.D. ’71) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May.
Elizabeth Lovell Milford (M.Div./M.A.C.E. ’09) along with husband Matt and son Nathan, celebrate the birth of Andrew Norman Milford on October 2, 2018.
Andy Blackwelder (M.A.C.E. ’11, M.Div. ’18) was ordained into the ministry of the word and sacrament and installed as associate pastor for youth & children at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, TN.
Jerry C. McCann, Sr. (B.D. ’52) December 10, 2019
Winfield R. “Casey” Jones, Jr. (D.Min. ’79) June 9, 2019
Charles S. McChesney (B.D. ’49) December 11, 2019
Robert L. Yoder (M.Div. ’72) November 12, 2019
Jessica B. Reveley [spouse of Nelson Reveley (M.Div. ’10, Th.M. ’11)] November 25, 2019
J. Gary Campbell (M.Div.’59) June 24, 2019
James K. “Jim” Wilson (UTS & PSCE alumnus, M.Div.’59, M.C.E.’60, D.Min.’81) November 8, 2019
Elizabeth Hallett Jones Worrell (PSCE alumna, B.C.E. ‘66) October 30, 2019
John D. Turner (B.D. ’65) October 26, 2019
Edwin W. Stock, Jr. (M.Div. ’62) November 2, 2019
Angus W. McGregor (M.Div. ’64) October 28, 2019
Katherine Little (M.R.E. ’58) November 9, 2018
Bruce C. Gottwald, Jr. (former UPSem trustee) October 20, 2019
David W. McCormick (Professor Emeritus of Music) September 23, 2019
Richard H. ‘Dick’ Barnhardt (former PSCE trustee) September 15, 2019
Richard (Dick) Mizell(M.Div. ’60) August 5, 2019
Patricia Gatlin Maxwell, (M.A. ’56) August 22, 2019
Patricia A. McClurg(MACE, ’63) August 25, 2019
Rayburn Holman (former UTS trustee) August 17, 2019
Dean Horace P. Holden, Sr.(B.D. ‘60) March 17, 2019
Nancy Irving Smith, (M.A., ’57) June 13, 2019
JoAnn Anderton, spouse of the late Rev. Malcolm Anderton (B.D.’58), August 3, 2019
James R. Lloyd (M.Div.’57) February 26, 2018
Dennis James Starr, (M.A.’75) May 4, 2019
Weston Brown Guthrie (M.Div ’76) July 28, 2019
Pat Gilmer Tubbs (PSCE ’44-’46) November 14, 2018
Cecil O. Eanes (B.D. ’45) January 25, 2019
Jane Anderson Clark (M.A. ’49) May 15, 2019
Helen Jenkins Goodwin (PSCE ’50-’51) July 19, 2018
Eleanor Bear Wallace (M.A. ’52) March 18, 2019
Charles E. Sutton (UTS ’52-’55) December 31, 2018
Lydia Nomi Frias (PSCE ’53 -’55) January 25, 2019
Ann Jordan McNeill (M.R.E. ’53) January 17, 2019
Margaret Ann Dyson (M.R.E. ’54) October 7, 2018
Martha Mayfield Newcomb (M.R.E. ’54) February 6, 2019
Glenda Selman Owen (B.R.E. ’54) March 24, 2019
Cornelia Hale Bryans (M.R.E. ’55) March 26, 2019
Dawes B. Graybeal (M.Div. ’55, D.Min. ’73) February 26, 2019
Billy A. Melvin (B.D. ’56) February 1, 2018
Lucius A. Gray (B.D. ’58, S.T.M. ’72, D.Min. ’78) April 7, 2019
Dick R. Kinser(M.R.E. ’58) November 21, 2018
Mary Hays Kinser (M.R.E. ’58) June 6, 2018
Richard Henry Little (B.D. ’58) March 21, 2019
Jane Wilson Holmgren (M.C.E. ’59) June 8, 2018
Harold McKeithen (B.D. ’59) January 27, 2019
William H. Duke (B.D. ’61) March 12, 2019
Denton McLellan (B.D. ’61, Th.M. ’62) December 10, 2018
Steve A. “Sam” Martin (M.Div. ’62) February 21, 2019
John Richard Wilcox (M.Div. ’62) April 8, 2019
Calvin R. Parks (PSCE ’62-’63) February 16, 2019
Benjamin W. Farley (B.D. ’63, Th.M. ’64, Th.D. ’76) December 28, 2018
Janet Allen Chin (M.C.E. ’67) December 22, 2018
William E. Alexander (M.Div. ’68, M.A. ’70) February 10, 2019
Mary Elizabeth Smart (B.C.E. ’68) September 1, 2018
James Bernard Hatch, Jr. (M.Div. ’71) September 28, 2018
Joseph B. Mullin (D.Min. ’76) December 19, 2018
Edward James Conner, Jr. (D.Min. ’77) January 5, 2019
Daniel E. Fullerton (Th.M. ’77) October 30, 2018
Wayne Cole (M.Div. ’78) July 25, 2018
David L. Morgan (D.Min.M ’82) November 3, 2018
Helen Riblet Woodward (D.Min. ’86) July 25, 2018
Mary Susan Pisano (M.Div. ’09) December 2, 2019
Harry G. Paris (M.Div. ’12) April 6, 2019
Carolyn Stuart Burgess (wife of Samuel A. Burgess M.Div. ’52) January 19, 2019
Mildred S. McIver (wife of Malcolm C. McIver, PSCE Dean of Faculty ’52-’81)
James H. Smylie (UTS Faculty ’62-’96) January 5, 2019
Anne E. Treichler (former trustee of UTS ’87-’97) July 22, 2018
Priscilla Andre-Colton (M.A. ’79) has been named as the recipient of the Life Achievement Award by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE).
Ophelia Garmon-Brown (M.Div. ’08) is being honored as the Charlotte Post Foundation’s 2019 Luminary for healing and promoting opportunity. It is the Charlotte Post Foundation’s highest award.
Thomas T. Shields (D.Min. ’83) has written the book, “Upstream Teaching in the Church”, Westbow Press, 2019.
David R. Bauer (Ph.D. ’85) has written the book, The Gospel of the Son of God: An Introduction to Matthew, published by InterVarsity Academic Press.
Curtis Christian, IV (D.Min. ’86) has released his second book “The Angels of Hellas.” It was published in October 2019.
Thomas L. Johnson (B.D. ’64) co-edited a book with Phillip C. Dunn entitled A True Likeness: The Black South of Richard Samuel Roberts, 1920-1936. The book showcases the extraordinary photography of Richard Samuel Roberts (1880-1935) and reveals the social, economic, and cultural realities of the black South. The collection includes nearly 200 “true likenesses” of teachers, preachers, undertakers, carpenters, and more with dignity and respect. Thomas Johnson, now retired, was a career field archivist with the University of South Carolina’s South Caroliniana Library. An award-winning author and editor, he serves as a life member on the board of governors of the South Carolina Academy of Authors.
Katherine Paterson (’57) will release a new picture book called The Night of His Birth this Fall (Publication date: Sept. 17, 2019). The Night of His Birth is a poetic, dramatic picture book that recounts the night of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of Mary, offering a mother’s reflection on the joyous arrival of a child. The book features striking artwork from illustrator Lisa Aisato. For more information about the book, or to watch a book trailer about it, visit https://www.flyawaybooks.com/the-night-of-his-birth.
Bruce Taylor (Ph.D., ’88) is the author of The Word in the Wind: Sermons for the Lectionary, Year A, Advent through Eastertide, to be published by Wipf and Stock earlier this month. Wipf and Stock has also accepted the companion volume, No Business as Usual: Sermons for the Lectionary, Year A, Pentecost through Christ the King, which is projected to be available in December, 2019.
Thom M. Shuman (M.Div. ’86) is the author of ‘Grace will walk us home,’ a year of daily short prayers/’nudges’ based on Scripture, intended to speak to the reader’s heart and soul, published by Wild Goose Publications/Iona Community. His book of Advent devotions, ‘A is for Adventure; Z is for Zoo’ will be out in September.
Jim Chatham (’64) is author of a book for teaching and preaching the Psalms: Psalm Conversations, Listening In As They Talk with One Another, published by Liturgical Press, as well as a book on personal story writing in a small group: Moments of Magic, published by Amazon.
Joseph Everson (Th.M. ’66, Ph.D. ’69) is the author of a new book, A Vision of the Prophet Isaiah – Hope in a War Weary World a commentary published by Wipf & Stock Publishers
Roy A. Harrisville, III (Ph.D. ’90) is the author of The Faith of St. Paul: Transformative Gift of Divine Power published by Wipf & Stock Publishers
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