Union Presbyterian Seminary

Special Course: Sacraments and Grace in Wesleyan Theology
2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Course Description:
The keynote of Wesleyan theology is grace, understood experientially by the followers of Jesus in at least three modes of grace: prevenient, justifying, sanctifying. This course will explore the modes of grace within Wesleyan Theology, specifically related to the Sacraments.
Meet the Instructor

Rev. Alan Combs is an ordained elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Salem, VA. With over 15 years of experience, he is dedicated to Wesleyan theology, spiritual formation, and ecumenical dialogue. He has also been involved with the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
Dates: Thursdays, February 19 – March 26, 2026 | 6:30-8:30pm EST via Zoom
Click here to register!

Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary
We believe everyone should have access to this learning opportunity. If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “SCWT: Financial Aid”.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, please contact Deborah for a promo code.

25-26 Pathways: Worship & Sacraments
2026-03-26 19:00 - 21:00
Course Description:
This course will examine the history, theology, and practice of worship and sacraments. While rooted in the reformed tradition, the goal is to deepen appreciation for a variety of worship services and liturgical practices. Through reflections on readings and discussions of observed liturgical rituals, the course will seek to cultivate enlivened worship leadership practices and their theological impact within the particular ecclesial context for each person. At the end of the course, participants will be equipped and inspired to craft and lead worship that is lifegiving for them and their worshiping congregation.
Meet the Instructors

Dr. Donna Giver-Johnston is an ordained minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Over her twenty years in ministry, she has served churches in New Jersey and Ohio, and most recently as Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Currently, she is a member of the faculty and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry degree program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She has earned degrees from Vanderbilt University (PhD and MA), Princeton Seminary (MDiv), and Westminster College (BA). Her published books include Claiming the Call to Preach: Four Female Pioneers of Preaching in Nineteenth-Century America (Oxford, 2021); Writing for the Ear, Preaching from the Heart (Fortress, 2021); For Every Matter Under Heaven: Preaching for Special Occasions (Fortress Press, 2022).

Rev. Dr. Diane Walton Hendricks has served as pastor of Clifton Presbyterian Church in Clifton, VA, since September of 2020. She is passionate about nurturing a community that is growing in relationship with one another, with God, with the community, and with God’s ongoing work in the world. Before coming to CPC, Pastor Diane served churches in Arlington and Falls Church. In addition, she serves the greater church as a spiritual director (trained in the contemplative tradition), and has also served on staff at Wesley Theological Seminary and in the Pathways program of Union Presbyterian Seminary. She also served National Capital Presbytery as its immediate past moderator and is presently chair of the Leadership Council. She received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Dates: Thursdays, 7-9pm EST, February 19 – March 26, 2025
Registration closes 2 days before the first class meeting on February 17, 2025.
Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary

If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “PWWS : Financial Aid”.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, you can register here using your UPSem email address.

Special Course: Healing Haunted Histories
2026-03-30 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-06 16:00 - 17:30
Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler’s Discipleship of Decolonization
Mondays, January 12 – April 6, 2026
Register and view full schedule at the bottom of this page

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course utilizes social analysis, communal narratives, historical literacy, and biblical reflection to address deep-rooted injustices between settlers and the worlds of Indigenous (and other marginalized communities) in North America. Participants will engage with the Landlines-Bloodlines-Songlines (LBS) model tailored to their context, focusing on practical research and engagement rather than passive learning. Commitment to readings, research, and mutual accountability is essential for fostering Restorative Solidarity and deepening decolonization efforts. Please visit this website for more information about Healing Haunted Histories.
This course will require 3.0-3.5 hours per week for course preparation and attendance, and is 4.0 CEUs.
Meet the Course Facilitators
Rev. Dr. Lynne B. Caldwell, Pastor and Educator

While Lynne Caldwell’s “re-schooling” and personal work with her racism began in college, she only became connected with Healing Haunted Histories a few years ago. She sensed from the beginning that ‘doing the work’ (Audre Lorde) through Elaine Enns’ and Ched Myers’ model for Healing Haunted Histories is one of the best
Born in Asheville, NC, Lynne grew up in Black Mountain, NC. She earned a B.A. in Child Development, Berea College, Berea, KY; an M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY; D.Min., Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC and two certificates in leadership from the Divinity School of Duke University. She has served appointments through the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church for more than 35 years, including 10 years “on-loan” to the Virginia Conference. Assignments/appointed positions include Associate Minister, Lead Pastor, Senior Pastor, District Superintendent, faculty member, and administrator of a non-profit.
Among Lynne’s passions is the exploration of the intersection of real faith and real life through meaningful relationships, spiritual practices, and a commitment to learning something new every day. She’s energized by a lifelong curiosity about human development and community. Inspired to sustain learning about how we grow in love for God, self, neighbors, and our enemies, she seeks to pursue integrity between words and behaviors. And, so…she seeks to press on, in the company of others, daily practicing what it might mean to become God’s beloved community, until we’ve practiced our way into becoming embodiments of love, justice, equity, inclusion and forgiveness.
Lynne currently serves as pastor of Danbury Community Church in Stokes County, NC; and is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Religion, Ethics and Philosophy Department of Greensboro College. Lynne makes her home in Winston-Salem, NC.
Home Missioner Steve Taylor, Activist and Educator

Steve Taylor is a Home Missioner in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, serving as Director of Anti-racist Discipleship and Beloved Community at Spring Forest New Monastic and Missional Community. Steve leads a transformative ministry integrating Christian discipleship with the pursuit of racial equity and justice. His work extends throughout the United Methodist Church, local congregations, and ecumenical partnerships, centering on peacebuilding, healing, and the creation of beloved community.
At Spring Forest, Steve develops and leads trainings and conversations addressing systemic racism—its historical roots, present realities, and spiritual paths toward reconciliation. He organizes community partnerships and advocacy efforts, helps congregations integrate antiracism into prayer and worship, and facilitates the Healing Haunted Histories process created by Dr. Elaine Enns and Ched Myers. Through these practices, Steve helps communities confront the past and embody God’s reconciling love in the present.
Steve’s vision is shaped by the Beloved Community — a vision of justice, equity, and unconditional love reflecting the Kin-dom of God on earth. “In intentional actions of education, advocacy, deep listening, honest and confessional truth-telling, and the work of antiracism as worship,” Steve says, “we build a community where every person is valued. Discipleship—patterning our lives after Jesus—must include the work of antiracism. It is the work of building peace and beloved community.”
Previously, Steve served as Executive Director of Connectional Ministries and Director of Missions for the North Carolina Conference and as a Church and Community Worker in Robeson County. His 35-year ministry has included work in both rural and urban settings and in Slovenian refugee camps during the Balkan wars. Across all contexts, he helps congregations engage deeply with their communities through shared spiritual and social transformation.
Steve is married to Sheryl Taylor, “the portrait of God’s grace,” and they have two children and four grandchildren.
Special Class Sessions with Elaine Enns and Ched Myers, Co-authors of Healing Haunted Histories

Elaine Enns has worked in the field of restorative justice since 1989, first focusing on victim-offender dialogue in the Criminal Justice System, and over the last decade looking at how restorative solidarity applies to historical violations, including issues of intergenerational trauma, healing and decolonization. With a DMin from St. Andrew’s Saskatoon, Elaine trains and teaches throughout North America, and her latest book, co-authored with her partner activist theologian Ched Myers, is Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization (Wipf & Stock, 2021); in 2009 the two-volume Ambassadors of Reconciliation: A New Testament Theology and Diverse Christian Practices of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking (Orbis Books, 2009); and has published over a dozen articles. An ecumenical Mennonite, Elaine was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and lives in southern California where she co-directs Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries on traditional Chumash land.

A fifth generation Californian, Ched Myers is an activist theologian who has worked in social change and radical discipleship movements for more than 45 years. With a degree in New Testament Studies, he is a popular educator who animates scripture and its relationship to issues of faith-based peace and justice. He has authored over 100 articles and more than a half-dozen books, including Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus; Ambassadors of Reconciliation: A N.T. Theology and Diverse Christian Practices of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking (with Elaine Enns); Our God is Undocumented: Biblical Faith and Immigrant Justice (with Matthew Colwell); Watershed Discipleship: Reinhabiting Bioregional Faith and Practice; Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization (with Elaine Enns, Cascade, 2021); and most recently Healing Affluenza and Resisting Plutocracy: Luke’s Jesus and Sabbath Economics (Fortress, 2024). Ched’s articles and books can be found on the linked sites.

Course Text:
Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler’s Discipleship of Decolonization, (The Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice Series), by Elaine Enns and Ched Myers. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipft and Stock Publishers, 2021. ISBN (pbk): 978-1-7252-5535-7. Also available in hardback and as ebook.

Students should have their own copy in format personally preferred as we will utilize the text each session.

Click to order Healing Haunted Histories
Register and purchase a copy of Healing Haunted Histories by December 31, 2025 to receive a 40% discount on the book, use code HHHEV225 at check-out (publisher, Wipf & Stock).

Register by December 15, 2025

This course is offered by the Leadership Institute of Union Presbyterian Seminary in collaboration with Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries and The Church at Spring Forest UMC in Hillsborough, North Carolina

We believe everyone should have access to this learning opportunity. If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “HHH: Financial Aid”.UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free.

If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, you can register here using your UPSem email address.

Schedule

January 12 WELCOME TO HHH! Practical Matters /Introduction to the course
January 19 MLK Day; no class; encourage participants to engage in service in their local communities
January 26 1st class session: Introduction and Chapter 1 of the book, Elaine Enns attending
February 2 Session 2, Chapter 2
February 9 Session 3, Chapter 3
February 16 Session 4, Chapter 4
February 23 Session 5, Theological Interlude, Elaine Enns and Ched Myers attending
March 2 Session 6, Chapter 5
March 9 Session 7, Chapter 6
March 16 Session 8, Chapter 7
March 23 Session 9, Epilogue and Preparation for Making Commitments for Next Steps
April 6 Closing and Session 10: Celebration and Commitment, Elaine Enns attending

Campus Cafe
2026-04-02 11:30 - 13:00, 2026-04-09 11:30 - 13:00, 2026-04-16 11:30 - 13:00, 2026-04-23 11:30 - 13:00, 2026-04-30 11:30 - 13:00 | Campus Cafe at Richmond Hall, 1007 Melrose Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23227, United States
Grab some lunch and stop by our campus swag store in Richmond Hall! We’ll have sandwiches (grilled cheese and chicken salad), soups, and cookies.

25-26 WLI Course: Womanist Pastoral Theology
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-14 19:00 - 21:00
Course Description:
This course explores pastoral care through a Womanist lens, centering the lived experiences, wisdom, and spiritual practices of Black women. Students will engage theological, psychological, and cultural frameworks that affirm Black women’s dignity, resilience, and holistic healing. Drawing on Womanist theology, African-centered psychology, and Black feminist thought, the course equips pastoral caregivers to practice care that is liberative, justice-oriented, and culturally relevant.
Meet the Instructor

Rev. Dr. Danielle “Danie” J. Buhuro is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also Executive Director and lead CPE Supervisor at Sankofa CPE Center which offers innovative online Clinical Pastoral Education programming along with unique social justice-oriented clinical work settings and prepares clergy chaplains for board certification. Dr. Buhuro is passionate about issues of race, gender and sexuality. She is author of “Spiritual Care In An Age of #BlackLivesMatter: Examining the Spiritual and Prophetic Needs of African Americans Living In A Violent America.”
Dr. Buhuro attended Chicago Theological Seminary, where she earned the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Theology, Ethics and Human Sciences with a focus on Pastoral Theology. Dr. Buhuro also holds a Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity degrees respectively and has served on the national board of directors for ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education. She facilitates numerous workshops nation-wide on African American Pastoral Care and African-centered psychology.
Rev. Dr. Buhuro is committed to excellence and community partnership. Her philosophy of education embraces a pedagogy of helping students enhance their pastoral identity and pastoral competence while improving their pastoral reflection.
Dates: Thursdays, 7-9pm EST, April 9 – May 14, 2026
Registration closes on April 7, 2026, 2 business days before the first class meeting.
Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary
Use this link to register for the course

If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “WLIWPT: Financial Aid”.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, you can register here using your UPSem email address.

25-26 Pathways: Church History
2026-04-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-19 19:00 - 21:00
Pathways Online Course instructed by Dr. Christine Luckritz Marquis: Church History
Course Description
This course is designed to provide an overview of and an appreciation for the history of Christian traditions, the broader contexts in which they are developed, and their continued significance for the life of the church. Participants will study select crucial historical moments (e.g., early Christian movements, church councils, Reformation, Christianity in America).
Meet the Instructor

Dr. Christine Luckritz Marquis is Associate Professor of Church History, having been at Union Presbyterian Seminary since Fall 2013. Previously, she taught at Duke University, Lehigh University, and Moravian Theological Seminary. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship from 2010-2012.
Her teaching and research explore early Christian communities and their practices, especially those founded in Egypt, Syria, and the Arabian Peninsula. Her first book is “Death of the Desert: Monastic Memory and the Loss of Egypt’s Golden Age” (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2022). The book explores how memory and spatial practices were transformed by acts of violence among Egyptian ascetics. She has also co-edited and translated The History of the Great Deeds of Bishop Paul of Quentos and Priest John of Edessa: Texts from Christian Late Antiquity volume 29 (Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias Press, 2010). She contributed to Melania: Early Christianity Through the Life of One Family (University of California Press, 2016). Her translation work is found in the first two volumes of More New Testament Apocrypha and on the Coptic Scriptorium webpage.
Dates: Tuesdays, 7-9pm EST, April 14 – May 19, 2026
Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary

Registration closes on April 10, 2026, 2 business days before the first class meeting.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, you can register here using your UPSem email address. If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “PWCH: Financial Aid.

Sprunt 2026
2026-05-04 08:00 - 2026-05-06 17:00 | Union Presbyterian Seminary: Richmond Campus, 3401 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA, 23227, United States
Join us for the Sprunt Lecture series this May.

Multifaith Allyship & Solidarity
2026-05-05 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-19 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-26 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-02 18:30 - 20:30
Course Description:
In a religiously diverse society, working within and across religious lines requires intention, persistence, and care. This course will explore the theory and practice of multifaith allyship and solidarity. We will consider frameworks for fostering trust and building coalitions, and we will also explore the challenges and pitfalls of multifaith work. Throughout the course, guest panelists from diverse faith traditions and multifaith leadership roles will share their real-world experiences in building bridges across religious communities.
Meet the Instructor

Jonathan C. Zur is President & CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, business, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. An experienced facilitator and consultant on issues of diversity and inclusion, Jonathan was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Commonwealth Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, formed in the aftermath of the tragedy in Charlottesville in August 2017. In 2016, he was a speaker at the inaugural White House Summit on Diversity and Inclusion in Government. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of Richmond and he received a Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Dates: Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm EST, May 5 – June 9, 2026
Click here to Register!

Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary
We believe everyone should have access to this learning opportunity. If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “SCMAS: Financial Aid”.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, please contact Deborah Keyes for a promo code you can use to register.

Ecumenical Transitional Leadership Training
2026-05-18 09:00 - 10:00
Ecumenical Transitional Leadership Training
Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Leadership Institute, in partnership with Eastern Mennonite University, is excited to offer this innovative hybrid program designed to equip pastors and lay leaders across denominations for the vital work of interim ministry.
Scroll down to find FAQs and the registration link.
Program Overview
Transitional ministry—guiding congregations through seasons of change, loss, and discernment—requires a unique set of skills that go beyond traditional pastoral formation. This intensive program brings together leading voices in transitional ministry, congregational systems, conflict transformation, and spiritual resilience to provide comprehensive training for those called to serve churches in transition.
Developed with an ecumenical perspective, this program welcomes participants from all Christian traditions and emphasizes collaborative approaches to ministry that honor the diverse ways congregations navigate change. Whether you’re exploring interim ministry as a calling, already serving in transitional roles, or seeking to strengthen your skills in leading through congregational transitions, this program offers practical frameworks, theological grounding, and a supportive cohort experience.
Program Format & Schedule
Due to website limitations in displaying multi-week programs with optional components, the calendar date for this event may show as a single day. The accurate program dates are listed below:
Online Learning (May 17-23, 2026) The online course opens May 17, 2026. During Week 1, you’ll work through 11 modules in a specific sequence at your own pace, with approximately 20-25 hours of content including video lectures, panel discussions, reflection questions, assessments, and participation in peer discussion. All Week 1 modules must be completed by Saturday, May 23.
Live Q&A Sessions (May 24-30, 2026) Week 2 features approximately 7 hours of live Q&A sessions with instructors via Zoom, plus additional time for peer discussion and working through material. These interactive sessions allow you to engage directly with expert practitioners and theologians, ask questions specific to your context, and deepen your understanding of the material.
Optional In-Person Component (June 3-4, 2026) The optional in-person gathering takes place at Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Richmond, VA campus, running from lunch on Wednesday, June 3 through closing dinner on Thursday, June 4. For those staying in on-campus housing Thursday night, an optional breakfast is available Friday morning by RSVP. This intensive time together includes worship, deeper engagement with course themes, networking with your cohort, and practical skill-building exercises. See the schedule here (subject to small changes)
What You’ll Learn
Over the course of this program, participants will engage with 11 modules covering essential competencies for transitional ministry:

Why Transitional Ministry Matters: Understanding the landscape of transitional ministry today, the changing church, and ecumenical approaches to supporting congregations in transition
The Path Framework: Exploring the stages of Entering, Dwelling, Discovering, and Emerging that shape the interim journey
Trauma & Grief: Developing trauma-informed approaches to congregational systems and understanding how communities process loss and change
Five Focus Points: Learning to guide congregations through examination of Heritage, Mission, Leadership, Connections, and Future
Five Process Tasks: Practical application of the focus points framework in real ministry contexts
Holy Listening and Sharing: Cultivating active listening skills and creating space for congregation members’ voices and experiences
Conflict Transformation: Building capacity to navigate and transform conflict constructively within congregational systems
Systems Thinking: Integrating family systems theory to understand congregational dynamics, anxiety, homeostasis, and change processes
Transition Teams: Recruiting, training, and empowering lay leadership to participate effectively in transitional ministry
Practical Matters: Addressing self-care, professional boundaries, sustainability, and denomination-specific considerations for interim pastors
Soul Care: Grounding practices, spiritual shifts, and resilience for the demanding work of transitional ministry

Extended Learning & Community
Participants who attend the in-person component unlock significant extended benefits designed to support your ongoing growth and connection:

12 months of course access: Continue engaging with all recorded content, discussion boards, and materials
Library resources: Access to Union Presbyterian Seminary’s online library resources for one year
Monthly content: New podcast episodes and webinars uploaded to the course throughout the year
Cohort community: Ongoing platform for connection, support, and collaboration with fellow participants
Continuing education discount: 10% off all Leadership Institute online courses through the 2026-2027 academic year

Q&A session recordings will be added to the course after the optional in-person component, during the week of June 8. Online-only participants will lose course access on May 31, 2026.
Who Should Participate
This program is designed for:

Pastors exploring or preparing for interim ministry
Current interim ministers seeking to strengthen their practice
Lay leaders involved in congregational transition processes
Denominational leaders supporting churches through pastoral transitions
Ministry professionals navigating organizational change

Participants from all Christian traditions are welcome. While some content addresses denomination-specific practices (Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Mennonite, Episcopal), the core frameworks and approaches are applicable across traditions.
Registration & Pricing
Multiple registration options are available to ensure accessibility.
Early Bird Pricing (Until February 15, 2026) – $50 off!
Online-Only Options:

Subsidized: $299
Standard: $449
Sustaining: $599

Online & In-Person Options:

Subsidized: $549
Standard: $799
Sustaining: $1,049

Standard Pricing (February 15 – May 1, 2026)
Online-Only Options:

Subsidized: $349
Standard: $499
Sustaining: $649

Online & In-Person Options:

Subsidized: $599
Standard: $849
Sustaining: $1,099

Late Registration (May 1-8, 2026) – $50 late fee
Online-Only Options:

Subsidized: $399
Standard: $549
Sustaining: $699

Online & In-Person Options:

Subsidized: $649
Standard: $899
Sustaining: $1,149

All in-person expenses (meals and programming) are included in registration fees. On-campus housing is available at a discounted rate ($65 per night for single occupancy, $90 per night for double occupancy). The Sustaining tier of the Online & In-Person Option includes housing. If you indicate on your registration form that you will require on-campus housing for the optional in-person portion of the program, a separate housing registration form will be sent to you after registering. On-campus housing is limited, so register soon!
After registration closes on May 8, participants who selected online-only may upgrade to include the in-person component for an additional flat fee of $250 until May 15.
Program Partnership
This program represents a collaboration between Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Leadership Institute and Eastern Mennonite University, bringing together expertise in theological education, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and leadership development. Contributors include faculty and staff from both institutions, along with practitioners and denominational leaders from across the country.

Ready to Register? Click here
By registering for this program, participants agree to complete a pre-program survey, post-program survey, and follow-up survey approximately three months after the program concludes.

FAQs
Registration & Pricing
What’s the difference between the subsidized, standard, and sustaining pricing tiers?
All pricing tiers provide access to the same program content and experience. We offer multiple price points to ensure accessibility for participants with varying financial situations. Choose the tier that reflects what you’re able to contribute—subsidized pricing supports those with limited resources, standard pricing covers program costs, and sustaining pricing helps make the program accessible to others.
Note: The sustaining tier for the “Online & In-Person” option ($1,099) includes on-campus housing fees. All other tiers require separate payment for housing if you choose to stay on campus.
Can I upgrade from online-only to include the in-person component after I register?
After registration closes on May 8, participants who selected online-only may upgrade to include the in-person component for an additional flat fee of $250 until May 15.
How do I reserve on-campus housing?
If you register for the online & in-person option and note that you will require housing, a housing request form will be sent to you after registering.
Do you offer scholarships or financial assistance?
Yes. We’ve designed our tiered pricing structure to provide multiple accessible price points, and our subsidized tier is available for those with limited financial resources. If you need additional financial assistance beyond the subsidized tier, please don’t hesitate to contact Deborah Keyes at dkeyes@upsem.edu. We want to work with you to make this program accessible.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Participants may cancel their registration for a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee, until May 1, 2026. Refund requests received after May 1, 2026 will not be granted except in cases of emergency or extenuating life circumstances, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request a cancellation or refund, please contact dkeyes@upsem.edu.
Program Logistics
What sort of time commitment does this program require?
The program requires approximately 27-32 hours over two weeks:

Week 1 (May 17-23): 20-25 hours of asynchronous content, including video lectures, panel discussions, reflection questions, assessments, and peer discussion. Work at your own pace, but all modules must be completed by Saturday, May 23.
Week 2 (May 24-30): Approximately 7 hours of live Q&A sessions via Zoom, plus additional time for peer discussion and working through material.
Optional In-Person Component (June 3-4): Runs from lunch on Wednesday through closing dinner on Thursday, with an optional breakfast on Friday for those staying on campus at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Registrants for the optional in-person component are expected to attend the entire program through closing dinner on Thursday.

Do I need to attend all the live Q&A sessions?
While attendance at live Q&A sessions is not required, active participation in Week 2 content and discussions is necessary to receive your certificate of completion. If you cannot attend a live session, please be sure to participate in the discussion boards. Recordings will be uploaded to the course during the week of June 8. Please note that online-only participants will lose course access on May 31.
What technology/equipment do I need to participate?
You will need a computer, internet access, and Zoom capability to participate in the online portion of the program and attend live Q&A sessions. The online course requires consuming digital material (video and text) as well as participation in peer discussions. A camera is encouraged, but not required.
Course Content & Structure
Can I complete the modules out of order?
Modules must be completed in order in the allotted time.
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes. All participants who complete the online portion of the program will receive a certificate of completion worth 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Participants who also attend the in-person component will receive a separate certificate at the conclusion of the in-person gathering for an additional 1.5 CEUs, for a total of 4.5 CEUs.
What denominations is this program designed for?
This program is designed to be ecumenical and welcomes participants from all Christian traditions. While the curriculum features content and speakers from Presbyterian, Mennonite, Episcopal, Baptist, and Methodist traditions, the core frameworks and approaches to transitional ministry are applicable across denominations. Module 10 includes denomination-specific sessions addressing practical considerations (contracting, benefits, denominational resources) for Presbyterian, Mennonite, Methodist, and Baptist contexts, though participants are welcome to view content from any or all traditions regardless of their own denominational affiliation.
In-Person Component
Is the in-person component really optional? What will it include?
Yes, the in-person component (June 3-4, 2026) is truly optional, but it’s a valuable investment for participants who want deeper peer connections and extended learning opportunities. Programming brings participants together at Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Richmond, VA campus. All meals during the in-person component are included. See the schedule here (subject to small changes)
Benefits of attending in-person include 12 months of continued course access, ongoing monthly content, access to the library’s online resources, connection with your cohort through a dedicated platform, and 10% off Leadership Institute courses through the 2026-2027 academic year.
Can I commute to the in-person component instead of staying on campus?
Absolutely! There is a section on the registration form where you can note whether or not you will require housing if you are signing up for the in-person portion
Is childcare available during the in-person component?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide childcare during the in-person component. We recognize this may present a barrier for some participants and encourage you to make arrangements that work best for your family situation.

More Questions?
For more information about the program, contact: Deborah Keyes Leadership Institute, Union Presbyterian Seminary dkeyes@upsem.edu

25-26 Pathways: The Christian Life
2026-05-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:00
Course Description: This course is designed to provide knowledge of Protestant perspectives on the Christian life. Participants will explore biblical and theological foundations that shape an understanding of the Christian life. Reflection on focused experiences of spiritual practices will engage students in critical analysis of their own spiritual lives and nurture opportunities for congregational ministry and leadership. Through assignments, online discussion, and class lectures, participants will engage in vital components of the Christian life.
Meet the Instructor: Karen-Marie Yust

Karen-Marie’s work nurtures spirituality and fosters theological reflection across generations. Currently, she researches the impact of digital culture on spirituality among children, youth, and young adults, using insights from media studies, psychology, and education. She examines how online interactions influence identity and community and how the Church can respond to modern realities. She also explores moral development in young children and how adults can nurture their moral sensibilities.
Additionally, she investigates changing dynamics in congregational life, seeking new approaches to faith formation and educational ministries outside traditional settings, including online platforms and non-religious spaces. She is an experienced pastor and Christian educator, ordained in both the United Church of Christ and Disciples traditions.

Dates: Thursdays, 7-9pm EST, May 21 – June 25, 2026
Registration closes 2 days before the first class meeting on May 19, 2026.
Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary

If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “PWTCL : Financial Aid”.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, you can register here using your UPSem email address.
