Union Presbyterian Seminary

Pathways Online Course: Mission and Evangelism
2024-04-15 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Led by: Rev. Dr. Aram Feinberg
Mondays, April 15-May 20, 2024 | 7-9 p.m. Eastern Time
The overarching goal of this course is to develop a contextual framework for being a Reformed faith community in today’s context. To be more specific, students will be invited to imagine the contours of evangelism in today’s modern day context, which necessarily involves a historically based understanding of evangelism as well as a sociological study of those who identify as SBNRs, which is a growing demographic in the larger religious landscape of the United States.
The practice of evangelism must address the needs of society in order for the church to continue its commitment to both the gospel message (love God and love neighbor) and the great commission (go and make disciples).
Click here for more information or to register.

2024 Sprunt Lectures
2024-05-06 16:30 - 20:30 | Union Presbyterian Seminary: Richmond Campus, 3401 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA, 23227, United States
May 6-8, 2024
Registration for the 2024 Sprunt Lectures is open now! The alumni office invites you to attend this opportunity to hear a world-class lecturer and to fellowship with other attendees. Register at this link before April 29!
Dr. John J. Thatamanil, Professor of theology and world religions at Union Theological Seminary in New York, is the lecturer. Our preacher will be Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, former president of Princeton Theological Seminary. Rev. Lori Raible is the Alumni luncheon speaker. The BAA Trailblazer and the Distinguished Alum will be recognized, too, at a reception!
Lecture Series Fee
$100 covers all meals; there is no a la carte. Current UPSem students and faculty are free (for planning purposes/food, please register in advance). Lectures, worship, and receptions are free of charge.
A special event, the Inauguration of Dr. Jacqueline E. Lapsley as Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Eighth President, will occur on the afternoon of May 8 after the conclusion of the 2024 Sprunt Lectures.
Check out the complete schedule on the registration page and sign up today at https://bit.ly/Sprunt24

Presbyterian Polity, Mission, and Program (Christian Educator Certification Course)
2024-04-02 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-09 11:00 - 13:00
Led by Rev. Joyce MacKichan Walker and Jenna Campbell
Asynchronous work will begin April 1, 2024
Synchronous meetings are from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
This course in Presbyterian polity, program, and mission will integrate the study of the Presbyterian Constitution (Book of Confessions and Book of Order) and Program and Mission of the PC(USA) into the context of the educator. Scripture, polity, and the structure, mission and program of the PC(USA) provides the content for this certification course. Critical examination, guided exploration, and careful integration of those key resources provides educators an opportunity to draw upon the richness of the Presbyterian tradition as they take leadership roles in their congregations and ministries. The course provides opportunities for educators to explore how the polity, program, and mission of the PC(USA) will impact, guide, and influence their ministry in a Presbyterian congregation, governing body, or related context.

Parables of Jesus
2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:45
Led by Dr. John Carroll
Wednesdays | April 17-May 15 | 7:00-8:45 p.m. (Eastern Time)
To register, click here.
One of the signature features of Jesus’ teaching was His use of parables to communicate His message. What is a parable? What are the distinctive themes in Jesus’ parables? How does each Gospel focus central themes in its narrative about Jesus through His telling of parables? What do the parables have to say to twenty-first-century listeners?
This five-week course on the parables of Jesus will explore questions such as these, and in so doing, invite participants to deepen their understanding of the Gospels, and to gain fresh insight into the mission and message of Jesus—for both the first and the twenty-first century.
While each participant will receive a course syllabus and will be expected to attend, prepare for, and participate in all class sessions, there will not be any written assignments for this course. Nevertheless, the class is intended to offer the opportunity for deep learning and engaging conversation!
Click here for more information or to register.

Preaching the Headlines Book Club
2024-04-08 19:00 - 21:00
Led by: Leah Jordan
Reading: Preaching the Headlines, a book by Lisa Thompson.
Description: This book club, presented in partnership with the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership, is for everyone interested in reflecting theologically on this relationship between Scripture and the world around us.
Click here to start a registration.

Pathways Online Course: Preaching
2024-04-25 19:00 - 21:00
Led by: Dr. Rich Voelz
Thursdays, April 25-May 30, 2024 | 7-9 p.m. ET
Participants will consider the “why” of preaching and learn the “how” of basic elements of sermon preparation and delivery. The learning will then be put into practice by developing, delivering, and receiving feedback on a sermon preached in the context.
Click here for more information or to register.

Just Talk/Talk Just - Clean Watar & Indigenous Justice Movements
2024-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Online webinar

Rooted 2:67
2024-04-08 18:00 - 19:00
Our monthly dinner gathering.

Womanist Leadership Institute Course: Global Womanisms and Perspectives...
2024-04-04 18:00 - 20:00
…Inventing Women and Subverting Gender in the African Public Sphere
Led by: Dr. Georgette Ledgister
Six-Week Elective Course | Thursdays, April 4-May 9, 2024 | 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time
This course explores themes at the intersection of gender and religion in Africa, and interrogating normative discourses that almost exclusively paint African women as victims constrained by western conceptions of gender. Focusing on the interplay of gender studies, religious studies, and womanist ethics, this course locates agency in the lived experience of ordinary African women who turn to indigenous practice to cultivate flourishing in the public sphere.
Click here for more information or to register.

Just Talk/Talk Just - Womanist Theopoetics
2024-03-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Online webinar

Pathways Online Course: Worship and Sacraments
2024-03-14 19:00 - 21:00
Led by: Dr. Paul Galbreath
Thursdays, March 14-April 18, 2024 | 7-9 p.m. Eastern Time
Worship is the central act of the people of God and the community of faith. The sacraments provide a tangible witness to God’s ongoing grace and presence in the world and in our lives. Together they enrich and enliven the life of faith for all God’s people. This course will explore the meaning and practice of Worship, Baptism, and Communion as means and experiences of grace and commission.
Click here for more information or to register
