Union Presbyterian Seminary

Presbyterian Polity, Mission, and Program (Christian Educator Certification Course)
2024-04-02 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-09 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
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.

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: Mission and Evangelism
2024-04-15 19:00 - 21:00
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.

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.
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2024 Dawe Lecture
2024-03-14 18:30 - 20:00
Presenter: Dr. Hadia Mubarak | Assistant Professor of Religion | Queens University | Charlotte, North Carolina
Title of Lecture–“Unlearning Islamophobia: Exploring Muslim Representations in Film”
Click here for more information or to register.

Alumni Saturday
2024-03-09 11:45 - 19:00
Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Charlotte campus and Trinity Presbyterian Church present Alumni Saturday: “Engaging a Fearless Faith” on March 9 at UPSem’s Charlotte campus. Worship and Lunch will be led by Rev. Jimmie Hawkins at 11:45 a.m. Rev. Hawkins will also lead a workshop on Faith and Politics from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Rev. Kate Murphy and Rev. Jimmie Hawkins will engage alumni, students, Trinity Presbyterian members and the community in conversation about faith in the public square at Legion Brewing 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. To RSVP for Saturday’s lunch please email Mary Ellen Vernon. Contact Sally Herlong with any questions.

Dawe Lecture Book Club
2024-02-22 18:00 - 20:00
Led by: Dr. Chris Burton
Reading: Rebellious Wives, Neglectful Husbands: Controversies in Modern Qur’anic Commentaries, by Hadia Mubarak
Description: This text, written by 2024 Dawe Lecturer, Dr. Hadia Mubarak, shows us how colonialism, nationalism, and modernization have impacted conversations about women in the Qur’an.
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Just Talk/Talk Just - Imagining a Just Society
2024-02-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Online webinar

Pathways Online Course: The Christian Life
2024-02-20 19:00 - 21:00
Led by: Dr. Cindy Kissel-Ito
Tuesdays, February 20-March 19, 2024 | 7-9 p.m. Eastern Time
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.
Click here to register or for more information

Dangerous Dialogues - Seeking Shalom: Activism
2024-02-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Online webinar

Womanist Leadership Institute Course: Womanist Theology, a Primer
2024-02-13 19:00 - 21:00
Led by: Dr. JoAnne Marie Terrell
Six-Week Core Course | Tuesdays, February 13-March 19, 2024 | 7-9 p.m. Eastern Time
This course is designed to introduce participants to the Womanist literature, discourses, and doctrines used as a source for theological reflection and flourishing.
Click here for more information or to start a registration.

Just Talk/Talk Just - Decentering Whiteness
2024-01-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Online webinar

Womanist Leadership Institute Course: Introduction to Africana Religions
2024-01-11 18:00 - 20:00
Led by: Iya Dr. Funlayo E. Wood
Six-Week Elective Course | Thursdays, January 11-February 15, 2024 | 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time
Africana Religions include indigenous traditions of Africa like those of the Akan, Yoruba, Ndebele, San, and Fon peoples, as well as related traditions of the Americas like Candomblé, Palo, Lukumi, Hooodoo, Obeah, and Haitian Vodou. In spite of factors like mass conversion to Islam and Christianity and active terrorism against Africana religions, their practice continues on the African continent, throughout the Americas, and the world.
This course will provide an introduction to the study and practice of Africana religions and will highlight topics including: concepts of God and cosmology, ways of knowing, spirit possession, ritual, ceremony, divination, magic, art, and more within a religious studies framework that employs phenomenology, anthropology of religion, and other approaches.
Registration is closed for this course.

CBF Campus Day
2023-12-06 11:45 - 13:30
Join the CBFVA staff and Susan Blanchard for campus worship and community lunch. A time for prospective students and pastors to experience UPSem, take a tour of campus, and meet our Baptist students. Also, this is a great opportunity for our students to network with pastors in the CBF VA ecosystem. Please RSVP to sblanchard@upsem.edu

Inauguration of Rebecca L. Davis, Ph.D. as the Sarah Belk Gambrell Professor of Christian Education
2023-12-02 11:45 - 13:00 | Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, North Carolina
The inauguration of Rebecca L. Davis, Ph.D. as the Sarah Belk Gambrell Professor of Christian Education will occur on Saturday, Dec.2 at 11:45 a.m. at Sharon Presbyterian Church. Lunch will follow.
Contact SarahDianne.Jones@upsem.edu for more information.

Center for Excellence in Christian Education Inaugural Symposium
2023-11-30 12:00 - 2023-12-01 15:00 | Union Presbyterian Seminary: Charlotte Campus, 5141 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28210, United States
On Thursday, Nov. 30, educators, pastors, and lay leaders are invited to join Rev. Gail Henderson-Belsito of Caldwell Presbyterian Church at UPSem’s Charlotte campus at noon to open the inaugural symposium of the Center for Excellence in Christian Education.
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.
On Friday, Dec. 1, the CECE symposium continues with a 9:00 a.m. keynote by Dr. Patrick Reyes, author of The Purpose Gap. Focusing on helping marginalized people and communities of color thrive, Reyes offers guidance on implementing strategies to help young people live a life of meaning and purpose.
In addition to these speakers, presentations by emerging leaders in Christian education from the UPSem community will cover a broad range of topics. The symposium will conclude on Dec. 1 at 3:00 p.m.
Registration and the complete schedule for the CECE Inaugural Symposium is online at https://www.upsem.edu/cece/

Dangerous Dialogue- Seeking Shalom: Fighting for Atonement for Indigenous Peoples
2023-11-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Online webinar

Interim/Transitional Ministry Education Week 1
2023-11-13 13:00 - 2023-11-17 11:30
Registration is open for Interim/Transitional Ministry Education Week 1.
The date for this event will be November 13-17, 2023. This will be an in-person gathering on the Richmond Campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary.
Click here for more information or to start a registration.
For questions or more information, contact Theda Wortman (twortman@upsem.edu).

Just Talk/Talk Just - Reconciliation
2023-11-09 19:00 - 20:00
