Union witnesses history at GA

This year, Portland, Oregon played host to the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that kicked off June 18th. The week long event has already made history with the election of co-moderators for the first time, Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, as well as adopting The Belhar Confessions into the Book of Confessions. Union graduates, alums, professors, and staff have been on hand not only in leadership roles, but as people helping shape the direction of the denomination.

Several members of our faculty and staff have been sharing their talents and insight with the General Assembly. Dean, Charlotte campus, Richard Boyce and Assistant Professor of Christian Education Sung Hee Chang (M.A.C.E.’99; Ph.D.’09) were asked by Union alum and the Moderator for the 221st General Assembly, Heath Rada (M.A.’70) to develop a Bible study for the event. Their curriculum, “Messy Tables, Messy Mission,” was used in both Monday and Tuesday’s Bible study by the assembly at large. Director of Admissions Mairi Renwick (M.Div.’11) and Associate Director of Admissions Lisa McLennan (M.Div.’13) represented Union at the Seminary Fair, giving information about our degree programs, new initiatives, and continuing education.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Evangelism John Vest from the Richmond Campus offered the keynote address, “Cultivating a Culture of Evangelism,” at the Union Presbyterian Seminary Alumni Luncheon. The alums also heard from President Brian K. Blount and Director of Alumni Development Clay Macaulay. During the luncheon, the newly elected co-moderators visited to give a quick word to the group. Denise Anderson is a pastor from National Capital Presbytery, and Jan Edmiston is a presbytery executive from Chicago. Over 80 Union and PSCE alums gathered together in fellowship.

(Above, President Brian Blount at the National Black Presbyterian Caucus dinner with the new PCUSA co-moderators.)