Union Forum: Why do racist symbols have to go?

The removal of statues honoring Confederate heroes and Christopher Columbus, and the Confederate flag has long been viewed by some as an infringement upon freedom of speech and erasing history. But what happens when that same freedom of speech is not afforded equally to all? What happens when such freedom of speech incites violence against others? What does it mean …

Lilly Endowment Grant to Provide a Bridge for Early Career Preachers

…Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative, a new program will offer a path to nurture and support 120 early career pastors over five years. The Bridge for Early Career Preachers will help nurture and support 120 new ministers during the next five years to develop their voices for faithful, imaginative, intelligent, energetic, and loving proclamation. The Bridge is being funded through …

Online Workshop: Resurrected Church — What Tomorrow’s Church May Look Like Today

…Meet Radical Welcome and Healing Hope, by Rev. John Cleghorn (Fortress, 2021). John shares original research on some of the PC(USA) denominations most dynamic congregations that center social justice in their mission. He also bears witness to his own transformation in ministry in a diverse congregation of wounded and weary God-seekers after his 25 years in business. Leader bio: Rev. …

President Blount statement on passing of Professor Emeritus Glenn Bannerman

…single academic year. And when the year was over, and the next academic year started, since no one told him not to come back and teach, he came back and taught. And kept doing that and doing that for 31 years. Glenn calling the dance on the campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary, at Lingle Hall, after the alumni luncheon during …

Started UPSem 2016: Rev. Eric Tang (MDiv 2021)

…MACE) The following is part of a series of 20 profiles that represent each year that Charlotte has been enrolling students. Pastor Shiloh and Mount Pleasant United Methodist Churches Personal Financial Representative AllState Kernersville, North Carolina Born in Singapore to Malaysian parents, Rev. Eric Tang (MDiv 2021) spent most of his childhood in Kuala Lumpur, only returning to Singapore for …

Union Seminary honors lives lost to COVID-19

To set the tone for his inauguration the next day, President-elect Joe Biden led a memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19 with church-bell ringings and light shows across the country January 19, 2021. Union Presbyterian Seminary participated by tolling bells and displaying illuminated lanterns on its Richmond and Charlotte campuses. Written on the lanterns were the …

Online Course: Womanist Social Ethics

…on-going, with electives varying year-to-year, allowing participants to complete the requirements within an extended period as needed. Courses are open to all, and no application is necessary. Interested participants will simply register for the courses, and participants can engage the courses without pursuing the program in its entirety. Each course will be capped at thirty (30) participants. Continuing education units …

Online Workshop: Teaching for Understanding & Engagement

…week.   Leader bio: The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Davis, Associate Professor Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC, is a Minister of Word and Sacrament and a Certified Christian Educator in the PCUSA. For over thirty years Becky served in congregations and on presbytery staff. She now teaches those preparing for leadership and advocacy in church and world. Her …

1,500 attend Center for Womanist Leadership inaugural gathering

…policy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, preventing burn out, children, and health, among a range of themes. I was part of a queer and queer-supportive group that looked at “Black LGBTQ Love Leading Us to Liberation.” The challenges of being ‘out’ in the church were shared. Mothers of lesbian daughters spoke movingly of supporting their daughters as best they could even if …

Dr. Gench to co-lead “Pilgrimage to the Promised Land” in Washington, D.C.

On January 8, 15, 22, and 29 Dr. Frances Taylor Gench and Kathryn Sparks will co-lead a 4-part series on “Pilgrimage to the Promised Land” at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. during the Sunday School hour. All are invited to group engagement with the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrew 11 through Bible study, embodied prayer …

“The Changing Landscape of Religious Leadership” To Be Delivered by Ken McFayden at 2019 Pastor’s School

Dean McFayden will present a lecture entitled “The Changing Landscape of Religious Leadership” as part of his participation in the 2019 Pastor’s School of Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation in Okoboji, Iowa on May 13-16, 2019. Dr. Ken McFayden is Academic Dean of the Richmond campus and Professor of Ministry and Leadership Development. …

“Wordy is the Lamb: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of John” with Professor Frances Taylor Gench

Frances Taylor Gench will lead an adult education class entitled “Wordy is the Lamb: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of John ” at Burke Presbyterian Church, Burke, Virginia. The class will meet on January 7, 2018, from 10:15-11:00 a.m. Dr. Gench is the Herbert Worth and Annie H. Jackson Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond.     …

President Blount to preach at First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, LA

On Sunday, September 16, 2018, First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, LA, will welcome Dr. Brian K. Blount to its pulpit. Dr. Blount is the President and Professor of New Testament in the Walter W. Moore and Charles E.S. Kraemer Presidential Chairs at Union Presbyterian Seminary. …

President Blount to preach at Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA

On Sunday, September 30, 2018, Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA, will welcome Dr. Brian K. Blount to its pulpit. Dr. Blount is the President and Professor of New Testament in the Walter W. Moore and Charles E.S. Kraemer Presidential Chairs at Union Presbyterian Seminary. …

Dr. Blount to Preach at Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster

President Blount will preach at Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Dr. Blount is the President and Professor of New Testament in the Walter W. Moore and Charles E.S. Kraemer Presidential Chairs at Union Presbyterian Seminary. …

Dr. Paula Parker leading workshop on “Roots Matter” at Historic Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, MD

…The Rev. Dr. Paula Owens Parker will be leading a workshop, “Roots Matter” on generational healing at the multi-day program, “Common Ground, Connected Heritage – Our American Family,” April 19-21, 2018 at Historic Sotterley Plantation, in Hollywood, Maryland. Dr. Parker is Program Associate, Center for Womanist Leadership and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond.   …

Exploring Laughter and Music in Times of Tragedy and Loss

…at Virginia Wesleyan University presents Dr. Terry Lindvall, C.S. Lewis Chair of Communication and Christian Thought and Professor of Communication at VWU, with Doug Brown, Music Director and Organist at Ginter Park Presbyterian, and Director of Music and Adjunct Instructor in Church Music at Union Presbyterian Seminary (Richmond VA) to explore laughter and music in times of tragedy and loss. …

Installation Service at Larchmont Avenue Church

Dr. Brian K. Blount will preach at the installation service for Dr. Peter Bynum at Larchmond Avenue Church.

Full-Time Installed Minister–First Presbyterian Church–Huntsville, TN

…outreach and membership development, oversee staff and programs (facilitating our congregants’ use of spiritual gifts), and actively engage in pastoral care. Compensation would include a cash salary (commensurate with experience and education), a housing allowance, and benefits. For more information about FPCH, please visit https://www.firstpreshuntsville.org/. You may view our full MDP at https://clc.pcusa.org/mdp/11099/view/. Please email us at firstpresb@highland.net if interested. …

Class of 2017 honored at commencement exercises

…Elo Leon Henderson Scholarship — Letarshia Robinson The Everett Scholarship — Jen Kirby Evans, Jackie Putnam The Eleanor Belk Scholarship Fund for Students on the Charlotte Campus — Sonjia Lee The Everett-Williams Scholarship — Mychael Dia-Bethune The Beryl B. and Charles E. S. Kraemer Scholarship — Eric Robinson, Letarshia Robinson   PHOTOS & VIDEOS Richmond Commencement   Charlotte Commencement   …

The Bridge for Early Career Preachers

APCE 2018: Touring the Presbyterian Center

BY SANDY ASARO One of the workshops that I attended at the APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators) Conference was a tour of the Presbyterian Center. Being a Clerk of Session and having been raised in the same Presbyterian church in my hometown of Port Charlotte, Florida, touring the Presbyterian Center was a must-do for me! Our tour was led …