Page

Union Seminary D.Min. program accepting applications

New prerequisite standards for admission announced RICHMOND, VA (September 21, 2020) – Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program is accepting applications for the Charlotte campus for the 2021-2022 academic year. In June 2020, the membership of the Association of Theological Schools adopted new Standards of Accreditation which became effective July 1. These new standards have changed prerequisites for …

Read More

Page

Alumnus, longtime Presbyterian minister J. Harold McKeithen dies

…on January 27, after a recent illness. He had served on the pastoral staff of Williamsburg Presbyterian for 14 years. Previously, he was the pastor and head of staff for the Hidenwood Presbyterian Church in Newport News for more than 20 years. There will be a Memorial Service at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. on February 6, 2019 obituary …

Read More

Page

Union awarded $1M to help faith leaders address America’s cultural divide

…our public engagement, and then, from that deep dive, go forth to be the church in the world.” Over the past year, several events have escalated the urgency of engaging in public theology. The most prominent of these is the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted societal inequities, as evidenced by the fact, for example, that communities of color in the US …

Read More

Page

Susan Blanchard called as first director of Baptist House of Studies at Union Seminary

…13 years prior to her arrival at UPSem, she worked in Baptist settings with students who are now serving in Baptist ministry positions throughout Virginia and beyond. Life experiences allowed her to live in central, southern, southwestern, and northern Virginia where she attended and preached in Baptist churches, building relationships with parishioners and ministry staff. Union’s BHS program was established …

Read More

Page

UPSem announces new Master of Arts in Theological Studies program

RICHMOND, VA (March 6, 2018) — Union Presbyterian Seminary’s new Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.) program has begun admitting students for the 2018-19 academic year. The program will prepare graduates to respond to complex realities in a global context through academic exploration; to theologically and ethically engage the changing world, especially as it shapes and is shaped by …

Read More

Page

New grant to study diversity, equity, and inclusion in preaching and homiletics

…the academy’s emphasis on “unmasking white preaching” began. In 2018, the AOH launched a multi-year effort to understand and act upon the ways that whiteness has systematically impacted the research, practice, and teaching of preaching, especially since AOH’s leadership and membership has traditionally privileged white, mainline Protestant voices since its founding. “We are grateful to The Wabash Center for its …

Read More

Page

Currie Lecture to focus on pandemics and Protestant missions

RICHMOND, VA (April 17, 2020) — This year’s Currie Family Lecture is “I Weep Because I Have A Human Heart: Pandemics, Endemic Infections, and Early U.S. Protestant Missions,” with Dr. Erskine Clarke. The Currie Family Lecture began through a gift from Thomas Currie Jr. and is delivered annually through the Seminary’s Charlotte Campus. Dr. Clarke’s lecture will be held over …

Read More

Page

Jane Davis Rourk, former Union Seminary trustee, dies

RICHMOND, VA (January 4, 2021) – Mrs. Jane Davis Rourk, Former Union Trustee for 11 years (1/1/1994 to 12/31/2005) passed away on January 3, 2020, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She also served on the seminary’s President Advisory Board from 2005 to 2018 and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC. “Jane was a remarkable woman. Her …

Read More

Page

April 4 forum will address legacy of Dr. Katie Cannon and womanist ethics

…April 4, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the seminary’s Lake Chapel, 1106 Westwood Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 23227. Presenters at the Corine Lytle Cannon Colloquy will include Dr. Emilie M. Townes, Dr. Valerie Elverton Dixon, Dr. Charlene Jin Lee, Dr. Peter J. Paris, Dr. Angela D. Sims, Rev. Andrew Taylor-Troutman, and Dr. Linda E. Thomas. For more information, 19-UPS-018 Colloquy FINAL …

Read More

Page

Union Seminary awarded grant to map children’s faith formation

…and traditional publishing houses, the persistence of schooling models for children’s ministries, and a lack of parental confidence render current faith formation practices inadequate. “If children learn religious stories are interesting but have no practical meaning in their life, they’ll outgrow them and seek other stories that are more helpful,” said Yust. “Our job is making those stories connect with …

Read More

Page

New grant to study how theological education can be more intercultural

…their cultural background,” he said. Marzouk is an Egyptian Presbyterian whose research interests include thinking theologically about monsters in the Bible, Ancient Near East, and popular culture; Constructing the Other in the Old Testament; Middle Eastern Christian Hermeneutics; and Immigration and the Bible. Leadership Education at Duke University aims to create lasting change in U.S. congregations by supporting Christian leaders …

Read More

Page

The Word of History

By Rev. Dr. Audrey Todd (Union PSCE, M.Div., M.A.C.E ’10) Life has a toll. Life on edge. Living with hypersensitivity. Living life under suspicion. One’s humanity never affirmed. Always having to prove oneself. Living life with one’s hands up to prove one’s innocence. Trauma to the soul. Living small so as not to offend. Living as though one needs permission. …

Read More

News

Director of Student Ministries–Trinity United Methodist Church–Richmond, VA

…a vibrant and self-evident faith in Jesus Christ, the ability to relate well to both students and their families and be a team player on the church staff. Prior experience in Student Ministry is beneficial and a background check is required before hiring. Salary and benefits will be based on experience and qualifications. Resume, cover letter, and references to studentsearch@trinityumc.net. …

Read More

News

Student calls for new normal after fatal police shooting in Charlotte

…been ignored and hushed. Normal is my blindness to my white privilege and majority. No, I do not want normal. I want a NEW Charlotte – one that is just for all.   B. Mitchell is a Master of Divinity student at the Charlotte campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary and a first-grade teacher at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary in south Charlotte. …

Read More

News

Katie Geneva Cannon Scholarship Fund merit scholarship available

The Katie Geneva Cannon Scholarship Fund awards a merit scholarship to an incoming degree-seeking woman of African descent enrolled in the Th.M. program (Richmond campus) or M.Div., M.A.C.E., or dual programs (Richmond and Charlotte campuses) who demonstrates strong academic achievement and shows genuine promise for womanist leadership that is dedicated to transforming the academy, the church, and the community. Scholarships …

Read More

News

Finding God in the pandemic

BY DANIEL MENSAH AWUAH We see God’s grace at work in crises. In African cosmology, for example, it is believed that pandemics are a punishment from God, and only libation prayers with specific rituals aimed at pacifying the gods can avert the situation. As a Christian, I do not agree that God orchestrates pandemics. God is generous to all humanity …

Read More

Degree Program

Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Public Theology

Students in this program plan to make public theology (i.e., theology serving the common good) a significant part of their ministry, whether or not they seek ordination. Dual degrees graduates may serve as pastors and/or workers in various forms of public ministry, including advocacy work for causes such as those related to public policy, ecological concerns, economic justice, gender issues, …

Read More

Degree Program

Master of Arts in Christian Education/Master of Arts in Public Theology

Students in this program plan to make both Christian Education and Public Theology (i.e., theology serving the common good) a significant part of their ministry. Dual degrees graduates may serve as Christian Educators and/or workers in various forms of public ministry, including advocacy work for various causes such as those related to public policy, ecological concerns, economic justice, gender issues, …

Read More

Degree Program

Certificate Program in Public Theology

…public policy, ecological concerns, economic justice, gender issues, inter-religious dialogue, and issues of race and reconciliation, but who do not wish to pursue a degree program. The program consists of 12 credit hours (3 courses in relation to the work of the Centers and a travel seminar). Cost: $500 per course. If you would like more information about the Certificate …

Read More