Congregational Corner: Time to Slow Down

…a cup of coffee and a devotional before we rush to get the kids out the door each morning. Maybe we can take a few minutes to sit in the Sanctuary, praying for those on hearts and just sitting in the silence and comfort of God’s embrace. Maybe we can sit and look out at the world, listening to the…

Tricia Vesely: Finding Union, Handstands, and Hebrew

…balance class. For Tricia Vesely, finding Union in 2005 helped her to find a path for her future. She found her calling to be a professor while studying and teaching at Union. “Once I started teaching, I knew this is really what I want to do.” Top photo: Dr. Tricia Vesely doing a handstand in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park…

Why Is The Church Silent On Confederate Statues?

…of these monuments and what really happened should have people running back into their sanctuaries after worship, crying out, “What must I do to be saved?” It is time for all Christians, but especially the Christians who worship in the shadows of these statues, to open their mouths and take a stand against the wrongs committed both by our commonwealth…

“How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.” Psalm 111:2 (NLT)

BY SANDRA C. WILLIAMS (M.Div/MACE,’06) Have you ever stopped and pondered just how GREAT God is? No matter what conclusion you draw while pondering, the depth and breadth of God’s goodness is evident in every aspect of our lives and in every realm of this world in which we reside. The simplest things in creation can push one to plunge…

Loss, lament, and gratitude in the aftermath of Florence

…the oldest Presbyterian structure in North Carolina, was spared a direct hit. The sanctuary was fine, but 10 classrooms were flooded, a section of the church’s pre-school roof caved in, and a tree was leaning against the fellowship hall. The church’s overall physical structure, though, was okay. “So many members of the congregation lost everything, said Hawkins, “and some of…

Congregational Corner: Where is the Kingdom of God?

…preach on the current events and that is what you seek, ask them if you can help lead a discussion group. If your pastor prays for something you disagree with, ask them if you can chat over coffee. If your parishioner storms out of the sanctuary during worship, call them and ask if you can share a meal. If your…

Solo Pastor–First Presbyterian–Ardmore, OK

…located on I-35. Just 90 minutes to Dallas/Ft. Worth and 90 minutes to Oklahoma City. We have a rich history and a vibrant downtown. We are on the Amtrak line from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth. It began to grow in 1887 when the Santa Fe Railway came through. Ardmore is the county seat of Carter County. When considering a…

Sturgis, SD First Presbyterian Church Position

Holy-Comforter-CLT-Youth-Minister

Is Gun Ownership a God-Given Right?

…people to gun violence, including suicides, homicides, and accidents. In 2020 alone—likely the worst year in our nation’s history with gun violence—we lost 45,222 people. Let that sink in. These numbers are far greater than the 2,977 people who died on 9/11, and we were so up in arms that we started the longest war in American history. These numbers…

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Dorothee Tripodi called to Union Seminary faculty

RICHMOND, VA (February 24, 2022) – Union Presbyterian Seminary has called Rev. Dr. Dorothee Tripodi to serve as Director of Supervised Ministry and Vocational Planning and Assistant Professor of Supervised Ministry on the Richmond campus. After earning her Bachelor of Arts at San Diego State University, Dr. Tripodi received her Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Union Presbyterian…

2022 Graduate Study Fellowships Announced

…a provision in his will in 1926 “for the establishment of a Fellowship of Graduate Study.” The fellowship is awarded by the Faculty to a member of the graduating class on the ground of distinguished merit and exceptional promise. Jabriel Hasan, Richmond Campus The Martha O. and Fred R. Stair Fellowship This award was established in 1981 by anonymous gifts…

William Klein, former trustee, dies

…1996 until very recently. His two sons, William M. Klein (’81) and David A. Klein (’83) also graduated from Union. UPDATE: The memorial service will be streamed April 24, 11 a.m. Only pastors George Anderson and Elizabeth Link will be in the sanctuary. Links to the service can be found on the Second Presbyterian Church website and YouTube channel. OBITUARY…

President Blount statement on passing of Professor Emeritus Glenn Bannerman

…educator in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Glenn also worked in municipal recreation. Glenn founded the Bannerman Family Thanksgiving Folk Dance Camp. Along with his long-time service on the faculty of Union Presbyterian Seminary, he served as visiting faculty at San Francisco Theological Seminary. He served as staff at the Summer Fest Conference in Northern Ireland, conference leader at the Montreat…

Statement from President Blount on the death of George Floyd

…and in the sanctuary. Out in the world, on the streets of their cities, in the corridors of their power. No, this evil of enduring American racism is not just a Christian problem. But for a people who claim to follow a Jesus who died on a cross for all people, and whom we claim reigns in heaven interceding with…

Statement from President Blount on the passing of Freda Gardner

…made a point to remain in touch. As Moderator of the 211th General Assembly, she invited me to preach at the Assembly in San Jose, California. Ever the mentor, she explained that she wanted me to have broader exposure to the larger church. Upon my call to Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary),…

Statement from President Blount on passing of former professor Patrick Miller

…spent his childhood and youth in San Antonio, Texas, and Atlanta. After graduating from Davidson College in 1956, he enrolled in Union Theological Seminary in Virginia where he met Mary Ann Sudduth from Louisville, Kentucky. Pat and Mary Ann were married in 1958. Following graduation from Union, they journeyed together to Harvard University where Pat earned the Ph.D. degree. As…

Union Seminary announces new admissions directors

…professional at Georgia State University. She is a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In her spare time, she loves hiking and kayaking and refers to nature as a sanctuary. Both her sense of call to ministry and her love for the outdoors developed while working at Montreat Conference Center as a Clubs camp counselor and intern. Burt…

Professor emeritus, church musician David McCormick dies

…for 24 years. McCormick was surrounded by family when he died, according to his wife Sherry who sang in the church’s choir. “David’s seven decades as a church musician enriched the lives of those in his many choirs,” she posted on Facebook. “I’m sure he will be conducting heavenly choirs soon. Rest well, I love you!” David W. McCormick, left,…

Union to hold Seminary for a Day Sept 28

…Hate Rachel S. Baard, Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics We live in an era in which it seems that hate has become mainstream. We see neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville shouting “Jews will not replace us”; we see houses of worship attacked, whether it be synagogues in Pittsburgh or San Diego, African American churches in Louisiana, mosques in New Zealand,…