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Travel
Opportunities for United Students, Alums, and Guests
United's Commitment to Global Education
Recognizing that we live in an increasingly globalized
world, United is committed to the global awareness and engagement
of its students. One way it fulfills this commitment is the requirement
that each student take an immersion course in global justice.
These
courses make a significant impact on students' awareness of issues
surrounding economic justice and globalization, and participants
indicate a growth in their awareness of local and worldwide diversity.
These courses also help equip students to engage issues of global
interconnectedness and interdependence as related to the church's
mission, as well as preparing them to meet the multicultural leadership
needs they might encounter in their work after seminary.
Do I have to be a United student to attend?
Trips are open to alums, friends, family and the
wider community. All trip participants must be students and register
for the course, either as an auditor or for credit. Alums of United
or other trip participants who have a seminary degree may use our Continuing
Education Audit Registration form to register for the course. Other trip participants must apply and be admitted
as non-degree students and register for the course via our standard
registration process.
For more information, contact Michelle Rodriguez in the admissions
office, 651.255.6119.
I'm a United student.
What are my options for fulfilling the Global Justice Requirement?
- Each academic year, United faculty lead two
international global immersion trips which fulfill the requirement.
- Every other year, a global immersion course
is offered in the Twin Cities area.
- Some students opt to take an independent study
course to fulfill the requirement.
For more information on the requirement and fulfillment
options, contact the registrar, Susan Hastings, 651.255.6120.
Global Justice Trips in 2013
Other Trips in 2013
Trips
Offered in the Past
CS732
Global Justice Trip to South Africa
January 4-24, 2013
A three-week
trip to Cape Town, South Africa, for January
term 2013 with Professor Chris
Smith, Professor Kim Vrudny - a United alum and professor at
the University of St. Thomas, and Richard Cogill as consultants.
Course
description
The estimated price: $5,500 (with 17 participants)
Fee inclusive of airfare and all trip expenses including meals.
Initial deposit of $200 is required to reserve your place.
Following the initial deposit of $200, the payment schedule
is:
August 1, 2012 - $2,300
October 1, 2012 - $1,700
December 1, 2012 - $1,500
This price does not include course tuition.
Theme:
Theological Reflection: AIDS, Apartheid, and the Arts of
Resistance
The course will be offered through United.
Through
analysis of works of artistic resistance, students in this course
will examine the interrelationships between two catastrophes of
the modern era in South Africa: Apartheid and AIDS. Students will
approach works of art with theological lenses to explore such themes
as lament, imago Dei, prophecy, theodicy, justice/charity, memory,
storytelling, covenant, forgiveness/reconciliation, and hope. Artistic
examples will be drawn from the visual arts (both “fine-”
and “folk-“ styles), music, literature (novel and poetry),
and film. Students will learn about the arts of resistance through
guest presentations and through tours of selected sites in Cape
Town and its surrounding townships. The course is recommended for
the Leadership Toward Racial Justice and Justice and Peace Studies concentrations and for
Theology and the Arts degree students. This trip is for United students,
but we always welcome guests.
If interested, please contact:
Chris Smith
Professor of Preaching
csmith@unitedseminary.edu
651.255.6128
CS730
Global Justice Trip to the Philippines
June 10-24, 2013
This trip offers participants an opportunity to broaden their understanding
of our global realities
as well as deepen their commitment to greater well-being in the
context of our highly globalized world. In particular, participants
will be offered the privilege to live with the Filipino people,
listen to their stories, learn about people’s movements, share
their faith and hopes, engage in dialogue about global issues, and
explore ways of global solidarity. Moreover, participants will be
exposed to the life and ministry of churches in the Philippines,
and they will have the opportunity to explore or strengthen church
partnerships.
Course
Description
Cost: $3,199.00
This includes air fare, lodging, meals, transportation in the Philippines,
honoraria, and other expenses directly related to the partnership/immersion
trip.
The schedule payment is:
November 31, 2012 - $200
January 15, 2013 - $1,000
March 15, 2013 - $1,000
April 15, 2013 - $999
For students:
This does not include
tuition fee.
Non-students:
This does not include registration
or auditor fees. Non-students should be aware that the trip is an
academic course, and participants benefit from and are expected
to complete readings and share in discussions led by faculty and
guest speakers.
Note: Price is based
on the airfare cost of $1,800 (summer peak season price) and
a minimum of 10 participants.
If interested, please contact:
Eleazar S. Fernandez
Professor of Constructive Theology
efernandez@unitedseminary.edu
651.255.6131
Iona Pilgrimage*
October 4-12, 2013
Thank your so much for your vibrant interest in the Pilgrimage to Scotland and the Isle of Iona. We are excited that registrations for the pilgrimage are coming in. We also want to let you know that the deadline for registering is fast approaching. The official deadline is Friday, February 22, but we will be accepting registrations through next week. If you would like to attend and are facing financial challenges, a payment plan can be worked out. Please speak to any of us. If you are student, see Martha about possible financial assistance.
If you intend to register for the pilgrimage but for some reason are unable to get the form and deposit to CrossingBorders by this Friday, February 22, please contact Lori Moline at CrossingBorders to make arrangements. She would like to take your participation into account as she manages the Iona hotel reservations. Contact Lori at 952.995.9585 or info@crossingboarders.com.
Click here for the pilgrimage brochure and registration form. Please feel free to share this with others who may be interested in the pilgrimage.
We continue to work on the pilgrimage programming and are so excited to share this sacred journey with you.
Blessings,
Martha Postlethwaite, 651.633.4311, mpostlethwaite@unitedseminary.edu
Ramona Scarpace, 612.201.6634, Rscarpace@comcast.net
*This is not a global justice trip nor is it for credit or attached to any United course.
Trips
offered in the past
Palestine-Israel
Global Justice Trip
June 18-July 2, 2012
Co-leaders:
Dr. Eleazar S. Fernandez,
professor of constructive theology
Dr. Peter Makari, area executive,
Middle East and Europe, Global Ministries
The Palestine-Israel Travel Seminar was an expression
of the church’s commitment to the formation of seminary students,
clergy, and lay leaders who embody a greater understanding of our
global realities, the interconnections of our lives, and the mission
of the global church. The trip provided an opportunity for participants
to see closely the Israeli-Palestinian context and listen to people’s
stories of survival, struggle, and hopes. Part of the trip was engaging
in conversations with individuals who have devoted themselves to
the ministry of dialogue and peace-building. Moreover, there were
opportunities to visit holy sites that are central to the major
religious faiths in the area.
CS746
Globalization on Our Doorstep
Summer 2012
Course
description
Chiapas
Global Justice Trip
January 16-26, 2012

Faculty Trip Leader: Chris
Smith
Assistant Leader: Don Christensen
In-country Trip Leader: Teresa Ortiz, a Twin Cities
Mexican educator who lived and worked in Chiapas
Description: This trip focused
on the southern most state of Mexico - Chiapas. During our time in Chiapas
we visited co-operatives, ecological projects, and religious communities,
worshiped in Acteal with Las Abejas, and spent time with some of
the Zapatista leaders. We experienced
the pervasive strength of Mayan indigenous culture and spirituality, and we met individuals and communities working for change and liberation, including:
1. The ongoing struggle for autonomy and liberation of the Zapatistas
2. The active non-violence strategies of Las Abejas
3. The
Liberation Theology influence of Bishop Samuel Ruiz who served the
Diocese of San Cristobal for over 30 years. |
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Reflections from
past trip
participants
"I encountered the many
aspects of Christ in my spiritual journey to the Philippines.
The beauty of the islands and the amazing hospitality of the
Filipino people opened my eyes to the hope of the kingdom
in the midst of oppression. I am forever changed in who I
am, my relationship with God, and my ministry."
—Mickey Olson '07
Duluth, Minn.
"On our trip
to the Philippines, I was immersed in a culture deeply rooted
and connected to the land; they hold onto hope, live their
faith, and love one another. I experience transformation by
being in community with a people that struggle for justice
and peace everyday of their lives. It was a mountain top experience!"
—Rev. Karen J. Aitkens
Bethel UCC
Kansas City, Mo.
"Today, we had breakfast
where we are lodging and then watched a presentation with
a brief overview of Filipino history. After that we walked
to the mall two blocks away and had lunch. I had stuffed squid,
a crab dish, some kind of stewed pork and pancit (noodles).
I also bought some durian fruit for later to share with my
adventurous travel mates."
—Laura Thompson
United M.Div. student |
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