Community Programming

The mission of Community Programming at United Theological Seminary seeks to sustain religious leaders (clergy and lay) and, for the wider community, serve as a resource of theological inquiry, spiritual formation, and ethical development.

Whether you’re looking for Continuing Education credits or simply feeding your soul, add a United event to your calendar.

SPRING 2013 COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS AND OTHER EVENTS

• Summer Institute in Spirituality and the Arts - June 11-14
• Out in Gospel - June 21

PAST EVENTS

• "Readings and Reflections on Love" - Evenings at the Bigelow: Art and Soul, with Greta Oglesby - February 5
• "The Gospel According to Jazz," Kirk Whalum - February 8
• Writing as Mindfulness, Sam King - February 19, 26; March 5, 12, 26
• Best-Selling Author William Cope Moyers on Recovery and Spirituality - March 14
• Poetry and Preaching, Susan Deborah (Sam) King - April 9
• Book Event, Eleazar Fernandez - April 16
• Book Event, Pamela Wynn & The Laurel Poetry Collective - April 30
• Storytelling for Preachers, Kevin Kling - May 7
• Certification School in Progressive Youth Ministry - May 19-24

Click here to see a list of all public events happening at the seminary.

PAST EVENTS

KEVIN KLING
STORYTELLING FOR PREACHERS
TUESDAY, MAY 7
9:00 AM-3:00 PM
For preachers and storytellers of all kinds!

The power of stories can be transformational. In sermon writing and in storytelling, stories are used to communicate a message of justice, love, grace, or wisdom. In this workshop, master storyteller Kevin Kling shares his reflections and insights about how to tell a story that is effective and engaging.

Kevin Kling is an author, playwright, and storyteller whose plays and adaptations have been performed around the world. He is best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and his hilarious and tender stories about life, family, and living in Minnesota. A prolific writer and vigorous performer, Kling travels around the globe to numerous storytelling festivals and residencies and has been invited to perform at the acclaimed National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., for several years. Kling has released a number of compact disc collections of his stories and published three books: “The Dog Says How,” “Holiday Inn,” and “Big Little Brother.”

Fee: $55.00
Students: $20.00
Location: Strobel Room (McMillan 209)

Questions? Contact Renee Flesner, 651.255.6138.

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BOOK EVENT
ELEAZAR FERNANDEZ
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
12:15 Lunch Discussion

Join us for a lunch discussion to celebrate the recent publication of New Overtures: Asian North American Theology in the 21st Century, essays in honor of Fumitaka Matsuoka and edited by Eleazar Fernandez, professor of constructive theology at United.

The respondents will be Cathy Pino, United M.Div. student, Barbara A. Holmes, United president, and special guest Nantawan Lewis. Lewis is professor and chair of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Studies at Metropolitan State University; interim chair of the Steering Committee at the Association of Asian/North American Theological Educators; editor of Revolution of Spirit; co-editor of Sister Struggling in the Spirit and Remembering Conquest: Feminist/Womanist Perspectives on Religion, Colonization and Sexual Violence; and the author of many articles on religion, sex trafficking and sexual violence against Asian and Asian American women.

Please bring your lunch to the discussion. Available at the Context Café.

Fee: No charge
Location: Strobel Room (McMillan 209)

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BOOK EVENT
PAMELA WYNN & THE LAUREL POETRY COLLECTIVE
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
11:35 Chapel Service
12:15 Lunch Discussion

April is Poetry Month, so honor this special time by celebrating Body of Evidence, edited by United alum and adjunct professor Pamela Wynn. Body of Evidence is the final publication of the Laurel Poetry Collective and includes the reflections of each member on their relationship with poetry and their experience as part of the Collective.

This event begins with a chapel service on poetry and spirituality and continues with a luncheon discussion with Pam and other members of the Laurel Collective. Lunch is available for purchase in the Context Café.

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POETRY AND PREACHING
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
9:00 AM-3:00 PM

In this workshop, participants will discover how poetry can become a resource for both the preacher and for preaching. Poet Sam King will share poetry with a spiritual dimension that can deepen understanding in sermons based on biblical texts or serve as texts themselves for sermonic inspiration. Working with explicit or implicit themes, she will invite us to widen our acquaintance and appreciation of modern and contemporary poetry. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to draw on poetry to nurture their own inner lives and find it provides a well of refreshment in the very demanding roles of preacher and pastor.

Susan Deborah (Sam) King teaches writing at various institutions including the University of Minnesota and the Loft Literary Center. Formerly a Presbyterian minister and psychotherapist, King leads retreats on creativity and spirituality and is the author of Tabernacle: Poems of an Island, One Breasted Woman, and, her most recent publication, Bog Orchids: Island Poems.

Fee: $55.00
Students: $20.00
Location: Strobel Room (McMillan 209)
Questions: Renee Flesner, 651.255.6138

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BEST-SELLING AUTHOR WILLIAM COPE MOYERS
ON RECOVERY AND SPIRITUALITY
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
7:30 PM
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Spend an evening with William Cope Moyers, addiction and recovery insider and expert, as he reflects on the question, "Now what?," for addicts and their loved ones along every step of the journey through contemplation, intervention, treatment and recovery. A riveting speaker, Moyers will also talk about the role of spirituality within the context of 12 step recovery.

William C. Moyers is vice president for public affairs and community relations at Hazelden; he is committed to eliminating barriers to recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs by carrying the message and addressing public policy. Moyers brings a wealth of professional expertise and an intimate personal understanding to communities across the nation, using his own experiences to highlight the power of addiction and the power of recovery.

Fee: $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door
Students: No charge
Location: Bigelow Chapel
Questions: Renee Flesner, 651.255.6138

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WRITING AS MINDFULNESS
TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY 19, 26; MARCH 5, 12, 26
1:30-3:00 PM
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In this multi-week class, you are invited to take a time apart during Lent to delve into writing as a spiritual practice. Led by popular local poet and writer Sam King, sharpen your attention, paying homage to writing as a form of prayer and meditation. Working together and as individuals, see your writing develop and change as it becomes a deeper form of spiritual practice, providing not only insights and understanding, but also a tool to carry with you into your daily life and work.

Susan Deborah (Sam) King teaches writing at various institutions including the Loft Literary Center. Formerly a Presbyterian minister and psychotherapist, King leads retreats on creativity and spirituality and is the author of Tabernacle: Poems of an Island, One Breasted Woman, and, her most recent publication, Bog Orchids: Island Poems.

Fee: $70.00
Students/Seniors: $35.00
Location: Art Studio
Questions: Renee Flesner, 651.255.6138

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EVENINGS AT THE BIGELOW: ART AND SOUL*
presents
“READINGS AND REFLECTIONS ON LOVE”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
7:30 PM
FEATURING GRETA OGLESBY
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This unique evening of music and readings celebrates the universal themes of Love. This year’s musical headliner will be acclaimed actress and singer Greta Oglesby. A featured actor at both the Guthrie and Penumbra theaters, Greta has played a starring role in productions such as “Carolyn, or Change,” “The Amen Corner,” “Black Nativity,” and “Gem of the Ocean.” In addition to her skills as an actress, Greta is a jazz singer who has performed at the Dakota Jazz Club and the Capri Theater singing Gospel songs and musical pieces from Broadway.

Greta will be accompanied on piano by Sanford Moore in an evening that promises to be a room full of Love, with added readings by United board member Benjamin Oehler, architect Joan Soranno (who designed our award-winning Bigelow Chapel), and performer Dennis Spears. “Readings and Reflections on Love” celebrates all kinds of Love—from romantic love to love of family, earth, God, pets, and more.

This popular annual event is an enjoyable and magical celebration. Previous performers include Leslie Ball, Ruth MacKenzie, Kevin Kling and Simone Perrin, and Lorie Line.

Fee: $15.00
Students/Seniors: $10.00
Location: Bigelow Chapel
Questions: Contact Renee Flesner, 651.255.6138

This program is partially funded by a gift to the Wilson Yates Religion and the Arts Endowment in honor of Eugene Jaberg ’54, professor emeritus of communication, for his contributions to religion and the arts.

*EVENINGS AT THE BIGELOW: ART AND SOUL
The Bigelow Chapel at United Theological Seminary embodies in wood, glass, and stone the deep connection between the arts and spirituality. This series explores that link, showcasing the arts as sacred expression through music, literature, visual arts, and performance. Join us for these evenings filled with art and soul as we look at the arts as seen through the lens of spirituality.