Written by: United Theological Seminary June 28, 2018

Witnessing the Power of Community: Claire Klein on the Poor People’s Campaign.

“Can you tell me about your theology of protest?” Rev. Ashley Harness, my minister at Lyndale United Church of Christ asked Rev. Dr. William Barber at a planning meeting for the revival of the Poor People’s Campaign.

He took a deep breath and responded, “I follow a convicted felon who was arrested and incarcerated because he stood for the poor and oppressed. If I claim him as my Lord and he asks us to take up his cross, I have to follow him this way.”1

In 1967, a year before he was assassinated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. refocused his civil rights campaign to be about economic justice and human rights.2 Today the term “intersectionality” often gets used to describe how various issues affect the other. Dr. King understood that eradicating poverty for all races would mean a better life for everyone. He also understood that it would take the transformation of society to succeed. His plan included a new march on Washington, demonstrations, and national nonviolent civil disobedience.

The revival of this campaign uplifted the original pillars Dr. King cited – economic justice, racial justice, and demilitarization as well as adding environmental justice. The 2018 Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) was kicked off on Mother’s Day and lasted for 40 days. Each week focused on a different theme and employed many of the same tactics as the original actions. Each of the 29 states participating in PPC partnered with organizations already doing this work including religious communities and nonprofit justice organizations.

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While I had learned about Rev. Dr. King in school, there is obviously much left out of our textbooks. In preparation for this revival, my church held weekly education classes and discussions, preached about this work, and attended trainings held by the PPC. It was here that I was able to grapple with what my participation in the actions might be and listen for what my call might be.

As a final project in a class on Jesus led by Dr. Demian Wheeler at United, I wrote about the possible historic and political actions of this man I have chosen to follow. With Rev. Barber’s words ringing in my ears, I felt pushed to step out from the sidelines and easy “Facebook activism” to be more actively involved.

When I arrived at the trainings, it was encouraging to see United graduates and professors sitting beside me. Their presence helped me commit to attending the rallies at the state capitol. As we posted accusations of “Murderer” and “Rapists” on the statue of Christopher Columbus on the capitol mall, I felt the support of my pastors, Pastor Ashley and Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel. As cars ripped through lines of those willing to be arrested in front of the Whipple Building, blocking access to ICE trials, I sang and chanted with my professors from United Seminary and other members of my church.

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Through this experience, I witnessed the power of community. I was transformed by the willingness of those to “take up their cross” and follow the example of Jesus. For, indeed, none are free until all are free.

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January 22, 2026

Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on Community Response Efforts

These are fraught days for us. Those who call the Twin Cities home persist under the pall of a federal occupation, bracing each day for word of a new atrocity. In the weeks since an ICE agent killed Renee Good, we have seen the good people of Minneapolis and St. Paul show up for one another as armed federal agents patrol our communities, violating due process and cruelly abducting thousands of people. I think often of our friends and neighbors—including some members of the United community—as they live under the acute terror ICE has wrought on their neighborhoods. Many rely on the aid of a trusted few to meet their basic needs. Facing an oppressive force, our communities have turned outward with resilience, toward one another, embodying anew the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” I have been deeply moved by the courage of my neighbors and, in particular, United’s students, alums, trustees, and faculty and staff. They model solidarity despite extreme cold, attending vigils, leading music, creating art, and keeping watch with whistles over their neighborhoods while ICE patrols their streets. Chaplains involved in interfaith organizations are supporting local demonstrations and assisting in de-escalation efforts. Lay leaders, prompted to care for their vulnerable neighbors, are picking up groceries, taking kids to school, and meeting material needs in a vast network of mutual aid. Indeed, this is servant leadership. This week, clergy and faith leaders of myriad traditions are answering MARCH’s call to resist this importunate occupation and bear witness to its harm. With members of our United community engaged in rapid response efforts, the seminary will be closed on Friday, January 23. And, in solidarity with fellow clergy and elected officials, I reaffirm my call that ICE must immediately end its terrorizing of the Twin Cities, leave Minnesota altogether, and bring to justice the agent who killed Ms. Good. Social transformation is one of United’s longstanding pillars, and we are seeing the real-world witness of faith and community leaders equipped for the work of justice and peace. In the words of Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, director of our Social Transformation Program, “Faith leaders are shaping Minnesota’s response to be highly ethical and effective.” The common good, though under grave threat, is in the committed stewardship of our very best. In the days ahead, may we be courageous in our convictions for the love and dignity of our neighbors. Rev. Molly T. Marshall, Phd President About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to train leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him), Director of Marketing and Communications United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities press@unitedseminary.edu • 651-255-6138

Lauren Busey (’07) Ministers to a New Beloved Community at Pickledilly Skokie

Lauren Busey (’07) grew up in the Lutheran church, earned an undergraduate degree from Luther College, and thought she would probably attend a Lutheran seminary. Then, at a Luther College women’s retreat, Rev. Dr. Christie Cozad Nueger (’80)— Professor Emerita of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Theology (1992–2005)—was the featured speaker and knew Lauren’s campus pastor. “So,” Lauren remembers, “we just kind of got to talking, and within a couple of weeks, I was enrolled at United.” United “was a good fit,” Lauren asserts. She found a welcoming community of fellow students and treasured professors. Those who had the greatest impact include Rev. Dr. Jann Cather Weaver (Associate Professor Emerita of Worship, and Theology and the Arts, 2001–2012), Dr. Marilyn Salmon† (Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology, 1989–2014), and Dr. Carolyn Pressler (Professor Emerita of Biblical Interpretation, 1990–2020). After seminary, Lauren accepted a call back home in Evanston, Illinois, at the church where she grew up, Trinity Lutheran Church. Despite being a bit apprehensive about serving as the director of Faith Formation at her home church, Lauren found that the parishioners were warmly welcoming and supportive. She’s been there ever since and notes that the flexibility of the position allowed for a positive work-life balance. Lauren and her wife are raising two children. Just this year, however, Lauren, along with her wife and two business partners, embarked on a new venture—and in February 2025, the four co-owners opened a new state-of-the-art pickleball court in Skokie, Illinois. Dubbed Pickledilly Skokie, the new indoor space features 11.5 courts under high ceilings, lockers, a lounge area, and a pro shop. Plus, the venue is in the same complex as Sketchbook Brewing Company and has abundant free parking. So what happened? “I think my wife would say that I’ve always been the big idea person,” Lauren explains. Usually, she continues, Amy “nods and smiles and keeps on going,” but this time she agreed with the idea. Both Lauren and Amy are avid pickleball players, and Lauren says she found that the activity was much more of a “community-based sport.” Community was the key. As Lauren stated in a July 18, 2025, interview for Ryan Glatzhofer’s The Locals: Stories of Courageous Entrepreneurs, “One of the things that has always been a passion of mine is bringing people together.” Going a step further, she said more recently, “One of our pillars is that this is a safe space, and we are welcoming here.” How did United prepare Lauren for entrepreneurship? “United was really helpful to me in expanding my worldview and my understanding of diversity and not assuming you know where people are coming from.” As for the connection to ministry, Lauren asserts, “We’re still grounded in the same way of taking care of people, and loving people, and meeting them where they are.” __________________________ † of blessed memory

Images of Hope: Advent in Art

Art has the tremendous power to restore us in a time when our world seems to make no sense and we need a moment of respite and encouragement from our daily struggles. A single photograph of a flower or a laughing child can buoy our spirit to carry on. (more…)