Faculty

July 11, 2024
Announcements Faculty

United Welcomes Louisville Institute Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Jennifer Maidrand

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, July 11, 2024 — United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is excited to announce that it has welcomed another Louisville Institute Postdoctoral Fellow—Dr. Jennifer (“Jen”) Maidrand—for its 2024–25 and 2025–26 academic years. Dr. Maidrand, who started her two-year fellowship July 1, is our Visiting Assistant Professor of Bible, Culture, and Interpretation. An accomplished scholar, educator, and activist, Maidrand holds a PhD in Bible and Cultures from Drew University. For her dissertation, “Excavating Promised Land: The Geopolitics of Scripturalization in Palestine-Israel,” she earned the Rabbi Dr. Sheldon J. Weltman Prize for Excellence in Biblical Studies. Her MA in Theological Studies, also from Drew University, focused on religion and ecology. Professionally, Maidrand has served with Global Ministries (UCC) in Palestine and has robust experience working with an array of churches across the US concerning education and advocacy related to the Middle East. She is a member of the United Church of Christ and is committed to fostering interfaith and intercultural community education and dialogue around sacred texts, the earth, and social justice. At United, Maidrand will teach four courses per year—two in the fall term and two in the spring. Based in Ohio, all of her courses will be taught through distance learning, but Maidrand will commute to United for key community events and maintain a faculty advisory load during her fellowship. “We are delighted to have Dr. Maidrand joining us as a Louisville Institute Fellow,” attests Dean Kyle Roberts. “A biblical scholar focusing on the intersection of Bible, culture, and interpretation, she fills an important role in our curriculum. She will teach introductory courses on religious texts and biblical interpretation, as well as upper-level electives that address crucial issues of geopolitical concern and elucidate ways in which politics and interpretation intertwine. Ministers and spiritual leaders need the kind of biblical and cultural literacy she will offer in these complex and contested times.” President Molly T. Marshall agrees. “Dr. Maidrand brings excellence in biblical studies,” she asserts, “and she connects her scholarship to pressing concerns in our time, e.g., land issues in Israel/Palestine. United has a storied history with Louisville Institute Fellows, and our faculty is adept at mentoring emerging professors in theological education. We are grateful to welcome her to this thriving community.” For her part, Maidrand expresses her gratitude for the opportunity. As she writes, “I am thrilled to be joining the United faculty as a Louisville Fellow. United's commitment to prepare leaders to steward movements of peace and justice, in their faith communities and beyond, is one I share wholeheartedly. I look forward to accompanying students in this part of their journey in hopes that my own interests in contextual biblical interpretation, decolonial methodologies, and ecumenical peacebuilding in Palestine-Israel will be of service to their formation.” Welcome, Dr. Jen Maidrand, to our faculty and to our United community!  About United Founded by the nascent United Church of Christ as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the cutting edge of progressive theological thought leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to train leaders who dismantle systems of oppression, explore multi-faith spirituality, and push the boundaries of knowledge. Contact Nathanial Green (he/him), Director of Marketing and Communications United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities press@unitedseminary.edu • (651) 255-6138 About the Louisville Institute Funded by the Religion Division of Lilly Endowment, Louisville Institute awards grants and fellowships to those who lead and study North American religious institutions, practices, and movements, advancing scholarship to strengthen church, academy, and wider society.

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July 2, 2024
Announcements Faculty

Remembering Rev. Dr. Don White, Professor Emeritus

Appointed to replace Theophilus Hilgeman, Don became the assistant professor of historical theology at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 1965. He was from Youngstown, Ohio, and he received his BA from Berea College in Kentucky, his BD from Chicago Theological Seminary, and his MA and PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Originally ordained as a Presbyterian, Don would later transfer his standing to the United Church of Christ (UCC). During his 37-year tenure at United, Don taught both historical theology and constructive theology. At his retirement in 2002, he noted that his favorite courses were process theology (which he began teaching in 1966) and popular culture (a course he taught starting in 1977). A former colleague, Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel, professor emeritus, recalls being “struck with his keen mind… I was pleased to find him on the United faculty, which I joined in 1970. Don was especially good at teaching process theology and helping students transition from traditional theologies needing to be deconstructed and then reconstructed.” Mary Kay Huntley Sauter (’95) fondly remembers Don for “Theology.” She continues, “Process theology is my theology because of him. Very grateful.” While a member of United’s faculty, Don worked closely with Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates, president emeritus, first as a colleague, and then as dean. Reflecting on his passing, Wilson shares, “Don White came to United soon after the school had been created, and here, he spent his career not only as a popular professor, but as one of the early faculty who helped the school define its role in theological education.” Wilson continues, “He taught the history of Christianity and pressed students to understand not only the theology of the churches that developed over those 2,000 years, but those churches’ institutional lives and the roles they played in shaping the cultures of which they were a part…. For those students who worked with him, he will still be remembered for the vital role he played in their lives. We are grateful for his time with us and mourn his passing.”  It is a testament to Don’s enduring connection with students that both Phil Johnson and Ted Meads (’71) were still in touch 40 years later. As Ted wrote to Don after reviewing Don’s explanation of process theology concerning United’s recently highlighted 1967–1968 football team, “Your response to Phil reinforced why I so thoroughly enjoyed your classes so many years ago.” Alum Rev. Casey Baggot (’93), retired minister of Community Church of Vero Beach, spoke highly of Don’s impact after retiring. She wrote, “For several years after his retirement from United, Don continued inspiring students of all ages at Community Church of Vero Beach as Theologian in Residence. His intellect was untiring, and his lectures, talks, and programs were incredibly popular.” Don also served his church as a counselor. Casey continues, “Community Church members found themselves doubly blessed as he brought wisdom to enlighten and compassion to sustain the faithful journey.” “A seminary professor is able to leave a graceful imprint in the lives of students and faculty colleagues,” reflects current President Molly T. Marshall. “From all I have read of the service of Don White at United, I would echo the words of the writer of the Apocalypse: his ‘deeds will accompany him’ (Rev. 14:13b).” For all the students he taught, mentored, and coached, all the faculty and staff with whom he worked, and his service to the church, United is deeply grateful for the legacy of Rev. Dr. Don White, now of blessed memory. A service for Don will take place at Community Church of Vero Beach in Florida on Saturday, November 23, 2024, on what would have been Don’s 90th birthday.

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July 12, 2021
Book Faculty Library New Students students Theology

United Faculty Recommend Books for Incoming Seminarians

As incoming students get ready to embark on their seminary journey this fall, faculty members took a moment to consider books they read at the beginning of their journey, or books they wish they’d read at the beginning. While you will soon have plenty of reading once the semester starts, here are a few books to whet your appetite between now and September! (more…)

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December 21, 2020
Arts Christmas Faculty Holidays ministry Movies seminary Staff Theology

Movies for What Ails You: Reflecting on Holiday Favorites.

Around winter holidays, one of the most beloved traditions is staying in, bundling up, and watching a favorite movie or television show. Eventually, the media we are drawn to once becomes something we might return whether after many years or on a regular annual basis. Movies, like other forms of art, both entertain us and give us insight that we can describe as not only culturally relevant but theological, ministerial, or even prophetic. At United Community, we are committed to the role of art in our collective ministry, and so this year, some of our faculty and staff have opted to share about our favorite holiday movies, the lessons we've learned, and blessing we can draw from them. (more…)

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November 19, 2020
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Message from United Faculty on Trans Day of Remembrance 2020

Transgender Day of Remembrance calls us to honor transgender and non-binary people who have needlessly lost their lives due to violence, medical neglect, and suicide.  United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities decries these deaths and grieves the loss of these human beings, disproportionately from communities of color, created in the image and likeness of God. (more…)

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