social transformation

January 8, 2025
social justice social transformation students VOICES

Ryan Cagle’s Ministry Leads through Social Transformation & Eco-Justice

Student Ryan Cagle, who grew up in what he describes as the “backwoods of Alabama and the foothills of Appalachia,” is pursuing both an MDiv in Social Transformation and an MA in Eco-Justice. For the past three years, he has also been the driving force behind a social justice ministry in Parrish, Alabama, called Jubilee House Community. It is a big lift, but Ryan finds that his academic work at United is complementing his home ministry. “Seminary has always been a dream for me—something I always wanted to do,” Ryan shares. He’s been involved in ministry since he was 18 and supplemented his ministry with extensive reading. When he decided to pursue seminary, there were no local options. United, however, seemed like a good fit. “The theology and the place and the diversity that is here and embodied in the community,” Ryan explains, was what he needed. Social transformation was an obvious choice since Ryan was already engaged in community organizing and social justice work. Still, much of his ministry in Alabama deals with “ecologically oriented” issues, so he wanted to explore that side too. Fortunately, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, associate professor of Christian Ethics and Social Transformation, supported by the McVay Endowment, allowed Ryan to create a self-directed study in Land, Food, Faith, and Justice. Once United added the MA in Eco-Justice, Ryan couldn’t resist adding that degree.  Ryan asserts he cannot “quantify the number of ways that what I’m learning [at United] is actively helping me refine the actual on-the-ground work that I’m doing.” His academic work, Ryan says, is enhancing how he relates, leads, and ministers to others, how they approach decision-making, and how they effectuate eco-justice for those in their community.  With no state funding, Jubilee House Community operates a 24/7 food pantry, a free store for non-perishable items, a community garden, and Alabama’s first, second, and third free 24/7 Narcan® (naloxone) distribution sites (part of their harm reduction efforts). It’s an amazing, heart-filled, and transformational ministry. “I love United.” Ryan avows. “It’s been one of the most life-affirming and vocation-affirming places I’ve ever been and experienced in my entire life.”

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November 19, 2024
social transformation students VOICES

Social Transformation Student Doe Hoyer Follows the Spirit

Doe Hoyer, who is pursuing an MDiv in Social Transformation, grew up southeast of the Twin Cities. Their grandfather was a Lutheran pastor. “I really had a strong love and resonance with him as a child,” Doe shares, but “as a queer child, I always felt like a misfit” at the family’s Lutheran church. It has taken some time, but since starting at United, Doe has found where their gifts can flourish and grow. The Slow Road to Seminary When Doe was 16, they experienced a “devastating loss” when a cousin tragically died. Retrospectively, they acknowledge there was a “missed opportunity for spiritual care there.” That trauma turned Doe away from religion and spirituality for many years. After earning a BA in linguistics at Macalester College, Doe’s early jobs included teaching ESL to Latinx and Somali adults. Though teaching a colonizing language bothered Doe, they learned how challenging it is for immigrants to navigate American systems. Meanwhile, through involvement with the local Reclaiming Pagan community, Doe found “a thread of earth-based spirituality” and “community singing.” They also made an important connection with United alum Colleen Cook* (’12), with whom they lived for six months. Not only did Colleen share stories about their time at United, they proved to be a “vocal encourager.” During what they describe as a “seven-year discernment process,” Doe took on more leadership roles, learned how to be a community song leader, and had experiences that affirmed the spirituality in nature. Then, just a few weeks before Colleen passed away in 2019, they texted Doe: “Maybe you want to apply to United.” Growing into an Organizer “Reckoning with my Christian roots and learning more at United,” Doe asserts, “has allowed me to have so much more flexible thinking about Christianity.” They made strong connections with other students in their “incredible” formation class with Rev. Dr. John Lee (’19). Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape’s “amazing classes” have “yielded connections with inspiring chaplains,” and they treasure the feedback and encouragement from professors Rev. Dr. Andrew Packman, Rev. Dr. Gary Green, and Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis. For the past year, Doe has also worked as an organizer and song leader for the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. The Coalition, co-founded by Sarah Augustine—a Pueblo (Tewa) descendant—“calls on the Christian Church to address the extinction, enslavement, and extraction done in the name of Christ on Indigenous lands.” Doe’s local involvement with repair communities for Makoce Ikikcupi, the Dakota land recovery project, helped them get the job. Doe believes lessons learned in United’s social transformation and chaplaincy courses have strengthened their organizing abilities. As Doe explains it, chaplaincy’s emphasis on remaining present and open with another helps temper the social transformation push for action and systemic change. Moving between these skill sets helps Doe forge deeper and longer-lasting relationships with other activist organizers. Following the Spirit “I could not be doing this work,” Doe attests, “without the learning and reflective experiences I have had through United.” They now encourage others to check out the seminary. “We need people who are going to engage robustly with their own spirituality, what it means to bring that to others in this world,” and how that can play out in meaningful service. * Deceased

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January 5, 2024
Leadership Center for Social Justice social transformation

United to Host Livestream & Discussion of the Rainbow Push Coalition’s Emergency Summit for Gaza

President Molly T. Marshall, on behalf of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, joins fellow “faith leaders and civil and human rights advocates, all united in this moment of moral reckoning to affirm the sanctity of all human life. ​​We call on the Biden Administration and Congress to act for justice and the preservation of Palestinian and Israeli lives now.” “... We collectively urge the United States to leverage its power to end the atrocities underway now in Gaza, atrocities that meet the definition of genocide. A ceasefire is just the beginning.” The Leadership Center for Social Justice and Social Transformation Program also invites members of the United community to join us on campus for a livestream of the beginning of the Rainbow Push Coalition's Emergency Summit for Gaza taking place on January 12 at 11 AM CT.  You are encouraged to bring your own lunch. At 12:15 PM, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis and Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow will facilitate a discussion for those gathered. Online attendees can register via Zoom. > To attend the full Chicago gathering and read the statement, click here. >

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April 13, 2021
black lives matter Civil Rights Community Community Relationships news social justice social transformation Voice

Statement on Daunte Wright

The community of United Seminary of the Twin Cities mourns the death of Daunte Wright, yet another Black man shot and killed in the long trajectory of deaths at the hands of law enforcement in this country. We join in the outpouring of anguish and grief over the loss of another precious life and we recognize that this killing comes amid the ongoing trauma experienced by people of color, particularly at this very painful time as the community is forced to revisit the horrors of George Floyd’s death during the murder trial of Derek Chauvin.  (more…)

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March 16, 2021
Environment social transformation Water

United Forward on Climate Action

Where do climate change and justice issues intersect with the beliefs, practices, and teachings of your faith or spiritual tradition? United students are finding their way and having an impact. Over the past several months, a core group of committed students has collaborated with staff from Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) to prepare a statement encouraging state representatives to take a bold stance on climate action. In this emerging reality of climate change, healing the separation between each other, the land and water, our histories, and likewise between environmental, social and economic justice represent the most important existential and ethical challenges to the material and spiritual security and wellbeing of all beings. Specifically, campaigns to stop construction of the Tar Sands Line 3 Pipeline are at the forefront of local activism. Advocacy for creative solutions includes support for the Rondo Land Bridge project that impacts environmental restoration while also advancing racial reparations and economic vitality to the historically African American district of The Twin Cities. (more…)

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February 1, 2021
Baha'i Faith God interreligious chaplaincy news Prison social justice social transformation students Theology Voice

Talking Faith with Kayvan Ghaderi, 1 of 6 Baha’is Wrongfully Detained in Yemeni Prison.

If you’ve had class with me anytime in the last six months, you may remember my asking you to remember the “Sanaa 6”in your prayers. These were a group of six Bahá’ís in prison in Houthi-held Sanaa, one with a death penalty hanging over his head just for being a member of the Bahá’í Faith. But this is one story that ultimately had a happy ending, as Ghaderi has recently been reunited with his family. --Karen Webb (more…)

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