Theology Archives - Page 6 of 7 - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

August 3, 2018

Music Makes Community

If you happened to be walking down the halls of United on Saturday, January 21st, you probably heard a lot of singing. That's because more than 40 people from around the Twin Cities and across the upper Midwest gathered for a day-long interfaith "Music That Makes Community" workshop. Facilitated by director Paul Vasile and local musician Conie Borchardt, the event explored the practice of teaching paperless singing. The group learned new skills for leading community songs to enrich their communities' worship life, and reflected on strategies for cultivating participatory singing and liturgy. (more…)

August 3, 2018

Campus News obituary president Theology

Obituary for Former President Rev. Dr. Benjamin Griffin

The Rev. Dr. Ben Griffin was United’s president for about 8 years in the late 80s and early 90s. He died earlier this month and we extend our prayers to his family and loved ones. Although many of us never knew him in person, his legacy of a commitment to social justice and interfaith engagement remain the hallmarks of United’s focus some 23 years later. Organizations like United are built upon the wisdom, commitment and love of leaders like Rev. Dr. Griffin. (more…)

August 3, 2018

Bible Campus News Politics Theology Voice

Author Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton Speaks with United Students on Bridging Political Divides.

Is the emerging role of faith leaders to bridge political and theological divides? One biblical scholar is on a mission to do just that. Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton is the author of A House United and founder of House United Movement. Rev. Dr. Hilton previously taught Bible at Yale Divinity School and St. Mary's College of California and has been a minister for congregations in Connecticut, Washington, and Minnesota. This July, Hilton spoke to United's Religion and Politics in America class taught by Dr. Silas Morgan. Vice President for Marketing, Amee McDonald had the chance to speak with Rev. Dr. Hilton and Dr. Silas Morgan last Thursday. (more…)

July 13, 2018

Pluralism Theology Voice

Religious Plurality: Interacting With and Supporting Others With Differing Religious Convictions

This week's blog post is based on a sermon given by student Dennis Peters as a part of United's summer worship series. What exactly is “religious plurality"? We’re talking about the relationships between religions. Is it tolerance? For instance, your neighbor is a different religion from you. Say she is a Reform Jew, and you’re a Methodist... or a Congregationalist... or a Presbyterian. Even though you know your religion is far superior to hers, you act nice with her, have friendly conversations, loan her your lawn mower, borrow her mixer. Okay, wait. So far, all you’ve done is condescend to talk with her. Knowing your religion is superior to hers. (more…)

July 12, 2018

Arts Theology united faculty

“Art is an Invocation of Beauty.” Meet Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman, Assistant Professor of Theology & the Arts.

"What is your responsibility to yourself as an artist, integrity, ethics––why are you compelled to make things, and then to whatever community you are in and your artwork is intended for?" These are the questions Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman asks as she begins a three-year appointment at United as Assistant Professor of Theology and the Arts. (more…)

June 29, 2018

Faith humanism interfaith ministry naturalism religious naturalism seminary sermon Theology united faculty United Universalism

Religious Naturalism: A Theology for UU Humanists Part I

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June 29, 2018

Faith humanism interfaith ministry naturalism religious naturalism seminary sermon Theology united faculty United Universalism Voice

Religious Naturalism: A Theology for UU Humanists Part III

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June 29, 2018

Events social justice Theology Voice

“We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the injustices of our society”: President Lew Zeidner’s MLK Day Address.

My experience of previous celebrations of MLK day seemed focused on an amazing leader, a man who advocated non-violent change and dreamed of a better world for all, a movement that seemed to facilitate significant societal change in its time and a leader who was willing to risk his own safety and life to make a positive difference. All worthy of much reverence and celebration. But this year feels different. (more…)

June 29, 2018

Bible interfaith interreligious chaplaincy ministry Theology theology and the arts Voice

When Storytelling Holds the World: Passover Reflections on Maggid.

A little over a week ago, I led a small seder on the second night of Pesach (Passover). The second seder can be hard to lead because the specialness and holiness of the first often turns into redundancy when the ritual is repeated on the second night. Planning the seder, I was concerned wit distinguishing it from the preceding night at my parents’ house. I was thinking about what we covered the previous seder and what, because of the larger group of people, we might have missed. (more…)