Voice Archives - Page 4 of 10 - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

February 7, 2020

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Statement Regarding the Expanded Travel Ban From the Academic Council of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

The Trump administration recently added six countries to the travel ban list which, as a recent New York Times article puts it, “will virtually block immigration from Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, and from Myanmar, where the Muslim minority is fleeing genocide.” (more…)

November 19, 2019

Inclusion Jesus justice lgbtq ministry Open and Affirming social justice social transformation Theology Voice

“Being faithful sometimes requires us to break the rules:” A Response to the Issue of LGBTQ Inclusion in the UMC.

“I’d rather be excluded for who I include than included for who I exclude.” This sentence, often appearing on a church sign, shows up fairly regularly on my social media feed, a moving reminder of what the communities of faith are called to be. The Rev. Eston Williams, a United Methodist pastor, said these words in 2016 to a reporter for a story on his rural Texas church’s decision to begin offering same sex weddings. The congregation voted overwhelming to offer the services, even though they are banned by the United Methodist Book of Discipline. (more…)

November 11, 2019

Formation Innovation ministry Vocation Voice

THE THREE TRACKS OF SEMINARY: ALL THREE ARE NECESSARY

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October 14, 2019

Ecology Environment justice social transformation Theology Voice Water

Water is Life: A Sacred Witness

The voice of a young Indigenous drummer echoed out over Lake Itasca at the headwaters of the Mississippi River as faith leaders, elders from the White Earth Nation, and climate activists from a variety of traditions gathered last weekend in a respectful prayer circle. Other spiritual voices included a Muslim call to prayer, Jewish singing, a Zen Buddhist chant, a Unitarian Universalist prayer/poem (included in this post), and a Christian homily. Organized by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Honor the Earth and the RISE Coalition, the event focused on protecting waters sacred to indigenous peoples and necessary to sustain life for all in this region. Rev. Karen Hutt and Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis, joined by their families, represented United Theological Seminary. Rev. Hutt led the UU contribution to the program, drawing connections between the experiences of African-American and Native experiences of water, which you can read below. (more…)

September 3, 2019

Arts Community Relationships Exhibit Theology Voice

Celebrating Storytellers Melvin and Rose Smith

I met Melvin Smith in the late 90’s while attending a multi-week workshop. As we talked, Melvin described the work that he and his wife Rose were creating and their desire to share it with the broader community. I had recently taken on the role of director of United’s religion and the arts program and I was eager to know more. (more…)

August 9, 2019

Gun Violence news social transformation Theology Voice White Supremacy

Statement on White Nationalism

The events of the last week tragically remind us of the devastating impact hatred continues to have on our nation. We recognize that these horrific acts of violence far too often have a common thread—white nationalism, which is the wrong and sinful belief in white superiority, and the warped desire to rule our country by and only for the benefit of white people. White nationalism in the United States is stoked by daily political diatribes, easily-accessed hate-filled ideas, and faulty theology. We acknowledge a direct connection between white nationalism and Christian nationalism—the dangerous falsehood that the United States was meant to be a country that privileges and protects the lives and beliefs of white Christians above all others. We denounce these ideas as heresy. (more…)

August 8, 2019

Alums ELCA ministry news Voice

United Graduate Elected Bishop of ELCA Western Iowa Synod

Rev. Lorna Halaas was recently elected bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Halaas is a 2008 graduate of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, where she received her MDiv. Halaas chose United for its ecumenical context and educational approach. (more…)

July 30, 2019

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New United Professor Brings Unique Perspective to Pastoral Theology

On July 1, 2019, Rev.Gary F. Green II joined United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities as assistant professor of pastoral theology and social transformation. (more…)

June 14, 2019

Beliefs Chaplaincy Deconstruction Formation leadership ministry Voice

“How Deconstructing My Beliefs Has Made Me a Better Faith Leader:” An Interview with Sarah Berge

Sarah Berge '19 is a recent graduate of United hoping to work in chaplaincy. Her background is in systems and family counseling, with a focus on incarcerated populations and restorative justice. Sarah is also a passionate theologian, and integrates her chaplaincy work into theology and arts projects. Deconstructing beliefs is key to her ministry. (more…)