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April 16, 2026
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Dr. Ginger Morgan Announced as New Associate Professor and Program Director for Interreligious Chaplaincy

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, April 16, 2026 — United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is thrilled to announce that Dr. Ginger Morgan will join its faculty as the new Associate Professor for Pastoral and Spiritual Care and Program Director for Interreligious Chaplaincy. Dr. Morgan will come to United from Madison, WI, where she is concluding her role at the Presbyterian Student Center Foundation as director of Candid and Community Initiatives. She is a highly qualified program director and chaplain with experience in healthcare, campus ministry, and higher education. With a PhD in Religion and Psychological Studies from Iliff School of Theology at the University of Denver, as well as a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Vanderbilt Divinity School, Dr. Morgan draws from her theological and multidisciplinary education in her work. Interreligious studies is one of United’s four pillars, and the Interreligious Chaplaincy (IRC) program—unique among peer institutions—constitutes the largest and fastest-growing of the seminary’s programs over the past five years. In alignment with United’s ethos, Dr. Morgan is a gifted scholar of religious pluralism, highly educated in progressive theological education, and foregrounds justice in chaplaincy and pastoral care. These values are evident in a chapter titled “Many Doors: Expanding Thresholds for Grace,” written by Dr. Morgan for the upcoming book Dispatches from Campus (Augsburg Fortress Press). Dr. Morgan’s career also reflects her personal experiences and identity. Writing to the search committee, she shared, “My formation includes reconciling my lesbian identity with my faith and living as a religious minority in India during high school, both of which shaped my intercultural perspective and vocational commitments.” She continued, “Throughout my career, I have sought to create inclusive spaces of belonging, whether supporting LGBTQIA+ students, young adults in recovery from addiction, or building programs attentive to justice and equity." Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, President, reflects, “United welcomes Dr. Ginger Morgan with confidence and great enthusiasm. Her varied leadership roles, especially in chaplaincy, equip her uniquely to lead our robust IRC program and to teach pastoral and spiritual care.” In his announcement to the student body, Dr. Kyle Roberts—Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs—noted that Dr. Morgan’s “career in chaplaincy spans hospital, hospice, and higher education contexts, and extensive program leadership experience.” He added, “I want to thank Dr. Demian Wheeler for leading this search process, especially during its formative stages during my sabbatical.” After participating in a months-long faculty search and on-site candidate lecture, being recommended by a unanimous faculty vote, and gaining approval from the Board of Trustees’ Academic Committee, Dr. Morgan will officially begin on July 1. Students, faculty, and staff are eager to welcome her to United for this exciting new chapter. For more information about United’s Interreligious Chaplaincy program, click here. 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 educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • (651) 255-6138 Admissions and Enrollment admissions@unitedseminary.edu

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July 30, 2020
Beliefs interfaith Interreligious Library Research Scripture Theology

Meet Tim Senapatiratne, New Director of the Spencer Library

On June 1 of this year, United welcomed Dr. Tim Senapatiratne as Director of the Spencer Library and Associate Professor of Theological Bibliography. Tim comes to United after 15 years at Bethel University where he was Senior Reference and Instruction Librarian. Tim has also been teaching a research course for United’s Doctor of Ministry students for about six years now, but he is excited to have a more prominent role at United. (more…)

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July 14, 2020
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A Call for Lament (in the time of a global pandemic)

A while ago, I woke up from a nightmare. In this dream, I knew that my brother was in an upper level of an abandoned skyscraper, unconscious and badly burned, hooked into an IV that I did not know who operated. When I learned about his condition on the phone, I felt and heard a noise escape my throat - one I have only heard once before. The unmistakable, guttural cry of grief: someone is dead or dying. By the time I saw my brother’s body in front of me, in the dream, I woke up. It was dark. My body automatically turned over, bringing me to my knees and I prayed. With gratitude, gratitude that I knew, with almost certainty, that my brother was safe at home. Then grief washed over me again, because just as I knew my brother was fine, I knew that someone else’s brother was experiencing my dream as their reality.  (more…)

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June 19, 2020

In Honor of Juneteenth, 2020

This statement, in Honor of Juneteenth, 2020, is presented by CARJ (The Committee Advocated for Racial Justice at United). Friday, June 19th, marks the 155th anniversary of the day Union soldiers landing at Galveston informed the long-suffering enslaved people of Texas that they were free. Despite the fact that the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two and a half years earlier, these men, women, and children were held not only illegally but immorally--denied justice, denied their release from oppression. Juneteenth celebrates the profound joy of freedom revealed that day. And it serves as a reminder of justice that is long overdue. Justice is hard. Justice is complicated. Justice does not always come at once. But justice does come. As a seminary community, we believe that justice delayed is justice denied. This belief is expressed in the core literature and prophetic voices of every major religion. But we also know, as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us, that "the arc of the moral Universe is long." While the practice of slavery came to an end on that June day, the immoral and tragic legacies of slavery, including economic exploitation and white supremacy, continue today. The delay of justice continues. Today we see Black men, transgender and non-binary people, women, and children being killed in the streets and in their homes by those charged with protecting them. We see rampant voter suppression efforts in the lead-up to the fall election. We see children in Flint still unable to drink the water in their homes.We see communities of color disproportionately harmed by COVID-19 because of racial disparities in healthcare. But we know even in these challenging times, the rest of Martin Luther King, Jr’s statement brings hope: While the arc of the moral universe is long, still, it bends toward justice.  United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is committed to the difficult, complicated work of dismantling systems of oppression and white supremacy. Following the prophetic voices of our theological ancestors and inspired by the prophets of today, we are committed to both advocacy and action in the pursuit of justice. Find out more about United’s current efforts to address white supremacy and racism in our community and our world.

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June 16, 2020
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United Responds to the Killing of George Floyd: A collection of statements, reflections, and resources

Reuters/Eric Miller In the wake of the brutal killing of George Floyd while he was detained by Minneapolis Police officers, and the local and global calls to address systemic violence against Black lives, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has compiled the following list of statements, ministry and reflections, articles, petitions, educational resources, and community funds. This is a living document that will be updated as we get more information, so remember to check back.  (more…)

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May 29, 2020
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Students Respond to the Killing of George Floyd

In response to the violent killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, MN, students in Professor Eleazar Fernandez's Public Theology for Social Transformation class worked together to write this statement. We share it as a reminder that the work of theology is always grounded in lived human experience and that calls for justice remain fundamental for people of all faiths. (more…)

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May 28, 2020
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United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities Statement on the Death of George Floyd

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is outraged and grieved at the death of yet another unarmed Black person while being detained by the police. We join countless voices in the Twin Cities and across the nation calling for justice for George Floyd and an immediate end to the horrific killings of Black people in this country. Injustice and death continue to run rampant so long as there is impunity for those who murder Black members of our communities. (more…)

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