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September 30, 2026
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United Celebrates Largest New Class and Highest Enrollment in Its 65-Year History

Enrollment Has More than Tripled in Ten Years For the second consecutive year, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is thrilled to welcome its largest-ever incoming class of degree-seeking students. With 85 new degree-seeking students, the seminary is celebrating a total fall term enrollment of 288 degree-seeking students and 7 certificate students, representing the largest total enrollment in United’s history. The seminary’s 65th academic year features: 25% year-over-year enrollment growth and a staggering 239% increase over fall 2016; 163 Master of Divinity (MDiv) students, an increase of 42% year-over-year; 63 Master of Arts (MA), Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL), and Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) students; 62 Doctor of Ministry (DMin) students. Public theology, social transformation, interreligious engagement, and theology and the arts comprise the four foundational pillars of United’s curricula. They are unique among seminaries and divinity schools rooted in Christian traditions, cultivating an educational environment that practices ecumenism, religious pluralism, and social justice. The MDiv in Interreligious Chaplaincy is United’s largest degree program, with 73 students enrolled for the fall term. The concentration’s interfaith emphasis sets the school apart among its peers, drawing students from diverse backgrounds and faiths. Reflecting the program’s flagship status, the seminary marked a new milestone on July 1 when it welcomed Dr. Ginger Morgan as associate professor for Pastoral and Spiritual Care and program director for Interreligious Chaplaincy. United’s considerable ten-year growth can be credited to its leading-edge academic offerings, widely accessible distance education, and accomplished faculty. The seminary is a bold witness for the common good, preparing innovative leaders for myriad vocational and professional outcomes. From rural congregations to the city hospital’s ICU, United students and alums equip their communities for justice and peace. Mason Mennenga (’22), director of Admissions, leads a passionate and creative staff, all of whom are current students or alums. He reflects, “United’s growth in enrollment over the last number of years and our record for this year is truly a remarkable achievement in theological education. We’re showing what’s possible for progressive theological institutions!” Dr. Hillary Vamstad, director of Student Services, adds, “We’ve created an environment where students feel more than just a number, and I think students see that through the admissions and onboarding process. Feeling seen, heard, and supported while pursuing a seminary education is an important component to United’s growth.” Growth in student enrollment underscores the need to increase the number of core faculty members to continue to provide the quality of education for which United is well-known. Dr. Kyle Roberts, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, shares, “We are undertaking two faculty searches this year, which include an additional faculty role focused on Ministry Practices. This is a specialty we have been needing for some time on our core faculty to ground students in the practical elements of ministry leadership, such as preaching and liturgy, religious education, institutional leadership and administration.” Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, who is beginning her final year as United’s beloved president, asserts, “I believe United’s remarkable growth is due to our progressive and relevant curriculum, our theological hospitality, and our accessible educational delivery.” She continues, “We delight in creating space (perichoresis) for everyone who desires formative theological education, a distinctive pursuit among seminaries.” United looks ahead to a historic 65th year of progressive theological education, and we give thanks for the students whose vocations, traditions, and unique perspectives enrich the life of our seminary. 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, explore multi-faith spirituality, and push the boundaries of knowledge. Media 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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February 19, 2020
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Impeachment: freedom from the loyalty to tyranny

As a law-educated theologian, I am following the crumbling of evangelical Christians’ public support, on moral grounds, of President Trump. I am also interested in the response from a Christian ethicist who voiced his support for Trump on political competition grounds. Which Christian perspective, morality or competition, best supports our overarching common value of freedom? How do we know? Why should we care? (more…)

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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…)

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January 28, 2020
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“CREATE YOUR OWN CONTEXT”EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS STUDYING SPIRITUAL CARE

Preparing seminarians adequately in this rapidly changing, complex society requires new directions and paradigms to respond to the changing nature of community, culture, and religion/spirituality. Seminarians increasingly need a wide variety of creative contextual  experiences to help them discern their call and explore the many options for their gifts, talents and passions. The Dept. of Formation, Vocation and Innovation can provide you with opportunities to do short-term, individualized mini-internships -- an afternoon gathering, a day long experience, or a multi-week volunteer opportunity -- to complement your academic and vocational pursuits and provide professional networking opportunities.  (more…)

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November 19, 2019
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“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…)

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October 14, 2019
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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…)

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September 23, 2019

Interview with Dr. Awes Freeman on Upcoming Screening of Ending the Silence

Ending the Silence: Confronting Sexual Shame in the Church, produced by Leigh Finke, explores patriarchal and hierarchical structures in the church that foster the devaluing and demonizing of sex, women, and the LGBTQ community. The film challenges viewers to look beyond the church’s longstanding binary-based dogma and embrace the full spectrum of gender and sexuality. United is hosting a screening and discussion of the film on Friday, September 27 at 7 pm, organized by Theology and the Arts professor Dr. Jennifer Awes-Freeman. The following interview is with Dr. Awes-Freeman about bringing this film to United. How did Ending the Silence find its way to United? How did this event happen? I first learned about Ending the Silence because my friend Leigh Finke produced it. I’ve been friends with Leigh for 20 years, and so was really excited to collaborate on this event and showcase this important film.  Why should a seminary be showing this kind of documentary/be part of this conversation? United is in a unique position to host these kinds of conversations because here we are training and surrounded by faith leaders who will be and are equipped to take on these issues—and hopefully help move the church towards health and wholeness. How does the medium of documentary invite an audience differently than, say, a talk or lecture? Documentaries often employ storytelling techniques and incorporate interviews from multiple figures. In that way, they have the ability to create a fuller picture on a given issue, as well as demonstrate its complexity. I also appreciate the ways that documentaries can model a sense of dialogue for the audience. Ending the Silence is a good example of that, and I think will prompt productive conversations. What about the current political/social/religious climate makes this movie timely? In a sense, this film is timely and speaks directly to political divisions we’re seeing, but it also tells a very old story. Ultimately, I think there’s hope to be had through healing, and so it’s a forward-facing film. And it seems like an opportune time for conversations about what it means to be part of a faith community, and of course, what it means to be a person of faith. In times of crisis--whether they be personal, or political, or social--faith leaders have an important role to play. That role might be thought of as prophetic.  How does this documentary fit in with United's values and history? United has been at the forefront of LGBTQ rights and conversations around the intersections of gender, sexuality, and religion since its founding, as evidenced in the work of our staff and faculty, such as James Nelson, Carolyn Pressler, and, most recently, Justin Sabia-Tanis. Ending the Silence, and our conversation around it on September 27, will become part of the story of our values and history, and we live into that.  

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September 4, 2019
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Selma Commemorative March

Sunday, March 8, 2:00-4:00 PM State Capitol to Central Presbyterian, St. Paul This Sunday! March in the memory of the walk from Selma. Among the featured speakers is United President Dr. Barbara A. Holmes, who marched with her father 50 years ago. You can hear her account of that time in interviews scheduled for this evening's All Things Considered on MPR, KARE-11 TV News, and in print and online publications, including the Twin Cities Daily Planet. The event is expected to generate a lot of media interest throughout the weekend. (more…)

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