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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

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…)

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As part of its regular reaccreditation process, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is hosting an evaluation committee by the Association of Theological Schools’ (ATS) Commission on Accrediting on October 7–10, 2019. The committee will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commissions’ Standards of Accreditation. As part of this process, United invites its constituents to submit written comments concerning the institution’s qualifications for accreditation to the following address:Matt StollenwerkUnited Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities767 Eustis St., Suite 140St. Paul, MN 55114mstollenwerk@unitedseminary.eduFor more information about the standards, please visit www.ats.edu.

United Graduate Claire Klein Creates Service for People With Dementia

St. Paul, June 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part-time music therapist, Claire Klein, a recent graduate of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, could move into full-time employment in her current position. But studying at United inspired Klein to take another path. “I’m staying part-time to make Dementia Chapel a reality,” she said. Dementia Chapel is the unexpected, innovative ministry project of Klein’s last year in seminary. The project began to take shape during a course on Leadership in Religious and Non-profit Contexts. As part of the class, student groups created grant proposals for innovative nonprofits. Through her work, Klein noticed that participation in worship services seemed to spark something in people with dementia. Long after they had forgotten other things, they could still say the Lord’s Prayer and participate in familiar rituals. She came to her group with an idea: What if they could tap into this and offer a worship service to meet the needs of people with dementia? The group drafted liturgies, including for Christmas and Easter. “The space would be more conducive for social interaction and symbols of the faith would be prominent to help cue and orient,” Klein said of Dementia Chapel. Services involve “familiar hymns, scripture and prayers [...] so that people can access those rote memories that are still intact. Sermons would be participatory and include visual aids, questions and answers from the congregants, or a hands-on art experience or ritual.” Dementia chapel engages congregants where they are, centering their stories and experiences in worship. As the group pulled together the grant proposal, Klein realized, “I could really do this!” With faculty encouragement, Klein met with connections in the United Church of Christ and the Alzheimer’s Association and with dementia experts and caregivers to determine what spiritual needs should be met through chapel services focused on people with dementia. While Klein searches for church partners to host Dementia Chapel, she is grateful for the seminary that gave her space to build a new version of ministry and spiritual life.