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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

The “What Is” and “What If” of Chaplaincy

Conscious and deliberate acts of caring are a unique human attribute. The need to care and to be cared for is essential to the survival of all human groups. We create communities, cultural norms, ethical frameworks, social constructs, and beliefs that help guide our choices, to make our lives meaningful and understandable. We make commitments, form families, and care for family members by nurturing their growth and development. We develop shared interests and identities with other families, seeking to sustain our wellbeing, survival, and flourishing. Yet, when we are baffled, suffering, scared, fearful, or engulfed in physical pain or moral dilemmas, we have traditionally sought care from religious and spiritual institutions. It is here, that we bring the full palette of our human spirituality to be acknowledged and addressed, seeking love and authentic relationships. We bring our desires for forgiveness, mercy, and autonomy. We bring our claims of faith to help us make meaning in the midst of the limited and fragile security of a human life. We bring our need for hope and vision, to satisfy the self-consciousness of our finitude. We want to be ethical and honest, humble, and grateful in a world where justice is fleeting and duplicity and evil are gratuitously on display. We bring our broken, ill-formed, halting questions and curiosities to religion and spiritual sources to be tended to, laid bare, and cared for. (more…)

United Moves to St. Paul in January

Over the last 30 days, construction on our new campus commenced. Architects, general managers, and contractors have tended to details big and small, from selecting and ordering materials (this week we chose the tiles for the bathroom and locks for the doors) to hanging sheetrock.  (more…)

Statement from United: Violence in the Name of Hate Is an Affront to God

As we grieve for those murdered in Pittsburgh, we are called individually and collectively to demand elimination of the political rhetoric that flames divisiveness and hatred toward people who are perceived to be different. The time is now to turn our collective rage, fear and sadness into community action and change. Vigils and prayers must evolve into sustained expressions of a healthy and loving community. It will take more than healthier politicians to reduce the pathology of hatred in our communities and nation. (more…)

The Verdict Is In! Spiritual Leaders Need To Be Entrepreneurial.

Some call it social innovation, redemptive entrepreneurship, missional innovation, spiritual entrepreneurship – pick your #hashtag, – but it is no longer a niche. It’s a full-blown, interfaith movement. Many spiritual leaders complain that they did not learn how to revitalize dying churches or start new ones when they were in seminary, because it was not part of the curriculum. Well at United you can gain those skills through the efforts of the Department of Student Formation, Vocation, Experience and the Arts. We are developing offering, opportunities, 1:1 conversation, community visits, shadowing and coaching to students who feel called to explore entrepreneurial concepts and practices in their upcoming or current ministries. What are some of the characteristics entrepreneurial spiritual leaders possess and develop? (more…)

“You Are Not Alone”: Response to the Government’s Attacks on Trans Civil Rights

Friends, this weekend we all read or heard of a N.Y. Times article that reported that the U.S. Government is considering denying the existence of Transgender people.   While the cruelty of the current administration is well-documented and only shocking in its consistent heartlessness; that reality does not bring any comfort.   I recognize that the impact of discussions like this one re-traumatize those who, until recently, could not dare to be themselves.  Who only recently, and with great bravery, could identify and describe their own sense of self.    There is little that can be said to reduce the pain caused by those who deny the identity of others.  Know that you are not alone. Know that those around you care and feel a piece of the pain caused. Know that we will fight alongside you for the right to be who you are. Know that United is and will be a safe place for all to be and be known. Peace, Lew

Convocation 2018: “As we elevate what is holy, may we be transformed.”

United's 2018 Fall Convocation was held on September 25. President Lew Zeidner welcomed all with a message about tolerating and leaning into ambiguity. Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman, installed this year as Assistant Professor of Theology & the Arts, delivered an address using metaphors of pilgrimage and elevation.  Below you can watch the full ceremony: (more…)

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

Critical incident and cumulative stress are an everyday reality for paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers. Concerns about the mental health and potential suicide risk of our co-workers challenge us as an industry to be intentional about providing appropriate, professional support.EMS Week is an opportunity to step back, recognize and care for our caregivers. At Allina Health EMS, a hospital-based EMS agency that serves more than 100 communities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, we established a position of EMS chaplain to focus on the wellbeing of our employees. This paid, 32 hour a week position resembles the role and function of military chaplains. I’m “embedded with the troops,” riding with ambulance crews and sitting along with dispatchers, building relationships with frontline staff and following up after potentially stressful incidents. (more…)