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July 16, 2026
Faculty Holidays Judaism

Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall to Retire in 2027 Following Six Exemplary Years as President

Her Vision and Leadership Have Transformed United Following six historic and transformative years as President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall will retire on June 30, 2027, upon completion of the seminary’s 65th academic year. President Marshall secured United’s financial standing, advanced institutional objectives toward long-term sustainability, and catalyzed historic growth in institutional fundraising and student enrollment. Rev. Dr. Marshall assumed her role as Interim President in March 2021 following thorough vetting by a search committee and the Board of Trustees’ unanimous vote. Having served in theological education for more than 40 years, her reputation preceded her. She made headlines as the first woman appointed to the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention. Ordained as a Southern Baptist, she later received the privilege of call by the American Baptist Church.  In 1997, she joined the faculty of Central Baptist Theological Seminary as professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, thereafter stabilizing and revitalizing the school as President from 2004 to 2020, becoming the first woman ever to lead a Baptist seminary or divinity school. President Marshall’s respect and renown culminated in her executive report on effective seminary leadership, written for The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) before she arrived at United. Her experiences as a congregational minister, feminist theologian, prodigious academician, and her achievements as an administrator in theological education augured well for the seminary’s future in her care. Less than a year later, her position was made permanent, formally making her United’s tenth president, and, desiring to honor United's legacy, she pursued and received clergy standing with the MN United Church of Christ. United trustees outlined a set of priorities at the beginning of President Marshall’s tenure, on which she began immediate work. She invested much of her first several months in office in forming connections with alums, donors, and faculty. She concentrated her relational acumen on Advancement, and donors responded enthusiastically. In September 2021, United announced the Johnson-Fry Chair in World Religions and Intercultural Studies, endowed by Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson (’17, ’23) and David Fry. Cultivating “respect for the lived religion of others,” as President Marshall often asserts, is a pillar of her scholarship and the seminary’s academic ethos. The Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies, funded by a generous gift from Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski—Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004)—and her husband and former trustee, Keith Bednarowski, followed in 2024. Finally, in 2025, a cadre of friends, alums, and former faculty established the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts. These chairs, paired with substantial growth in endowed scholarships, feature prominently in President Marshall’s legacy and will endure as a witness to her faithful stewardship of alum and donor relations. Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson, Vice President for Advancement, reflects, “President Marshall’s enthusiasm, attention, and engagement with our donors have been important components of her leadership. She has honored our alums and delighted in our students. Molly has valued United’s history even as she has led us into new ways of being. She has built a culture that reflects her dedication, vision, and generosity. She has been a bright light in the broader community, embodying her passion for and dedication to United. Molly arrived with both expertise and heart, and she has shared them generously. She leaves a lasting imprint, and we are better for that. On a personal note, it has been a great gift to be her colleague.” Historic enrollment has been a fixture of President Marshall’s tenure. Between fall 2020 and fall 2025, degree-seeking student enrollment grew 57 percent, with the seminary welcoming its largest incoming class of degree-seeking students ever in fall 2025. In a climate where many theological schools have experienced stable or declining enrollment, United has surged. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), one of the seminary’s two accrediting bodies, named United in its 2023 Holiday Colloquy Online issue as one of only 18 ATS-accredited seminaries to have demonstrated “steady year-over-year growth during the past five years.” President Marshall has positioned United as a leader in progressive theological education and a model for historically Mainline Christian schools. Commenting on what makes the seminary unique, President Marshall astutely noted United’s “desirable curriculum that emphasizes social transformation, theology and the arts, interreligious engagement, and public theology” and the intentional welcome of “students with myriad religious, spiritual, and theological leanings.” She sharpened and raised the seminary’s prophetic voice, believing that progressive theological education exists to serve the common good. From considerable growth in the Interreligious Chaplaincy program to the establishment of the Sims Scholars Initiative, she has expanded the student body’s depth and breadth. Under President Marshall’s fastidious leadership, United completed a Five-Year Strategic Plan in 2026. David S. Anderson, former Chair of the Board of Trustees (2020–2026), witnessed firsthand President Marshall’s effective management of United’s revitalization and her manifold accomplishments in office. On his close friend and colleague, David writes, “In her writings, President Marshall, Molly to me, once observed, ‘. . . following the Spirit will require of all of us faith—all the guidance we usually get is enough to take the next uncertain step.’ United, in late 2020, was indeed in a state of uncertainty, and President Marshall’s emergence as its next president must be seen as a revelation of the Spirit. She has led United to a platform of stability from which it will move forward with confidence, heeding the Spirit toward an uncertain, as human endeavors are, but bright and sustainable future.” Dr. Kyle Roberts, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared the news of President Marshall’s retirement with students this morning. With profound gratitude for her enrichment of the seminary’s faculty and scholarship, he remarked, “President Marshall has been just the leader this seminary needed to reclaim its vision, its vibrancy, and its voice in theological education. She has led a process of internal healing and of increasing external influence. She has been a champion of rigorous but applied theological education for spiritual leadership, supporting and encouraging the faculty in their teaching and the staff in their work. United,” he affirmed, “will always be indebted to her years of service and to her passion and care in moving the seminary to its next stage. United is, once again, a leading voice in progressive seminary education in large part because of President Marshall.” Rev. Dr. Dianne Oliver, Chair of the Board of Trustees, celebrates President Marshall’s transformative tenure and looks toward a bright future ahead. She affirms, “President Marshall’s impact on United is really extraordinary, and she will leave a profound legacy at the institution. Clearly, she has been successful in the ways often highlighted for an outstanding President—record enrollment, expanded academic programs, and financial stability, building a strong foundation for the next steps on United’s journey. Add to these leadership successes Molly’s theological acumen and prophetic voice in challenging times, and it is easy to see the scope of her leadership. Just as importantly, though, Molly has helped create a deep sense of community among the faculty, staff, students, trustees, and the broader community who support the work of United. Her leadership and accomplishments ensure United will keep living into the fullness of its mission and vision as the context for theological education continues to evolve.” Reflecting on her service to the seminary, President Marshall writes, “Serving as United’s President has been a joyful pursuit over these past several years as I have lived into the storied history of this good seminary. I have been invited into a theologically expansive landscape where courageous learning and creative ministries have renewed my own vocation in theological education.” She continues, “Faculty, staff, students, board members, donors, and friends have welcomed me to help craft this chapter of our shared mission. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve as United’s tenth president. (Don’t say goodbye to me yet; there’s still work to be done!)” A Presidential Search Committee, comprised of trustees and representatives from the student body, alums, faculty, and staff, has been engaged in faithful preparation ahead of the public search for President Marshall’s successor. The seminary will share details about this process in the days ahead. Friends and colleagues from throughout President Marshall’s career were invited to submit reflections in her honor. These have been published on our announcement page. United eagerly anticipates celebrating President Marshall and her myriad contributions to the life of the seminary community during special events in spring 2027. Details will be made available in the months ahead. Strengthened and invigorated by President Marshall’s faithful leadership over these six years, United enters its 65th year of progressive theological education, steadfast in its mission: preparing innovative and compassionate leaders for the equipping of churches, other faith communities, and society toward justice and peace. Honoring President Marshall In celebration of President Marshall's tenure, a webpage featuring images, reflections by friends and colleagues, and opportunities to honor her achievements is now available. Visit the link below to learn more. Learn More 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. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • 651.255.6138

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April 12, 2025
Faculty Holidays Judaism

Passover Reflections from Dr. Mary Lane Potter

Passover is a time of joy. As Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav says, “When the mind is linked to joy, it is taken out of bondage and becomes free.” In my family, we sing, drum, fill Miriam’s well of living water beside Elijah’s cup of wine, take turns walking through two shimmering blue walls of water as everyone sings Wade in the Water or Yismechu Hashamayim, and end by dancing on dry land. Passover is also a time of deep reflection on oppression, justice, mercy, the enslaved, liberation, freedom, refugees, all those who hunger for food, shelter, and justice, and the oft-repeated commandment “Befriend the stranger; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Dt. 10:19) I am grateful every year for this ritual of remembering and reflecting, but especially this year, given the turbulence in the U.S., Gaza, Israel, and elsewhere. In my family, we invite that reflection in many ways. Here are just a few.  Before we begin the maggid, the telling, we remind ourselves that ours is not a triumphalist, us/them, or othering story but a profoundly theological telling that invites us to a complex view of Jewish life and all human life. “In the beginning our ancestors served idols,” we say. “My ancestor was a wandering Aramean,” we add, recalling a man whom tradition identifies as Laban, who tried to get rid of his own son-in-law, Jacob. “We were slaves but now we’re free,” we chant, yes, but it is not only the Egyptians who caused us to suffer, we are reminded. We, too, have gone astray and acted unjustly, misused our freedom, before, during, and after our liberation from Egypt. Our telling is one of hope and thankfulness, not righteousness and purity. At the start of the maggid, following a custom of Rav Huna (3rd century CE), a man familiar with poverty, we stand by the open door of our house as we sing “This is the bread of affliction…Let all who are hungry come and eat.” It is our pledge that we will welcome the stranger in need. During the telling, we follow a Sephardic custom of wrapping a piece of matzoh—the bread of affliction and the bread of the journey to freedom, a symbol of hope and trust that our struggles, our bitterness, our constricted hearts and imaginations, our terror will be transformed into abundant life—in a napkin, throwing it over our shoulder, and walking around the room.  “Where are you coming from?” someone asks. “From Egypt, The Narrow Place!” we reply. As we walk, we each reflect on what we need to leave behind. What values, attitudes, and actions are we carrying with us that we learned from our oppressors? What habits are keeping us prisoners?  What have we grown accustomed to that is no longer serving us, that may cause harm to ourselves, others, and our society? What burdens do we need to lay down? As Rabbi Hanoch of Alexander said, “The real exile of Israel in Egypt was that they learned to endure it.” Then, when the leader asks, “Where are you going?” We answer, “To Jerusalem, City of Peace! City of Joy!” As we make another circuit round the room carrying our journey bread, we each reflect on what a truly free life looks like for ourselves, our people, our country, all humankind, the earth. What will we do with our freedom? Will we resist injustice? Pursue justice? Spread compassion? When we take our seats, we unwrap our journey bread, break off a piece—symbol of broken dreams, broken promises, broken laws, broken bodies—and set it in a communal bowl, as a pledge to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with M’qom HaOlam, Dwelling of the World, M’qor ‘Or, Fountain of Light, Ein Chayyim, Wellspring of Life, as a token that we owe tzedakah, righteousness, to those who are today enslaved, those whose spirits are crushed, refugees, exiles, prisoners, and that we will fulfill it. For when one of us is in chains, not one of us can be free.  Chag Pesach Sameach! A joyous and meaningful Passover to all! _______________________________ Note: Artwork used in this reflection (from artist David Moss' beautiful 1983 art haggadah, based on the Ashkenazic medieval Birdshead haggadah but showing Jews caged and free) was supplied by Mary Potter.

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April 10, 2025
Announcements Community News News Releases

United Will Award Frank Sims with Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) Degree at Its 2025 Commencement

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, April 10, 2025. In honor of Frank Sims’ decades of community leadership and support for innovative education, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is thrilled to announce that it will award Sims with a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) at its 2025 Commencement Exercises on April 27. Since the 1990s, Sims—now a retired corporate vice-president from Cargill, Inc., and former Board Chair and Interim President of Fisk University—has generously blessed United with his time, expertise, and stalwart support for its values and mission. In the 1990s, after Sims moved to the Twin Cities for work, he connected with United through a former Cargill colleague, Dr. Kita McVay (’96, ’09), who was serving on the board. She asked if he would like to serve on United’s board of trustees. After meeting with United President Ben Griffin (1987–1995) and learning more about the school’s progressive history and its more diverse and inclusive theological education, he gladly accepted. Since he first joined United’s board, Sims has served two full terms as a trustee, worked on capital campaigns, and supported scholarships for United students. Recently, Sims and his wife, Robyn, worked with President Molly T. Marshall to establish the Sims Scholars Initiative, a project designed to educate and prepare leaders who desire to constructively engage issues confronting Black spiritual communities. The initiative operates by selecting and mentoring a cohort of students to attend a unique, tuition-free Master of Arts in Leadership degree program at United. The first cohort entered seminary in 2024; applications for the 2025 cohort are due May 1. During his involvement with the seminary, Sims has often remarked on the importance of promoting education and giving back to the community. He has also expressed the belief that theological study can help people to understand the biblical values of charity, humility, and service. “Over the years,“ notes President Marshall, “Frank Sims has demonstrated his care for theological education and the church through providing generous scholarship assistance to United. An experienced leader, he has contributed greatly to higher education and, particularly, to this good school. We rejoice in the opportunity to honor him at Commencement.” Rev. Dr. Gary Green, United’s Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Social Transformation and Director of Anti-Racist Initiatives, declares, “My spirit has wanted to call Frank Sims ‘Doctor’ since we met, having heard of the myriad ways he has supported the mission of United. But now, after having worked with him in the creation of the Sims Scholars Initiative, I know firsthand of his worthiness for this honor, and I am elated that we are celebrating his living legacy in this way!”  “I am so grateful for the generosity of Frank Sims in establishing this scholarship. When our faculty speak of the students this initiative has attracted to United, they glow about the energy, the enthusiasm, and the dedication of students participating in the Sims Initiative. The many ways they contribute to the larger United community, and vice versa, have been a blessing to our seminary,” adds Dr. Kyle Roberts, Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean, and Schilling Professor of Public Theology and Church and Economic Life. United will celebrate the graduating class of 2025 and award a Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Sims during its 63rd Commencement on Sunday, April 27, at 3:00 PM CT, at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, MN. Details, including onsite and online registration, can be viewed here. ______________ About United Founded by the nascent United Church of Christ as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the cutting edge of progressive theological thought leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to train leaders who dismantle systems of oppression, explore multi-faith spirituality, and push the boundaries of knowledge. Contact Nathanial Green (he/him), Director of Marketing and Communications United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities press@unitedseminary.edu • (651) 255-6138 Admissions admissions@unitedseminary.edu  

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March 6, 2025

Donors Establish the Wilson Yates Chair of Theology and the Arts

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, March 6, 2025. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Wilson Yates Chair of Theology and the Arts. This tenure-track, endowed faculty position will be made possible by gifts from a cadre of United friends, alums, and former faculty. The chair’s beloved namesake, Wilson Yates, President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion, Society, and the Arts, has had a storied career and made significant contributions to United, perhaps none more so than in the development of United’s work in the field of theology and the arts. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Divinity School and Harvard University, where he did his PhD, he joined the United faculty in 1967, later becoming the Dean in 1988 and President in 1996 before retiring in 2005. Wilson’s visionary leadership expanded and deepened the connection between imagination, creativity, and theology as expressed through the arts that has been core to United’s academic ethos for decades, evidenced by the art from students and alums lining the walls of United’s campus, and anchoring its publications, programs, and digital media. As a professor, Wilson had a transformative impact on his students’ understanding of their art as theology and their theology as art, empowering them to find their creative voices. As Dean, he invited the faculty to explore and expand their understanding of the arts and the critical role that they could play in teaching. As President, he was active in the larger national and international conversations taking place regarding theology and the arts. In addition to teaching, Wilson has been a prolific speaker, author, and contributor to publications. In 1987, he wrote The Arts in Theological Education: New Possibilities for Integration in which he designed and evaluated a comprehensive study of where and to what extent the arts were integrated in theological studies in 134 seminaries of the ATS (Association of Theological Schools). His later writings included the book Art, Theology and the Church which he co-edited with Kimberly Vrudny (’95), exploring the factors that made possible the rise of interest in the arts in the church as well as in the early programs of theological schools. Wilson, along with Jane Dillenberger, John Dillenberger, Doug Adams, Robin Jensen, Terrence Dempsey, Jim Waits, John Cook, Catherine Kapikian, and Kimberly Vrudny (’95)—as well as other important figures—were instrumental in creating and developing the first theology and arts programs in seminaries. In his writings, Wilson identified six key points of intersection between art and theology, including an understanding of the role of the arts in worship; art as a key to understanding Christian history; art as a means of experiencing the human condition; art as a means of encountering the prophetic; art as a form of the sacramental; and art as a source of Christian vision. In 1988, he founded and edited the journal ARTS: The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies, and in 1997, he co-edited and published The Grotesque in Art and Literature: Theological Reflections with James Luther Adams, his advisor at Harvard. In 2002, Wilson was a leader in the creation of SARTS, the Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies. Published in 2009, the book Visual Theology: Forming and Transforming the Community through the Arts—edited by Robin Jensen and Kimberly Vrudny (’95)—was dedicated to Wilson and his legacy: a desire to see the arts as a necessary part of theological education. In his work after retirement, Wilson has continued to teach and write, focusing on artists who have been lifelong theological companions, including the historical artists Andrej Rublev, Giotto, and Rembrandt, and artists from the twentieth century such as Käthe Kollwitz, Picasso, Marc Chagall, Rouault, Barbara Hepworth, and Jacob Lawrence. Dr. Kyle Roberts, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, celebrates his predecessor’s impact on United’s faculty and academic offerings, saying, “One can hardly think of United without also thinking of Theology and the Arts, and vice versa. And one can hardly think of both without also thinking of Wilson Yates. Wilson's academic work and creativity in Theology and the Arts birthed that spirit and focus at United, establishing a unique identity among seminaries. This endowed chair in his name and honor secures that historic identity and legacy for decades to come." Dr. James L. Waits, Dean Emeritus of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, has known and worked with Wilson for decades. Reflecting on his friend and colleague, Dr. Waits asserts, “I have known Wilson Yates for over fifty years, and have admired his substantive contributions both to the church and to theological education. His love for and advocacy for the arts has been a unique and special gift to colleagues and institutions alike.” With gratitude for Wilson’s living legacy and the generosity of these committed supporters, President Molly T. Marshall reflects, “What a joyful project it has been to gather friends of United, Wilson’s many friends, to provide funding for this chair. This endowed chair rightly honors his legacy, and this good school continues his groundbreaking work in theology and the arts, extending it in ever-new directions. We have learned from him that a longing for beauty is akin to a longing for God.” A natural progression of Wilson’s vision and leadership, this chair supports, in perpetuity, the centrality of the arts at United as a core pillar of the seminary’s educational experience. The United community will celebrate the installation of a faculty member into this new Chair soon. United is excited to name this faculty member and share more about this event in the months to come. United offers its deepest gratitude to those many whose gifts will establish the Wilson Yates Chair of Theology and the Arts: A Grateful Student  Jo & Daniel O. Aleshire David & Jeanne Anderson David A. (’84) & Julie B. Bard Mary Farrell Bednarowski & Keith Bednarowski Ted Bowman Julie R. Brown & Jones Adkins (in memory of Harriet Spencer) Pat Browne (’23) Lucy & Robert Brusic Ann & David† Buran Larry & Andy Dunbar Sue Ebbers (’78) & Carolyn Pressler Estate of Priscilla (’83, “Cil”) & Jack Braun Amy & Jack Fistler Terry & David Gilberstadt Ruth & John Huss Marva Jean Hutchens (’80) Cindi Beth Johnson & Thor Mickelson Barbara Anne Keely Stuart Knappmiller (’97) Elizabeth Macaulay (’99) & Cooper Wiggen Linda & Warren Mack Kathi Austin Mahle (’78) & Steve Mahle Julie Mall (’85) Molly T. Marshall Robert† & Polly McCrea Fergus & Ann (Schilling) McKiernan Kita McVay (’96, ’09) & James Wm Johnson Jonathan (’00) & Martha Morgan Mary Ann Murray (’76) Christie Cozad Neuger (’80) & Win Neuger Vonda Pearson (’98) Jim Peck (’99) Ruth Phelps (’85) Mary Pickard Martha Postlethwaite Bill & Susan Sands Belle & Robert† H. Scott Joan Soranno & John Cook Terhuly Foundation Bundy Trinz (’10) Lynn & Carol Truesdell Michelle & Chris Turnau Ron & Carol Vantine Fentress† & James Waits Wilson Yates There’s still time to join these many donors by making a gift to the Yates Chair! Please contact Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson, Vice President for Advancement, at cbjohnson@unitedseminary.edu to make your contribution and be part of this extraordinary moment. 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 train leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him), Director of Marketing and Communications United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities press@unitedseminary.edu • 651-255-6138 The photo of Wilson teaching is by James Butler. Used with permission from Hennepin Avenue UMC. † Deceased

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February 18, 2025
Activism Black Liberation Theology Civil Rights justice leadership social justice

The Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice Finds a New Home at United’s Leadership Center for Social Justice

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2025. Now in its third year of operation, the Leadership Center for Social Justice (the Center) at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is thrilled to announce that the Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice (Hawkinson Fund) is a new programmatic focus thanks to an agreement with Grace University Lutheran Church (Grace Church).  Moving forward, the Center will lead the Hawkinson Fund while furthering the Fund’s mission of supporting individuals who have demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing peace and social justice through justice-oriented projects, standing up for their convictions, or displaying ongoing leadership within a peace or justice organization. Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow, director of the Leadership Center for Social Justice, asserts, “The fruit of Rev. Hawkinson's prophetic ministry and vocal opposition to the Vietnam War, the Hawkinson Fund has recognized and funded social justice leadership for more than 35 years. In the current context of rising authoritarianism, border walls, militarism, and war, the mission of the Hawkinson Fund stands out as a beacon of hope that another way and another world is possible. We are thrilled by the opportunity to lead the Fund in its next chapter.” The Fund was created in 1988 in honor of long-time pastor and justice activist, Rev. Vincent L. Hawkinson. Hawkinson, who passed away in 2001, believed that religious leaders should speak up and act against injustices and violence in the world. He marched in the South during the Civil Rights movement and took a stand against the Vietnam War. In 1956, Rev. Hawkinson was called to Grace Church in Minneapolis, where he served until 1988. Stan Jacobson, Chair of the Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice at Grace University Lutheran Church, avers: “We are thrilled that United’s and LCSJ’s leaders have welcomed the Hawkinson Fund to its new home in light of the congruence of our respective missions to lift up and foster leaders pursuing social justice and peace in our communities and around the world. The transfer will allow for new opportunities to extend the Hawkinson Fund’s mission beyond Grace University Lutheran Church to like-minded people and congregations seeking to advance social justice.” The consonance of mission between the Hawkinson Fund and the Leadership Center for Social Justice should ensure a smooth transition. In keeping with the mission to inspire bold action for justice, the Hawkinson Fund at the Leadership Center for Social Justice is now seeking scholarship applications from undergraduate and graduate students in Minnesota, regardless of religious affiliation or citizenship. The Hawkinson Fund offers three to five $2,500–$5,000 scholarships each year to candidates who have served as role models in moving society toward a more just and peaceful future. Applications are due March 17. United President Molly T. Marshall adds, “United is grateful for the opportunity to extend the Hawkinson legacy of peace and justice as we steward these generous funds. This seminary’s mission is very much aligned with the emphasis on empowering students for social justice.” United and the Leadership Center for Social Justice are excited to expand the Center’s reach and support promising social change agents in college or graduate school. Communities desperately need youth and adults who will fight for justice and stand up for the common good. Financial support of any kind is one of the more significant ways you can partner in this necessary work. If you would like to make a gift to United’s Leadership Center for Social Justice, or directly to the Hawkinson Fund, click here and be sure to select “Leadership Center for Social Justice” or “Hawkinson Fund” from the drop-down menu. About The Leadership Center for Social Justice United’s Leadership Center for Social Justice seeks to equip, inspire, and empower leaders to faithfully and reflectively engage in concrete, contextual ministry for social justice. In the spirit of faith, hope, and love, the Center supports leaders in developing skills in contextually sensitive, creative, and effective leadership and social praxis. About United Founded by the nascent United Church of Christ as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the cutting edge of progressive theological thought leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to train leaders who dismantle systems of oppression, explore multi-faith spirituality, and push the boundaries of knowledge.

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February 11, 2025
Academics Faculty Legacy united faculty

Remembering Dr. Marilyn J. Salmon, Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology

Dr. Marilyn J. Salmon, Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology (1989–2014), is fondly remembered as a committed scholar, a dedicated teacher, a faithful religious leader, and an early and passionate advocate for interfaith dialogue and understanding. Born and raised in Minnesota, Marilyn earned her BA from Concordia College, Moorhead, her MDiv from Northwestern Theological Seminary (now Luther Seminary), and her PhD from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she developed a lifelong passion for the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Marilyn worked on the Gospel of Luke in her doctoral dissertation and, in that research, advanced scholarship about the differences between Christian and Jewish readings of Scripture, work that she continued to explore throughout her life.  Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, shares, “When Marilyn arrived in 1989, she was first among the ‘new’ faculty who arrived at United as members of the original faculty began to retire. Her joy in being at United and her love for her subject matter made her a delightful colleague.” Mary continues, “She certainly opened my eyes to the widespread nature of unintended anti-Judaism in Christian theology and preaching, and she was generous in sharing elements of her own spiritual journey. And, I still have her recipe for lamb stew.” Marilyn was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1990 and served for many years at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul. Active in the diocese, she also worked as part of the Bishop’s Staff in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota as a Missioner for the School for Formation, helping create classes that would serve lay and ordained ministers. In these and other roles, she contributed in significant ways to the vitality and strength of the church.  A challenging but revered teacher, Marilyn made a significant contribution to students’ more nuanced and broadened understanding of the New Testament. Students were encouraged to approach texts with creativity and imagination. They were invited to look for new ways to read familiar passages and to experiment with interpretation while also staying true to the text. Artist and sculptor Doug Abbott (’10) affirms that “Marilyn challenged and turned upside down a set of assumptions I had about my religious identity.… The foundation that came from the growth under her tutelage marvels me to this day.”  As Karen Larson (’12) attests in a Facebook comment, “I hear her voice every time I run across a passage that sounds anti-Jewish.” Dr. Lyle Schlundt (’15) adds, “She was a great teacher. [I] will never forget her saying, ‘Jesus was a Jew talking to other Jews about Judaism.’” Maureen Smith (’01) notes, “I often quote her in the Bible study I lead at my church. I say my New Testament teacher said one of her missions in life was to restore to the Pharisees their good name.” “She was an engaging professor and always very kind to me,” asserts Amanda McElray Hunter (’10). “Her legacy and commitment to building peace through interfaith work will live on through her students.” Rev. T. Michael Rock, Director of Contextual Education and Spiritual Direction, adds, “As a contextual education supervisor for many of Dr. Salmon’s students, I was always impressed with their exegetical acumen, good historical criticism and knowledge, and practical applications of scripture. Like many gifted seminary professors, Dr. Salmon had a lasting impact on the local church through her students.” In a testament to her myriad achievements, Marilyn was awarded the Founders Medallion by the Graduate Studies department at Hebrew Union College. Awarded to a PhD graduate from at least 25 years ago, she was honored for her support of “vibrant faith communities.” Her leadership skills were also evident at United where she served in a variety of administrative roles, including acting dean. Dr. Kita McVay (’96, ’09), former United President, writes, “Marilyn and I worked closely together as colleagues when Dean Richard Weis took sabbatical and Marilyn stepped in as acting dean. Marilyn could hold in tension the multiple interests within the seminary, from fundraising to analyzing new models of education, and brought her deep experience of United and its singular identity to the role of acting dean. Her own spiritual journey had no stopping point, and Marilyn continued pushing the boundaries to find her authentic place. Her conversion to Judaism was, of course, a major milestone in the journey. She found at Mount Zion a home where her exploration could continue, a warm community, and, much too soon, a locus for final consecration.” Marilyn’s gifts to the community included leadership in interreligious engagement. For many years, she served on the Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning advisory board. The Center was founded in 1985 at the College (now University) of St. Thomas. A gifted speaker, she delivered lectures and led workshops locally and across the United States on the Bible, Feminism, and interfaith dialogue. She taught adult education series for churches and ecumenical and interfaith organizations, and she frequently facilitated Continuing Education workshops, helping participants find creative ways to approach the Lectionary texts for preaching.  In 2006, Marilyn’s book Preaching without Contempt: Overcoming Unintended Anti-Judaism was published. She sought to address practically ways in which Christian preachers often unintentionally perpetuate anti-Judaism in their teaching and sermons. This publication, dedicated to her sons, in the hope that one day they would ask her why she had to write it, was a culmination of her lifelong work. Reflecting on her ongoing scholarship, Marilyn wrote, “I want our students to be passionate, creative, responsible interpreters of the Scriptures, knowledgeable about both ancient contexts and contemporary audience….I am committed to raising awareness of the caricatures of Judaism that permeate biblical preaching and teaching and perpetuate Christian anti-Judaism. I believe that the integrity of the Christian Gospel is at stake.”  In 2015, just after her retirement, Marilyn was the Didier Seminar Speaker at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, filling in for the widely respected New Testament scholar and theologian Marcus J. Borg, who had recently died. “Jesus Then and Now” was the title of her address.  Later in life, Marilyn’s commitment to her scholarship and devotion to the study of theology and biblical texts led her to discern a calling away from the priesthood in the Episcopal Church and into Judaism. She became an active member and participant in her community of Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, where she continued to share her many gifts.  As President Molly T. Marshall observes, “United grieves the death of this fine scholar-practitioner who expanded the seminary’s inter-religious engagement. Treasured as a professor and beloved colleague, we give thanks for her graceful imprint.” United gives thanks for the many ways in which Marilyn served students, alums, fellow faculty, and the broader community, working to promote peace and understanding about diverse faith traditions and expressions. May her memory be a blessing for us all.  A service for Marilyn was held at Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul on Thursday, February 13, at 12:30 PM. You can live-stream the service. A Celebration of Life followed the service at Shamrocks in St. Paul. Everyone was welcome at both events. For more information, you can read Marilyn’s obituary here. 

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January 9, 2025
Beliefs justice Legacy peace

A Jimmy Carter Kind of Baptist

Among my progressive Baptist friends, we have a saying about identity: “I am a Jimmy Carter kind of Baptist.” Deeply Christian, he was unwaveringly committed to racial justice, the inclusion of women as pastoral leaders, the glad acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ persons within the Body of Christ, and the twin hallmarks of freedom of conscience and religious liberty. Three encounters with the former president helped shape my appreciation of his legacy. While a young theology professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I heard his vibrant concern for social justice as he was our commencement speaker. Not only was his address a call to the graduates to act for those on the margins of society, but his demeanor of respect for everyone he encountered while in our midst demonstrated that regard. Besides, it was great fun to sit a couple of chairs away from a Secret Service agent clad in an academic robe, complete with earpiece. Seated nearby was a faculty member with an ancient hearing aid that dangled from his ear; one was licensed to kill, the other to flunk. A second encounter occurred at the Carter Center when Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter convened a group to implement “The New Baptist Covenant,” an initiative primarily devoted to seeking reconciliation and collaboration between Black and White Baptists. The Carters understood the inequities caused by segregated worship and segregated communities and wanted to mobilize the healing of fractures caused by racism. Their passion for overcoming persistent discrimination was contagious. Subsequently, President Carter committed to attending regional meetings to help promote the agenda of this emerging covenant. I was a part of the planning group that brought him to Kansas City. Sharing a platform and observing his clarity of purpose strengthened my resolve. The preacher of the occasion was Rev. Carolyn Ann Knight, a gifted Black woman, and his enthusiasm for her message reached revivalistic proportions! It revealed what he valued and expressed his easy rapport with his Black kin. We celebrate the life of this good man at a precarious time in our nation’s history. I trust that the guidance we received from his well-lived life is not lost by either church or society.

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January 8, 2025
social justice social transformation students VOICES

Ryan Cagle’s Ministry Leads through Social Transformation & Eco-Justice

Student Ryan Cagle, who grew up in what he describes as the “backwoods of Alabama and the foothills of Appalachia,” is pursuing both an MDiv in Social Transformation and an MA in Eco-Justice. For the past three years, he has also been the driving force behind a social justice ministry in Parrish, Alabama, called Jubilee House Community. It is a big lift, but Ryan finds that his academic work at United is complementing his home ministry. “Seminary has always been a dream for me—something I always wanted to do,” Ryan shares. He’s been involved in ministry since he was 18 and supplemented his ministry with extensive reading. When he decided to pursue seminary, there were no local options. United, however, seemed like a good fit. “The theology and the place and the diversity that is here and embodied in the community,” Ryan explains, was what he needed. Social transformation was an obvious choice since Ryan was already engaged in community organizing and social justice work. Still, much of his ministry in Alabama deals with “ecologically oriented” issues, so he wanted to explore that side too. Fortunately, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, associate professor of Christian Ethics and Social Transformation, supported by the McVay Endowment, allowed Ryan to create a self-directed study in Land, Food, Faith, and Justice. Once United added the MA in Eco-Justice, Ryan couldn’t resist adding that degree.  Ryan asserts he cannot “quantify the number of ways that what I’m learning [at United] is actively helping me refine the actual on-the-ground work that I’m doing.” His academic work, Ryan says, is enhancing how he relates, leads, and ministers to others, how they approach decision-making, and how they effectuate eco-justice for those in their community.  With no state funding, Jubilee House Community operates a 24/7 food pantry, a free store for non-perishable items, a community garden, and Alabama’s first, second, and third free 24/7 Narcan® (naloxone) distribution sites (part of their harm reduction efforts). It’s an amazing, heart-filled, and transformational ministry. “I love United.” Ryan avows. “It’s been one of the most life-affirming and vocation-affirming places I’ve ever been and experienced in my entire life.”

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January 6, 2025

Remembering Rev. Dr. Bob Bryant, Professor Emeritus

In 1961, just before United was formed, Robert H. Bryant was hired as the successor to Frederick Herzog at Mission House Seminary. He came from Center College in Danville, Kentucky, and earned his BD and PhD at Yale University. At the first formal meeting of faculty for United, Bob presented a paper, “The Word of God and the Scriptures,” in which he posited that the Word is dynamic, of the world, and not a static symbol. His doctoral dissertation, published in 1968, focused on similar themes. During his 30-year tenure at United, Bob spent 10 years as a professor of Systematic Theology and another 20 years as a professor of Constructive Theology. He served twice on the board, developed a course that dealt with comparative creation stories for 12 Native American students who came to United in 1978, took a sabbatical year to teach at a seminary in South Africa, and published numerous book chapters and articles. Former students remember Bob as a dedicated scholar and devoted teacher who challenged his students to consider multiple perspectives. In comments shared on a United Facebook post in October, Norm Pavey (’69, ’74, ’84) wrote that Bob arranged for several students to work at the Minnesota legislature in the 1968–69 school year. “It was,” Norm recalled, “an outstanding experience.” Ted Meads (’71) noted that Bob was “a phenomenal and very serious teacher.” Ken Daniel (’81) remembered Bob as “soft-spoken and very caring” and said “he had a true heart for UTS and the students.” Judy Bagley-Bonner (’86) extolled Bob as “a terrific theologian, teacher, and person,” and John Swisher (’82) described him as a “great and inspiring teacher.”  “As our professor of Constructive Theology,” Swisher continued, “he was always challenging us to new understandings that spoke both of the traditional giants of theology but also the newest developments, including his special emphasis on liberation theology and the work of Allan Aubrey Boesak and others in South Africa.” Reflecting on Bob’s passing, Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates, President Emeritus, asserts, “Bob Bryant was an early professor of United, having moved here from Mission House as Professor of Theology. He had a great influence on students and gave them a breadth of theological options in the Modern Christian World. Bob made a significant contribution to the development of United.” Rev. Dr. Ed Martin, Professor Emeritus of Contextual and Historical Studies, adds: As I think of Bob, I recall the passion for social and environmental justice that he demonstrated in his teaching and personal life. He wanted his students to be aware of and learn from other cultures, people, and locations. His cultural immersion trips to Central America in the 1980s foreshadowed the ATS emphasis in the mid-1990s on such learning experiences and laid the groundwork for the cross-cultural requirements in the UTS curriculum. In 1991, … he recruited me to accompany him to Nicaragua and Costa Rica with about a dozen students for the January term. My 20-year-old son and I did just that, and it literally changed our lives.  President Molly T. Marshall contends, “The significant reputation that United enjoys is rooted in its earliest faculty members. Rev. Dr. Bryant brought erudition and broad learning to the fledgling seminary, and our current faculty extends his legacy.” As we observe the passing of a seminal United faculty member at the age of 99, we honor the blessed memory of Bob Bryant and give thanks for all of the ways he mentored, taught, and inspired students at United, and supported justice-leaning causes. United grieves with his family for the loss of this great man and is truly grateful for the legacy of Rev. Dr. Bob Bryant. The family held a celebration of life on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 1:30 PM EST at First Congregational UCC,1031 S. Euclid, Sarasota, FL 34237.

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January 3, 2025
Faculty

Remembering Rev. Dr. Clyde J. Steckel, Professor Emeritus

In June 1970, Rev. Dr. Clyde J. Steckel joined United’s faculty as associate professor of Theology and Psychology. He was also asked to provide counseling, supervise communication groups, and facilitate the North Central Career Development Center. Originally from Indiana, Clyde earned his BD at Chicago Theological Seminary and his MA and PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School. His connection with and myriad contributions to United, however, began a few years before that formal appointment and extended far beyond his official retirement. In the mid-1960s, while working as a campus minister at the University of Minnesota, Clyde served as an interim professor. Clyde also provided important leadership on United’s Advisory Council during the 1960s. In 1974–75, Clyde and Rev. Dr. Don White received Lilly faculty grants through The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to investigate the feasibility of using competency education at a theological school. After Dean Tom Campbell’s death in 1979, President Dayton Hultgren appointed Clyde as interim academic vice president. He was the inaugural director of the DMin program and director of the MDiv program at the time. In 1980, Clyde became the permanent academic vice president (dean). During the ten years he spent as dean, Clyde accomplished many things while serving as the person of continuity. In 1982, following Hultgren’s resignation, Clyde brought United through its accreditation. He also worked to relieve faculty of the burden of administrative detail and helped United make good on its commitments to women, feminism, LGBTQ+ students and faculty, and Native American students and faculty. In 1983, Clyde’s book Theology and Ethics of Behavior Modification was published. He relinquished his position in 1989 to pursue his primary passions—teaching and writing. Many alums remember Clyde from his teaching days. As Rev. Michael Ciba (’92) asserted, Clyde “was the epitome of a pastor/scholar/teacher. I had four classes with him in my time at United. He graciously traveled to Ohio to preach at my ordination service. I am grateful that he answered God’s call throughout his whole life.” Rev. Terri Akkerman (’89) added “I’m so glad Clyde was a part of my theological education and training. And that I was able to claim him as a friend. Thanks be to God for his life and ministry.” Others were won over by Clyde’s gentle soul, generous and curious spirit, and academic gifts. Rev. Dr. Christie Cozad Neuger (’80), Professor Emerita of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Theology, was Clyde’s student, colleague, and friend. As she reflected, “Clyde Steckel was a beloved teacher, scholar, musician, novelist, colleague, family man, and friend. He was a deeply spiritual person who devoted his life to the church. From a personal standpoint, Clyde was my teacher, my mentor, and my dear friend over the past almost 50 years. His stalwart encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue a life of teaching and scholarship in pastoral theology. It was an enormous personal and professional honor to become his colleague and then his successor at UTS in 1992. I, along with so many other friends, former students, colleagues, and fellow congregants, will miss him and grieve him deeply even as we experience profound gratitude for his life well-lived.” Sue Ebbers (’78), Professor Emerita of Theological Bibliography, recalled, “Clyde was a wonderful teacher, combining his dry wit with thorough knowledge of his discipline and of the church.” Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler, Professor Emerita of Biblical Interpretation, noted that “Clyde embodied the best of UTS and the UCC. His death leaves a big hole…how his humor, wisdom, and brilliance enriched our lives.” Though Clyde formally retired in 1995, he did not really leave. After a short break, he returned to teaching as an adjunct professor at United, writing, and participating in the life of the UCC. Clyde contributed chapters to various publications, including Theomusicology: A Special Issue of Black Sacred Music, Prism: A Theological Forum for the United Church of Christ, and Theology Today. Clyde was also the interim conference minister in the UCC Minnesota Conference and an interim senior minister in local congregations. In New Ecclesiology and Polity: The United Church of Christ, published in 2009, Clyde argued that the UCC needs to reshape its ecclesiology and polity to ensure its future as a faithful and strong ministry in the post-modern world. In 2012, he completed a book about the Minnesota Conference titled Fifty Years of Covenant Keeping.  After serving as a United trustee three times between 1972 and 1979, Clyde returned as a trustee in 2017. In 2018, he wrote Finding the Church: A Personal Memoir. In 2023, he turned to fiction with Therefore, We Celebrate: Igitur, and in 2024, he published the more reflective Meditations on Aging.  His impact on the UCC and congregational leadership cannot be overstated. Rev. T. Michael Rock, Director of Contextual Education and Spiritual Direction, notes, “Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel was the consummate United Church of Christ theologian and ecumenical scholar. He so believed in the experiment that began as the United Church of Christ that he always encouraged its evolution and alignment with following Jesus. Clyde loved his faith and the community gathered, and we were all blessed to witness that love.” Through Clyde’s role on the board of trustees, his status as a major UCC theologian, and attendance at various events, many new students and faculty got to know the person some dubbed “Mr. UCC.” Tributes have poured in. Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski, Professor Emerita, reflects, "For 25 of my cherished, nearly 50-year friendship with Clyde, we served together on the board of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research. All the gifts for which we treasured him at United were put to fruitful use in the work of the Institute: the depth and breadth of his generous heart and intellect; his prodigious memory; his astonishingly broad knowledge of music, art, architecture, and literature; and, always, his kindness. He lived a deeply ecumenical life by embodying and sharing the best of his own tradition. Clyde was my guide into the history and polity (a word I learned from Clyde) of the progressive Protestantism that animates United, and he has been my guide into the mysteries and happenstances of old age. I will miss him forever.” United faculty observed the loss as well. Dr. Demian Wheeler stated, “We have lost a true pillar of our seminary community.” Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman added, “His wit, good humor, and warmth will be missed. May his memory be eternal!” Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow said, Clyde “was a wonderful man. Curious, faithful, and incisive.…And, my oh my, did he love United.” Rev. Dr. Andrew Packman asserted, “What a loss and what a witness. I’m so grateful to have known Clyde and to have caught a whiff of his supreme commitment to theological education. May his memory be a blessing.” President Molly T. Marshall remembers Clyde, writing, “A consummate theologian, professor, and UCC ecclesiologist, Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel was a colossus in the story of United. Bridging disciplines, understanding the intersectionality of all learning, and encouraging younger colleagues, Clyde embodied the vision of the fledgling UCC seminary throughout his long service from its first decade until the present (1970–2025). His more recent tenure as a board member bore witness to the best of that vision while embracing the necessary changes in education delivery, curricular innovation, and faculty development. We give thanks for his long presence with us and his enduring imprint on United.” Remarking on his predecessor and colleague, Dean Kyle Roberts adds, “Dr. Clyde Steckel’s legacy and imprint upon the academic life and quality of United Seminary is profound and deep. As a faculty leader, a scholar of pastoral and practical theology and ecclesiology, a mentor to countless students, and the academic dean for a decade, Clyde helped shape United’s innovative, ecumenical, and integrative culture which continues to this day. For me personally, he offered invaluable wisdom and insight in generous conversations and through his faithful work on the Academic Committee of the Board. He will be missed, and his memory will be forever cherished.” As we observe the passing of this transformational and stalwart United faculty member at the age of 96, we honor the blessed memory of Clyde and give thanks for all of the ways he mentored, taught, and inspired students at United and steadfastly supported the seminary. United grieves with his family for the loss of this brilliant and humble man and is truly grateful for the legacy of Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel. The memorial service for Clyde took place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at First Congregational Church of Minnesota (500 8th Ave SE, Minneapolis). 

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