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July 16, 2026
Religion and Theology Theology VOICES

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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March 21, 2024
Religion and Theology Theology VOICES

Keith and Mary Farrell Bednarowski Establish the Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies

In February 2024, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities was thrilled to announce the establishment of the Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies. Realized through a generous donation by Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004), and her husband, Keith Bednarowski (pictured at right), the Sophia Chair makes possible a tenure-track, endowed faculty position. An endowed chair is often named by the donor(s) whose gift establishes it. When considering this responsibility, Mary believed it “appropriate and appealing to name the chair after an ‘idea’ with sufficient depth of meaning, complexity, and connection to United. The name needed to inspire creative and dynamic explorations of religion, theology, and culture, an emphasis deeply embedded in all versions of the curriculum since United opened in 1962.” For Mary, the concept of “Wisdom” came to her immediately. “Within seconds of thinking ‘Wisdom!,’ there was ‘Sophia’ with its call to the feminine spirit of the Divine, and its connections to the Re-Imagining Community celebrating women’s theological creativity, which has been so much a part of United’s history.” “It suggests,” Mary asserts, “not only ‘knowledge,’ but the desire and capacity to put that knowledge to good use, to discern how to proceed based on what we have learned, to explore what to do with the knowledge we have acquired.”  Sophia raises questions that, for Mary, evoke “the more.” “I like to think of Sophia as the patron spirit of asking both new and old, profound, life-giving questions.” She continues, “I like to think of her as the inspiring spirit of the theological and religious imagination.” As a member of the United community for nearly 50 years, Mary observes that United has had distinct impacts on theological and religious education, both in the Twin Cities and beyond. She affirms that United has fostered an educational environment where “theological studies and religious studies dance happily together.” The religious studies aspect of the chair reinforces United’s long time insistence on the dynamic and creative relationship between theology and culture. For President Molly T. Marshall, this is an auspicious occasion in the life of United. “We revel in charting new pathways of wisdom even as we explore the faith traditions we have inherited. We anticipate that this faculty chair will extend the legacy of Mary’s scholarship and honor her capacity to encourage students to find critical distance from their traditions for the sake of clarification and commitment. Her search for wisdom will continue at United.” Mary insists that United must impact the social landscape as much as we possibly can for the sake of the common good. She continues, “I deeply believe we have to bring as much depth of response as possible to the profoundly evocative and complicated question, ‘What is going on here?’ Then comes the next question, ‘What are the most just and loving ways to respond?’” There is no doubt in Mary’s mind that United will continue to have a part in this essential work. Looking ahead, she says, “I have a very deep faith that this full-of-life seminary will persist and flourish for many, many years. Keith and I want to be part of that flourishing.” United excitedly anticipates the installation of Dr. Demian Wheeler, associate professor of philosophical theology and religious studies, into the newly established Sophia Chair during Fall Convocation on September 26, 2024.

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March 20, 2024
Alums VOICES

Bishop Lorna Halaas (’08) Imagines the Future of Seminary and the Church

Born on the prairie of western North Dakota, Bishop Lorna Halaas (’08) grew up in a family of storytellers. She was raised in Lutheran churches and recounts that her faith community was central to her life. One special lay leader—Mrs. Kurth—inspired her to consider ministry as a possibility, even before women could be ordained in her denomination. She recalls, “We had women who served on church staff who did faith formation, who did youth ministry, but I particularly remember a woman who served almost as a pastor. She taught Sunday school, confirmation, and oversaw the Christmas program.” As a young woman, Lorna said to herself, “I want to be Mrs. Kurth when I grow up." Like many women called to ministry, Lorna’s vocational path was not without obstacles. “When I was a kid,” she shares, “women in the Lutheran tradition were not ordained and could not serve as pastors. That was a little over 50 years ago.” Lorna graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, in 1979, just nine years after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) began ordaining women. For many years, she served as a director of Christian education in large congregations in Minot, North Dakota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and also for the ELCA’s publishing ministry, Augsburg Fortress. So how did a Lutheran end up at United? She surprised herself: “I didn’t know much about United—I knew they had a good Women’s Studies program, and I knew they were very ecumenical and diverse.” While still considering her options, Lorna attended an event at United. The experience was transformative. “I felt like a kid,” proclaiming, “I have found my spot!” Lorna benefited tremendously from the instruction she received from United’s faculty, particularly Professor Emeritus Dr. Eleazar Fernandez and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates. She also prized the diversity of students. Citing interreligious and ecumenical partnerships she found at United, Lorna valued the ability to relate across differences through the power of stories. “I was the Lutheran; other students were Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Muslim, Jewish, along with those from other Christian denominations. We had the most wonderful conversations.” For her, United’s interreligious and ecumenical learning environment felt right. “This is what the world was like... ‘This is my story, now tell me your story, and we will find common ground here in one another’s story.’” Lorna graduated from United in 2008 with an MDiv. In the years following graduation, Lorna served as a pastor in congregations in North Dakota and Iowa. In 2019, she was elected to serve a six-year term as Bishop of the Western Iowa Synod ELCA, overseeing 116 congregations. In keeping with her imaginative family—and, no doubt, the creativity intrinsic to United’s ethos—Lorna centers divine imagination in her view of the world. “If you ask the synod staff who work with me, they will say, ‘She is always asking us about our passion, what we’re curious about, and what might God be imagining for the church today.’” In 2025, Lorna will be up for reelection as Bishop. She believes, however, “it’s time for younger leaders... There are new voices, new ideas.” While many may view the future of congregational ministry warily, Lorna is looking with courage to what lies ahead. Present-day seminarians are preparing to serve a world with unique challenges not often faced by the generations of ministers who came before them. “I see pastors being equipped differently; I see people going to seminary not to do it all, but to preach, teach, and to equip lay people to go beyond the doors of the church and to be the church on the streets, in the shelters; wherever they may go, there God is.” We give thanks for Lorna’s humble, imaginative witness as a friend and alum of United.

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March 19, 2024
Public Theology students VOICES

Rev. Shannon Dycus Illuminates the Sacred in Education and Ministry

For DMin student Rev. Shannon Dycus, faith and education have been foundational influences and pursuits. “My story,” Shannon shares, “includes the nurture of wonderful Black women in my life and lineage. My grandmothers and mother modeled faithful and bold ways of living out their calls with ministries that were not allowed to flourish in their contexts.” In high school, a counselor saw her creative and leadership potential for guiding others. At Butler University, she earned a degree in secondary education. While she enjoyed working with young people in the classroom and after-school programs, Shannon felt something was missing. “I felt the gap,” she recalls, “of how to care for their spirits and lead holistically.” When she started at Christian Theological Seminary, Shannon intended to train as a therapist, but, as she recounts, “loving a congregation drew me in the path of an MDiv.” In 2019, she assumed the role of dean of students at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), a private university in Harrisburg, Virginia, that “integrates Christian faith, academic rigor, artistic creation, and reflective practice.” “It all lives in my heart and body as ministry and education,” Shannon explains. “Since graduating from college, I have alternated between leading in ministry settings and learning communities, holding these two parts of myself as overlapping but not fully embraced in any specific space.” Pursuing a Doctoral Degree In early 2023, EMU promoted Shannon to vice president of student affairs and dean of students. Her priorities in this role involve strategically visioning co-curricular learning communities that promote social responsibility, holistic well-being, and academic success for EMU students. She also teaches several undergraduate courses, including a spiritual formation course. She earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction and Formation from San Francisco Theological Seminary. In her current role, Shannon asserts that she is responsible for “nurturing both spiritual and educational formation.” She felt compelled to enter a doctoral program to “do more development to integrate the two as grounding and strength.” While a PhD or EdD would have made sense in her academic context, she needed ample space for ministry too. “I believe the practices of education and ministry are sacred,” Shannon posits, “serving people and communities as they intersect with the hope of God around us. Seeking this degree is rooted in my hope to ground the rest of my career in practical perspectives that allow this belief to flourish.” Choosing United Shannon has been long drawn to those who “do their faith.” These public theologians operate with an awareness of their social context and with a determination to serve and support the common good. “In my search for public theology programs,“ Shannon observes, “United emerged quickly. Mason [Mennenga (’22), Admissions Counselor] was a prophetic voice in my discerning, and Dr. [Demian] Wheeler was the kind of thinker and leader I wanted to learn from.” For her dissertation, Shannon is researching and developing a tool to help faith-based higher education systemically engage practices of liberation. “That,” she explains, “is helping me advance the question of how structures teach power.” She continues: “My doctoral work and my vocation are in rich conversation with each other, like they are sitting on a warm porch drinking sweet tea while listening to each other and the wind hitting the trees. Not only has my role given me the chance to integrate my gifts, this program and my work at United is helping me give voice to the integration growing within me.”

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February 22, 2024
Announcements Religion and Theology

Donors Make Possible United’s New Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, February 22, 2024. Funded by a generous donation from Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004), and her husband, Keith Bednarowski, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is thrilled to announce the creation of a new tenure-track, endowed faculty position. The position will be known as the Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies. Dr. Bednarowski chose the name Sophia for its obvious tie to wisdom as well as “its call to the feminine spirit of the divine; its connections to the Re-Imagining Community celebrating women’s theological creativity which has been so much a part of the history of United; its re-emergence in theological and biblical studies to animate creation spiritualities.” Asked what inspired their gift, Dr. Bednarowski reflected on nearly 50 years of connection with United—as a faculty member, board member, and now “a devoted and intensely interested onlooker who recognizes the wonderfully distinctive contributions United makes to theological education, to religious communities, to academia, and to our society.” In addition, she shares, “I have a very deep faith that this full-of-life seminary will persist and flourish for many, many years. Keith and I want to be a part of that flourishing.” The focus on Religious and Theological Studies is also linked to Dr. Bednarowski’s connection with United. She asserts that religious and theological studies “enliven, interrogate, and deepen each other,” and United has always managed to “sustain both the integration and the distinctiveness of different emphases and perspectives…exceptionally well.” For President Molly T. Marshall, the Sophia Chair marks an auspicious occasion in the life of United. “We revel in charting new pathways of wisdom even as we explore the faith traditions we have inherited. We anticipate that this faculty chair will extend the legacy of Dr. Bednarowski’s scholarship and honor her capacity to encourage students to find critical distance from their traditions for the sake of clarification and commitment. Her search for wisdom will continue at United.” Dr. Bednarowski’s hope for United is that the seminary continues to work “for the sake of the common good.” She adds, “Wherever we find ourselves, I deeply believe we have to bring as much depth of response as possible to the profoundly evocative and complicated question: ‘What is going on here?’ And then comes the next question: ‘What are the most just and loving ways to respond?’” During Fall Convocation on September 26, 2024, United will formally install Dr. Demian Wheeler, associate professor of philosophical theology and religious studies, into the newly created Sophia Chair. For his part, Dr. Wheeler shares, “I am profoundly honored to be the first occupant of the new Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies. It is very uncommon for theological seminaries to include courses and positions in religious studies. However, at United, we believe that religious studies is an essential part of theological education, enabling us to study religion and theology as aspects of human culture, to view religious traditions from a critical distance and through a multidisciplinary lens, and to uncover the theological meanings and assumptions of every cultural production, from economic policies to works of art, from political movements to scientific discoveries.” Details for that celebration will be made available in the coming months. 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 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

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February 15, 2024

United Launches Scholarship Initiative for Local Theology Students

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, February 15, 2024. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is deeply grateful to be able to launch a new initiative designed to help address racial disparities in higher education. The initiative makes possible a tuition-free seminary education for up to eight students based in the Twin Cities. It also aims to create an intentional cohort of students for mutual support, special studies, and mentorship. Theological education, as it has been practiced for hundreds of years, has had a bias toward white supremacy. In the words of scholar Willie James Jennings, its desired outcome has been to form “the self-sufficient white man.” Consequently, Black people have not been accorded the same opportunities for theological education as their white counterparts.  Through the new initiative, United aims to provide leadership development for students who are interested in nonprofit leadership, congregational ministry, public service, education, and related pursuits. Cohort members can already be practicing in such a profession, so long as they desire theological training to learn more about the richness of Black spirituality as realized in contemporary forms, with attention to womanist scholarship, constructive theology, biblical hermeneutics, and church history. Beyond the core curriculum, there will also be special learning opportunities that speak to Black experiences in church and society. United is committed to systemic anti-racist work. The piloting of this program falls under that larger initiative. Transforming culture to become a racially just learning space will be enhanced by launching this selective program. President Molly T. Marshall regards this initiative as an expression of United's emphasis on justice. “Erasing educational disparities through this program begins to redress the lack of supportive space [for the study of Black spirituality and womanist theology] in historically white institutions.” Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green II, assistant professor of pastoral theology and social transformation and director of anti-racist initiatives, shares, “Providing more equitable access to the richness of Black spirituality not only places society in more diverse hands but will also transform classroom dynamics in service to building racial intelligence among the student body and community here at United.” This initiative is made possible largely through a generous donation from Frank and Robyn Sims. Those admitted to the 48-credit program will be known, therefore, as “Sims Scholars.” Criteria for Selection Individuals who are interested in this new opportunity must meet United’s standard admissions requirements. They must also: be exceptional in aptitude, vocational promise, and commitment to the mission of theological education; hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution; have earned an undergraduate grade point average of B or better; reside in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, or close enough to commute for onsite mentoring and special events;  commit to being an active participant in the cohort; and be available for a personal interview. Because of the cohort’s selectivity, applicants must make time for a personal interview. The program is seeking applicants with strong leadership promise, so they must also submit an artifact that provides evidence of their vocational pursuit of prior leadership experience.  The Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) can be an entry degree for those who ultimately desire the Master of Divinity (MDiv). While not a dual-degree program, the curriculum of the MAL is foundational and transferrable to the MDiv. To get started, visit our Sims Scholars web page. ______________ About United Founded 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. Media Contact: Nathanial Green Director of Marketing & Communications ngreen@unitedseminary.edu

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February 7, 2024

United Creates Two New Theological Certificate Programs

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, February 8, 2024. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is pleased to announce the creation of two new theological certificate programs. The Certificate in Theological Studies and the Certificate in Applied Ethics and Justice will be available this fall. These 15-credit, five-course certificates offer yet another option for students who wish to gain graduate-level expertise without committing to a multi-year degree program. Ideal for individuals who do not want or need a degree, but would like advanced training in theological studies or social change agency, leadership, and social justice organizing, potential candidates include church-based lay leaders, bi-vocational pastors, and leaders within nonprofits with religious or spiritual concerns. Others may do so for personal or professional enrichment. Those who earn certificates can also decide to apply them to a future degree. Credits from both programs can be transferred into United’s MA, MDiv, or MAL degree programs. "The two new certificates arose,“ Dean Kyle Roberts observes, “from the recognition that a number of people are interested in taking seminary courses to enhance their careers or to explore their faith and spirituality, but a full degree may not be possible or necessary at this stage in their lives." He adds, "These certificates provide building blocks for connecting theology, ethics, and life, with the option to continue with a degree when they finish." Click here to learn more about our Certificate in Applied Ethics and Justice. Click here to learn more about our Certificate in Theological Studies. About United Founded 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 About United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities Founded 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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January 25, 2024
Academics Announcements

United is One of Only 18 ATS-Accredited Seminaries with Five Consecutive Years of Growth

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, January 25, 2024. In its 2023 Holiday Colloquy Online issue, ATS (The Association of Theological Schools) noted that just 18, or 6.5 percent, of 279 ATS-accredited seminaries demonstrated steady year-over-year growth during the past five years. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities—one of those 18—realized an 82 percent five-year growth rate, and is one of the only theologically progressive seminaries on the list. United’s growth is a remarkable achievement, especially in a timeframe when more than half of seminaries have been seeing stable or declining enrollment. As Chris Meinzer, senior director and COO at ATS, wrote, “In 2007, a shift occurred and fewer than 50 percent of ATS schools grew year-over-year;… this trend has essentially continued through fall 2023, when it is projected that 45 percent of ATS schools will have grown and 55 percent will have declined.” Reflecting on United’s appearance on the shortlist of growing seminaries, President Molly T. Marshall shares:  “When looking at the ‘ecclesial family’ of schools, it is interesting to note that only Roman Catholic and Orthodox schools are showing a slight increase. Evangelical schools are down by .9 percent, and mainline schools are down by 3.6 percent. This makes United’s growth all the more significant as the trend for mainline schools is negative.” Why is United growing? President Marshall reflects: United has a desirable curriculum that emphasizes social transformation, theology and the arts, interreligious engagement, and public theology. United has gifted, student-focused faculty members who excel in their disciplines as well as their teaching.  United welcomes students with myriad religious, spiritual, and theological leanings. This is reflected in the unique interreligious nature of the chaplaincy program. United has expanded online offerings to include Flex courses in both the DMin and master’s degrees to meet students’ need for scheduling flexibility. United is as interested in the questions as the answers. United envisions a future filled with hope, creativity, and sustainability. The seminary looks ahead with eager anticipation to continue realizing its mission: preparing innovative and compassionate leaders for the equipping of churches, other faith communities, and society toward justice and peace. Media Contact Nathanial Green, Director of Marketing & Communications ngreen@unitedseminary.edu About United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities Founded 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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January 23, 2024
Leadership Center for Social Justice

The Leadership Center for Social Justice Presents “Acting Together: A Series on Accompaniment”

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES, January 17, 2024. Now in its second year of operation, the Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has launched a new event series. “Acting Together: A Series on Accompaniment” was unveiled last October and three justice-centered events are scheduled this year. As Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow, director of the Leadership Center for Social Justice explains, “Quaker activists Staughton and Alice Lynd have long been reflecting on the practice of accompaniment in social movements and in their own lives. In memory of Staughton (1929–2022) and in collaboration with Alice, his lifelong companion and co-conspirator, the Leadership Center for Social Justice is excited to feature a series of conversations exploring the various dimensions of accompaniment and the possibilities it holds today for the work of social justice.” On January 31, at 6:30 PM, an expert panel of practitioners and scholars working at the intersections of pastoral and health care, disability, justice, and social medicine will delve into social justice issues related to providing and accessing care. This free hybrid event, titled “Caregivers in a Care-less Society: A Panel on Care Work and Social Justice,” will feature: Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape, United’s assistant professor of interreligious chaplaincy and program director for interreligious chaplaincy Dr. Michael Westerhaus, faculty, University of Minnesota’s Medical School’s Department of Medicine and Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility, primary care clinician at the Center for International Health, and program director of the Bridge to Residency for Immigrant International Doctor Graduates through Clinical Experience (BRIIDGE) Program.  Dr. Aarti Bhatt, assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, associate program director for the Med-Peds residency program, and primary care physician at the Community University Health Care Center Rev. Laura Cannata (’13), a disability justice minister at Robbinsdale Parkway UCC and a member of the Disability Ministries’ Board of Directors for the National UCC. Coming up Wednesday, March 6, at 7:00 PM, we will host “The Right to Breathe: An Evening with the Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry,” an Accompaniment event framed around New Hampshire UCC’s Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry. Rev. Mark Koyama and Kathy Barrett Blair, two of the three allies behind the Quilt Ministry will be joining us in person. Then, on April 10, at 6:00 PM, we will celebrate the seminal work of social justice activists Alice and Staughton Lynd. Presented at the University of St. Thomas, and in partnership with the University’s Justice and Peace Studies Program, “We Make The Road By Walking: A Documentary Viewing & Panel Discussion on Accompaniment” will showcase a new documentary about the Lynds and include an appearance by Alice Lynd and the documentarian. We invite you to participate in one or all of these free social justice events. To learn more, please contact Stella Pearce (spearce@unitedseminary.edu). 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 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

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