Tag: connections

Featured Post

September 18, 2026

United Launches National Search for Its Next President

The Position Profile and Application Are Now Available Today, the Presidential Search Committee, on behalf of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, is opening the national search for the seminary’s next leader. This comes after the July announcement of Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall’s 2027 retirement following six transformative years of institutional growth and expansion. United’s next president will helm a dynamic school with a student body that has more than doubled in size in just ten years; a world-class faculty of artists, scholars, and theologians; and a diverse and interreligious student body preaching in pulpits, ministering in ICUs, leading nonprofits, and organizing for the common good. In a message shared with the United community, trustee and committee chair Rev. Dr. Kenneth V. Daniel (’81) describes the committee’s work in concert with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller (IM) to help “the seminary step into the next chapter of United’s mission and ministry.” Describing the ideal candidate, Dr. Daniel writes, “We are seeking an engaged leader who will join our mission to inspire creative scholarship, advance innovative pedagogy, develop leaders of distinction, and move the school forward to increased sustainability and global impact.” As of today, the public profile of the President’s role, as well as the application, is available to prospective applicants. Additionally, the public is invited to nominate individuals for consideration by the Committee. The application is linked on an official landing page that features Dr. Daniel’s note and a list of the committee members and their affiliations. The committee includes trustees as well as current and former faculty, student, staff, and alum representatives. Each faithfully brings their experiences to bear on their assignment. Dr. Daniel urges qualified leaders from myriad backgrounds to consider applying, writing, “Leaders from interfaith and ecumenical traditions, academic disciplines, relevant professional and denominational roles, and innovators in educational practices are invited to consider this unique opportunity.” Visit the link below to learn more, nominate a candidate, or submit your application. Apply or Nominate a Candidate 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. Search Committee Contact Grace Pennings Guenthner (’26) Administrative Assistant, Presidential Search Committee pssearch@unitedseminary.edu

Read More >

July 22, 2026

Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and the MN Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) are delighted to offer a one-day workshop on congregational fundraising, a partnership made possible by a denominational grant. On Saturday, November 7, registration starts at 8:30 AM, and the seminar begins at 9:00 AM. Cultivating Generous Congregations maps the new landscape of religious giving and stewardship and provides tools to build a culture of generosity unique to each congregation’s needs and challenges. As the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving says about the training: “We invite you and your ministry team to participate in a seminar experience that could change the way you and your congregation approach giving and generosity. Cultivating Generous Congregations (CGC) is an interactive seminar offered… in partnership with denominational or network organizations, demonstrating how pastors and ministry leaders can unearth and energize congregational generosity by exploring the significant and necessary steps to creating lasting cultural change within a congregation. Interactive segments of CGC explore theology, the role of adaptive leadership, fiscal transparency, and the importance of donor care, with action steps to impact the exploration and experience of generosity for both laity and clergy. This course can be tailored for many faith traditions or demographics.” According to The Lake Institute, this seminar will help participants: rethink their role in church/meeting finances; become better stewards of their donors’ gifts; and awaken an ongoing spirit of generosity within their communities. Registration To learn more or ask questions, contact Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, Generosity Officer, via email or by phone at 612.465.7181. For questions related to United, contact Ryan Currens, United’s Institutional Major Gifts Officer. You can learn more about the course and the Lake Institute here. > Access the Institute’s Cultivating Generous Congregations Flyer here. > Who Should Attend? This event is designed for pastors and church leadership. Whether you are an ordained minister, deacon, elder, or lay leader, we welcome all members of a congregation’s pastoral staff and leadership team. Cost Registration is $200 per UCC team of 3–6 people, including the pastor. The reduced course fee is made possible by grant funding. Registration costs $245 per non-UCC congregational team of 3–6. Teams should include at least one pastor and at least two church members. For any team that has more than six members, each additional member will be charged $50. Venue This event is being hosted at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Click here for directions and parking instructions. >

Read More >

February 25, 2026

Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and the MN Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) are offering a one-day workshop on congregational fundraising, a partnership made possible by a denomination grant. Cultivating Generous Congregations maps the new landscape of religious giving and stewardship and provides you and your team with tools for building a culture of generosity unique to the congregation’s needs and challenges. As the Lake Institute says about the training: “We invite you and your ministry team to participate in a seminar experience that could change the way you and your congregation approach giving and generosity. Cultivating Generous Congregations (CGC) is an interactive seminar offered… in partnership with denominational or network organizations, demonstrating how pastors and ministry leaders can unearth and energize congregational generosity by exploring the significant and necessary steps to creating lasting cultural change within a congregation. Interactive segments of CGC explore theology, the role of adaptive leadership, fiscal transparency, and the importance of donor care, with action steps to impact the exploration and experience of generosity for both laity and clergy. This course can be tailored for many faith traditions or demographics.” According to The Lake Institute, this seminar will help participants: rethink their role in church/meeting finances; become better stewards of their donors’ gifts; and awaken an ongoing spirit of generosity within their communities. Registration Register at this link. To learn more or ask questions, please contact Rev. WendyVanderHart, Generosity Officer, via email or by phone at 612.465.7181. For questions related to United, please contact Ryan Currens, United’s Institutional Major Gifts Officer. You can learn more about the course and the Lake Institute here. > Access the Institute’s Cultivating Generous Congregations Flyer here. > Who Should Attend? This event is designed for pastors and church leadership. Whether you are an ordained minister, deacon, elder, or lay leader, we welcome all members of a congregation’s pastoral staff and leadership team. Cost Registration is $150 per team of 3–8 people, including the pastor. The reduced course fee is made possible by grant funding. Venue This event is being hosted by United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Click here for directions and parking instructions. >

Read More >

October 22, 2024

Social Transformation Lunch: Post-Election Conversation

Now that we are a week past the 2024 election, what lessons have we learned? Where do we go from here? How do we reconcile with our neighbors after all the chaos and intensity of the last few months? How do we move forward with peace, grace, and renewed purpose? Join Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow, director of the Leadership Center for Social Justice, and Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, associate professor of Christian ethics and social transformation supported by the McVay Endowment and the director of the United’s Social Transformation program for this interactive conversation. Join us in person at the Intersection or online through Zoom.

Read More >

September 5, 2024

Connection, Care, and Conscience: Voting Our Values

As an American people, we are facing an important decision in November when we vote to elect the next President of the United States. We are living in a political moment that has produced fear and anxiety for many. With the election looming in the midst of political polarization, it can be tempting to simply pick a side (red or blue) because we feel like we are supposed to, or worse, withdraw from participating in the political process altogether. And yet, as people of faith and values, we remain responsible for embodying ethical leadership as we engage diverse communities and the wider public. Join us for a non-partisan conversation as we explore the values and commitments we bring to voting and our community work. The event includes a workbook that you can use to examine your own beliefs and decisions.  We hope you can join us in person or online through the link below.

Read More >

©Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved