Tag: LGBTQ+

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Dr. Ginger Morgan Announced as New Associate Professor and Program Director for Interreligious Chaplaincy

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, April 16, 2026 — United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is thrilled to announce that Dr. Ginger Morgan will join its faculty as the new Associate Professor for Pastoral and Spiritual Care and Program Director for Interreligious Chaplaincy. Dr. Morgan will come to United from Madison, WI, where she is concluding her role at the Presbyterian Student Center Foundation as director of Candid and Community Initiatives. She is a highly qualified program director and chaplain with experience in healthcare, campus ministry, and higher education. With a PhD in Religion and Psychological Studies from Iliff School of Theology at the University of Denver, as well as a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Vanderbilt Divinity School, Dr. Morgan draws from her theological and multidisciplinary education in her work. Interreligious studies is one of United’s four pillars, and the Interreligious Chaplaincy (IRC) program—unique among peer institutions—constitutes the largest and fastest-growing of the seminary’s programs over the past five years. In alignment with United’s ethos, Dr. Morgan is a gifted scholar of religious pluralism, highly educated in progressive theological education, and foregrounds justice in chaplaincy and pastoral care. These values are evident in a chapter titled “Many Doors: Expanding Thresholds for Grace,” written by Dr. Morgan for the upcoming book Dispatches from Campus (Augsburg Fortress Press). Dr. Morgan’s career also reflects her personal experiences and identity. Writing to the search committee, she shared, “My formation includes reconciling my lesbian identity with my faith and living as a religious minority in India during high school, both of which shaped my intercultural perspective and vocational commitments.” She continued, “Throughout my career, I have sought to create inclusive spaces of belonging, whether supporting LGBTQIA+ students, young adults in recovery from addiction, or building programs attentive to justice and equity." Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, President, reflects, “United welcomes Dr. Ginger Morgan with confidence and great enthusiasm. Her varied leadership roles, especially in chaplaincy, equip her uniquely to lead our robust IRC program and to teach pastoral and spiritual care.” In his announcement to the student body, Dr. Kyle Roberts—Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs—noted that Dr. Morgan’s “career in chaplaincy spans hospital, hospice, and higher education contexts, and extensive program leadership experience.” He added, “I want to thank Dr. Demian Wheeler for leading this search process, especially during its formative stages during my sabbatical.” After participating in a months-long faculty search and on-site candidate lecture, being recommended by a unanimous faculty vote, and gaining approval from the Board of Trustees’ Academic Committee, Dr. Morgan will officially begin on July 1. Students, faculty, and staff are eager to welcome her to United for this exciting new chapter. For more information about United’s Interreligious Chaplaincy program, click here. About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • (651) 255-6138 Admissions and Enrollment admissions@unitedseminary.edu

Queer & Trans Theology Salon to Celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility

Together with United’s Social Transformation Program, the Leadership Center for Social Justice is delighted to invite you to a Queer and Trans Theology Salon on Wednesday, March 25, from 3:00–4:30 PM. Join us to celebrate Trans and Non-binary Joy ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31, 2026)! This event is free and open to all trans and queer academics, clergy, students, and community members. Come for enriching and joyful conversation, either in-person on United’s campus or via Zoom. We will provide snacks and sparkling beverages on campus.  Join us online at 3:00 PM on March 25 at this Zoom link. >   If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Grace Pennings Guenthner at hawkinson@unitedseminary.edu or Dr. Sabia-Tanis at jsabia-tanis@unitedseminary.edu. 

Queer and Trans Theology Salon

Join us onsite on Wednesday, October 29, for conversation, dialogue, and connection with others. Trans and queer academics, clergy, students, and community members are all welcome; no preparation is necessary, and this event is free. Light refreshments will be served. United’s Leadership Center for Social Justice and its Social Transformation Program sponsor these events. WHEN Wednesday, October 29 4:00 – 6:00 PM WHERE United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, the Common Area 767 Eustis St., Suite 140 Saint Paul, MN  55114 We look forward to seeing you there!

Justice and Joy: Empowering Religious Support for Trans Lives

In a time when trans lives are under direct attack, LGBTQ leaders are pushing back and inviting more allies to speak up about our religious identity. Join other people of faith at United—on May 30, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM—to learn how to lift your voice effectively in large and small ways that are authentic to your beliefs and tradition. We are delighted to share that we will be hearing from many important voices in this discussion, including Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg, Rabbi Heather Renetzky, Rev. T. Michael Rock, Rev. Nora Elliott (’17), Rev. Karen Hutt, Dallas Rising, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, Rep. Leigh Finke, Rev. Oby Ballinger, Justin Lewandowski, Seth Anderson-Matz (’24), Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow, Allison Connelly-Vetter, Chelsea Boyden (’25), and Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel (’13). We will remember what our traditions teach about affirming diverse genders. Then we will learn practical ways to take action at the legislature, in public forums, and with our faith communities. There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking and celebrating with others whose faith calls them to work for trans liberation. Here’s the schedule for the day: 9:00 AM Opening Ritual/Workshop 9:30 AM Welcome 9:40 AM Opening Address: Why We Are Here 10:20 AM Break 10:30 AM Faith-based Small Groups 11:30 AM Reconnect and Share 12:00 PM Lunch 1:00 PM   How-to Workshop Creating an Op-Ed/Communications Connecting with Elected Officials Organizing Your Family or Faith Community Creating a Trans-Inclusive Ministry Setting 1:45 PM How-to-Workshop 2:30–3:00 PM Closing and Next Steps   After the day’s activities, join us for Queer Prom. The fun happens at SpringHouse Ministry Center in Minneapolis starting at 7:00 PM. This event is sponsored by United’s Social Transformation program and Leadership Center for Social Justice, Prism Organizing Network, Creekside United Church of Christ, and the Center for Sustainable Social Justice at Lyndale UCC. To sign up for the Justice and Joy and/or the Queer Prom, please fill out the Google Form linked below. Access the Google Form >

“Radiance of the Body: Spirituality in the Art of Keith Haring” | Faculty Lecture with Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis

Artist Keith Haring used multiple symbols to convey spirituality in his art, most commonly a series of lines to depict radiance, which were applied to everything from the Christ child in his nativity to explicit images of sexuality. Angels appear darting about in all kinds of circumstances, as do crosses, priests, and other religious symbols. What does this broad application of holiness to a wide range of subjects tell us about Haring’s understanding of spirituality? Hosted in the art gallery of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, this talk by Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis will explore Haring’s religious background and his liberated and freeing view of sexuality and spirituality. We will look at examples in the current show, Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody at the Walker Art Center, as well as other examples of Haring's work. Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Social Transformation, Program Director for Social Transformation Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis is an associate professor of Christian ethics and social transformation supported by the McVay Endowment and the director of the Social Transformation program at United Theological Seminary. He earned his PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Interdisciplinary Studies in addition to a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. As a pastor, he served congregations in Boston, Honolulu, and San Francisco and was Director of Leadership Development for Metropolitan Community Churches; he is now with the United Church of Christ. In his prior work, he served as Managing Director at the Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS) and directed communications for the Hawai’i Equal Rights Marriage Project, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. He has taught at the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, Iliff School of Theology, and Pacific School of Religion. He lives in Minnesota with his husband, Henry, and their two dogs. Learn more >

Hydrate at Hennepin

Saturday afternoon, during the Twin Cities Pride Festival, we invite you to join us at Mission House (next door to Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church) for Hydrate at Hennepin. The address is 425 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403. Between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, United and Hennepin Ave. UMC staff will offer snacks and water—along with information about the two entities—in the air-conditioned comfort of Mission House. Don't miss this chance to sit and chat in peaceful surroundings!

United at Twin Cities Pride Festival

Join United at the 2024 Twin Cities Pride Festival on June 29 and 30. The event takes place at Loring Park in Minneapolis. United will have a booth (#198) at the festival and we would love to have students volunteer and invite friends to visit.  We need volunteers to represent United at the booth during one or more one-hour slots from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 29 and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 30. For the booth, we need two people for every slot. Visit our online sign-up and volunteer for times that work for you! View the Pride Festival map.

Flamy Grant in Concert

We are beyond excited to announce that United will host award-winning drag songwriter and singer, Flamy Grant, for a performance on April 10 at 7:00 PM.  Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant, describes herself as a “shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina.” Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, was nominated for best pop album at the San Diego Music Awards, reached the top spot on iTunes Christian Charts (a first for a drag performer), and was named as one of the Top Ten Queer Country Albums of 2023 by Rainbow Rodeo Magazine. “Good Day,” a single from the album, debuted at number 20 on the Billboard Christian digital sales chart.  Among other accomplishments, Flamy won the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition, was nominated for a 2023 QueerX award, and has been featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and People. Her music has more than 750,000 streams on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon music. Much of Flamy’s music focuses on the queer spiritual journey with stories of resilience and recovery from religious trauma in a world where LGBTQ+ people are too often ignored by, harmed in, or ejected from religious spaces. Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, associate professor of social transformation and leadership, shares, “Drag has a long and established history in the performing arts and as a form of personal expression. It is also a means of resistance against oppressive gender and sexual norms; after all, the first person to use the term ‘drag queen,' William Dorsey Swann, was also the first to organize and petition the US government for rights for sexual and gender minorities.” Learn more about Flamy via United student Amanda Schultz’s profile published by the LGBTQ Religious Archive Network. United students, faculty, and staff can attend this special event for no cost (or a donation). Non-United students pay just $5.00; guests who come with United faculty and staff, and other community members, can enjoy the show for $10.00. Space is limited! Students and alums who are not able to attend onsite have the option of joining via Zoom.  We encourage you to learn more and sign up via the form below.

Queer & Trans Theology Salon

Do you find queer and trans theology thrilling and engaging? We do, too! Join us on Wednesday, January 22, for conversation, dialogue, and connection with others. Trans and queer academics, clergy, students, and community members are all welcome; no preparation is necessary, and this event is free. Wine, cheese, and sparkling water will be served. United’s Leadership Center for Social Justice and its Social Transformation Program sponsor these events. WHEN Wednesday, January 22 3:30 – 5:30 PM WHERE United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, the Common Area 767 Eustis St., Suite 140 Saint Paul, MN  55114 Special Zoom link for this event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Queer & Trans Theology Salon

Do you find queer and trans theology thrilling and engaging? We do, too! Join us January 17 for conversation, dialogue, and connection with others. Trans and queer academics, clergy, students, and community members are all welcome; no preparation is necessary, and this event is free. Wine, cheese, and sparkling water will be served. These events are sponsored by the Leadership Center for Social Justice and the Social Transformation Program at United. WHEN Wednesday, January 17 3:30 – 5:30 PM WHERE United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, the Common Area 767 Eustis St., Suite 140 Saint Paul, MN  55114 We look forward to seeing you there!