Tag: liberation struggles

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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. 

“Art and Organizing: La Lucha Sigue” with Ricardo Pérez Gonzalez

Artist and activist Ricardo Pérez Gonzalez is United’s inaugural artist-organizer-in-residence, and has served both our Leadership Center for Social Justice and the Theology and Arts program since last fall. He has also been facilitating our monthly arts and social transformation lunches. Now we want to celebrate Ricardo with an exhibit of and talk about his work.  Born and raised in Mexico, Ricardo is a self-taught mixed media artist with more than 15 year of creative experience. Now a Twin Cities resident, Ricardo recently created murals to reflect a spirit of collaboration with marginalized communities and lift up those whose voices need to be heard. He is partial to watercolor and ink media. La lucha sigue means “The struggle continues.” Join us on Friday, May 31 at 7:00 PM to celebrate Ricardo’s art and activitism. Enjoy light refreshments before the event. Come to the chapel for an artist talk, and stay for questions and answers afterward. Hope to see you there!

Accompanying: The Journey of Staughton and Alice Lynd—A Documentary Viewing & Panel Conversation

Join the Leadership Center for Social Justice and the Justice and Peace Studies program at the University of St. Thomas as we view a documentary about the life of Quaker activists Staughton and Alice Lynd. Accompanying: The Journey of Staughton and Alice Lynd is a documentary by Catherine Murphy that covers the Lynds’ remarkable partnership in social justice struggles over seven decades, including Staughton’s time as director of the SNCC Freedom Schools and their opposition to the Vietnam War. After watching clips from the film, enjoy a panel discussion about the Lynds. The Panelists We are delighted to announced that Alice Lynd will be joining us through Zoom as will our three expert panelists: Marcus Rediker—Marcus Rediker is the Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History at the University of Pittsburgh. His “histories from below,” including The Slave Ship: A Human History, have won numerous awards, including the George Washington Book Prize, and have been translated into 17 languages worldwide. He produced a film, Ghosts of Amistad, with director Tony Buba, and wrote a play, “The Return of Benjamin Lay,” with playwright Naomi Wallace.  Zoharah Simmons—Dr. Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons is a human rights activist, a scholar of women in Islam, and faculty member in the Department of Religion at the University of Florida, Gainesville. A former leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Laurel, Mississippi and Atlanta, Georgia, Simmons helped found independent Black political organizations in the 1970s. She is also a Sufi Muslim who draws on the compassion and inclusiveness of her faith in her work. In 2016, at the invitation of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, she lectured in four European countries about the history and meaning of the African American freedom movement. Catherine Murphy—An independent producer, Catherine Murphy focuses primarily on social documentaries. She has field-produced films like Saul Landau’s, Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up? and Eugene Corr’s From Ghost Town to Havana. Catherine also served on Gay Cuba’s production crew and subtitled Stealing America by Dorothy Fadiman, Jaime Kibben’s The Greening of Cuba, and Out and Refusenicks by Sonja de Vries. While in Caracas in 2009, Catherine founded Tres Musas Producciones, a collaborative production house of independent women producers working in film, music, and literature. Eduardo Galeano published four short stories based on her interviews in his most penultimate book, Espejos. Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow, director of the Leadership Center for Social Justice, is moderating the event. East Side Freedom Library, Maestra Productions, and the Justice and Peace Studies Program at the University of St. Thomas are co-sponsors.  Timing/Location for the Event The evening will begin at 6:00 PM CT on Wednesday, April 10 and will take place in person inside the O'Shaughnessy Education Center (OEC) Auditorium at the University of St. Thomas (off Cleveland Avenue). Enjoy snacks and refreshments before the event. Register Below