Tag: On-Campus

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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

2026 Fall Convocation: The Installation of Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis into the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts

Each fall, the United community welcomes the beginning of a new academic year and, with it, celebrates new faculty and institutional milestones. This year, we will gather to formally celebrate the installation of Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis as the first-ever occupant of the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts. Before joining United’s faculty, Dr. Sabia-Tanis served as congregational minister, community organizer, advocate, and teacher. He is exceedingly well educated and experienced in his field, having received his PhD from Graduate Theological Union, his DMin from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and his MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. As a theologian and scholar, he has focused much of his work on the intersection of art and LGBTQ+ religious identity and published notable books and articles. Until his appointment to this chair, he served faithfully as the McVay Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Social Transformation as well as Program Director for Social Transformation. The Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts was established by generous gifts from friends, alums, and former United faculty members. The endowed chair’s namesake, Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates, is United’s celebrated President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion, Society, and the Arts. News of Dr. Sabia-Tanis’s appointment was announced this summer and widely celebrated by his colleagues as well as current and former students. This free event will take place on Thursday, September 24, at 12:15 PM CT. Happening onsite and online, Fall Convocation is always free and open to the public. Direct any questions to Jen Bingen Buck at jbuck@unitedseminary.edu or 651.255.6162. Please park on the south side of the CASE building (767 Eustis St., St. Paul, MN 55114). Need directions? Click here > Register Deadline: Please register by Tuesday, September 21, 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. >

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. >

Reception with “Re: assembled” Artist Dale Dobias (’89)

Join fellow United community members and Dale Dobias ('89), an alum and the creator of the brilliant "Re: assembled — An Offering" exhibit on display on United's campus, for a reception on Friday, February 13, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM CT. We will enjoy the art and share light refreshments.

Art Exhibit — “Re: assembled — An Offering”

United is thrilled to be hosting an exhibit by Dale Dobias (’89), an alum and former staff member, titled "Re: assembled — An Offering." The exhibit, available for viewing in the center of United's campus, will be available from January 12 through February 27, 2026. On Friday, February 13, a reception was held with Dale on campus. 

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!

2025 Fall Convocation

United's 2025 Fall Convocation will include a formal celebration of United’s newly established Wilson Yates Chair of Theology and the Arts. Our speaker will be the chair’s namesake, Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates (President Emeritus & Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion, Society, and the Arts, 1967–2005). Wilson has made significant and lasting contributions to the life of United as well as the field of theology and the arts. He has expanded and deepened the connection between imagination, creativity, and theology as expressed through the arts, all of which have been at the core of United’s academic ethos for decades. The establishment of the Wilson Yates Chair of Theology and the Arts was made possible by a group of generous donors, including alums, current and former faculty, staff, and trustees, as well as those whose lives and vocations Wilson has impacted. Their gifts support, in perpetuity, the centrality of the arts at United as a core pillar of the seminary’s educational experience. This free event will take place on Thursday, September 25, at 12:15 PM CT. Happening onsite and online, Fall Convocation is always free and open to the public. Please park on the south side of the CASE building (767 Eustis St., St. Paul, MN 55114). Need directions? Click here > Direct any questions to Jen Bingen Buck at jbuck@unitedseminary.edu or 651-255-6162. Deadline: Please register by Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Note: We are aware of and working quickly to resolve an intermittent issue with our form vendor. If you experience any difficulties registering, please wait a couple of minutes and refresh the page. If you still encounter a problem, contact Andrew Fox at afox@unitedseminary.edu, and he will ensure you are registered. We regret any inconvenience. Photo by James Butler. Used with permission from Hennepin Avenue UMC.

2025 Cohort Graduation and Showcase | Leadership Center for Social Justice

The Leadership Center for Social Justice at United invites you to join us onsite or online from 6:00 to 8:00 PM CT on Thursday, May 22, to celebrate the graduation of the Center’s 2024–2025 Cohort and experience a showcase of members’ transformational projects. Throughout this nine-month program, each student has committed time to sensing and discerning what is happening in their community and congregation. From that perspective, they worked to build a social justice ministry project that is concrete and contextual to their community and its needs. This graduation and showcase is an opportunity to learn more about projects the students have worked on and to celebrate them for their intentional and important work. Registration is free! Direct any questions to Stella Pearce: spearce@unitedseminary.edu Register

“Mementos of Failure” Exhibition: Learning from Our Failures

As part of our exhibition Mementos of Failure, we welcome Tyrone Fowlkes, curator and current DMin student in Theology and the Arts, who will reflect on the concept behind the exhibition, as well as the place and meanings of failure in our lives. After a brief presentation, he will be joined by a few panelists to extend the conversation, which will be followed by Q&A and further reflection with the audience. This will be taking place onsite in the United Chapel or online via Zoom. Light refreshments will be served. Join Via Zoom >