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

Fall 2024 Convocation

Fall Convocation is an annual event that kick-offs to the new academic year and enables us to celebrate a new faculty member or initiative. This year, we are thrilled to be celebrating the installation of Dr. Demian Wheeler into the Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies. The newly endowed Sophia Chair was made possible through a generous donation from Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004), and her husband, Keith Bednarowski. Dr. Wheeler's installation address is titled “Religious Studies and the Opening of the Theological Imagination: Honoring and Extending the Legacy of Mary Farrell Bednarowski.” 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 Stella Pearce at spearce@unitedseminary.edu or 651-255-6162. Deadline: Please register by Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

An Artist, an Activist, and a Healer: A United Open House

What happens when an artist, a healer, and an activist walk into a seminary?     What happens when they collaborate?     What might they accomplish together?     What futures might they create? We invite you to find out by attending an open house at a seminary committed to educating leaders for justice and peace. We will gather on United’s campus (767 Eustis St., Suite 14, St. Paul) from 4:30 to 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 12, with a short program at 5:30 PM, hosted by Andrew Packman, featuring Darrell Gillespie (’23), Craig Lemming (’17), and Meg Mercury (’23) as speakers. Refreshments will be provided by a local vendor along with a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. This is an event for the whole family, so bring your kids! There will be a place for them to do arts and crafts. Interested in making our world better? Hoping to network with other like-minded individuals building a more just society? Join us! Please RSVP using the form below. Host Committee Jeanne Cotter Courtney A. DaCosta* Tane Danger Catherine Duncan (’10)* Seth “Ent” Fine (’24) Sara Wilhelm Garbers David Graham Marjorie Grievous (’18)* Allison Johnson Heist (’20)* Andrea Johnson (’17, ’23) Molly Larsen (’17) Mason Mennenga (’22)* Meg Mercury (’23)* Therese Pautz* Sara Pohlad Allison Rykken Daniel Sellers* Roderic Southall*

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 each quarter at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities for conversation, dialogue, and connection with others. Trans and queer academics, clergy, students, and community members are all welcome; no preparation is necessary, and our first event—happening at 3:30 PM on National Coming Out Day, October 11—is free. Wine, cheese, and sparkling water will be served. This event is sponsored by the Leadership Center for Social Justice and the Social Transformation Program at United.