Tag: social justice

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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

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December 10, 2024

Susan Draper White Lecture: “Battle for the Minds, Revisited” with Rev. Molly T. Marshall, PhD

United is very pleased to announce that our 34th annual Susan Draper White Lecture will take place on February 24, 2025, and feature Rev. Molly T. Marshall, PhD, United’s esteemed and beloved president. President Marshall’s lecture is titled “Battle for the Minds, Revisited.” Thirty years ago, writer and producer Steve Lipscomb created his first documentary, Battle for the Minds, about the Southern Baptist Convention’s conservative shift and how that was affecting women pastors. Prominently featured in the film was a progressive, feminist professor of Christian theology, and experienced pastor, at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky: Dr. Molly T. Marshall.  This year's lecture will feature Rev. Dr. Marshall's reflections on that pivotal episode in her professional and theological life and how the experience shaped the theologian and leader she has become, as United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities’ president. The evening will include a screening of the documentary along with Rev. Dr. Marshall’s remarks and reflections. Dr. Marshall writes: If you attend the Susan Draper White Lecture, you will witness a story of resilience. The documentary chronicles what happens to a woman who challenges the power structures that deem women unfit to exercise spiritual leadership. Although filmed nearly 30 years ago, it remains a cautionary tale about the crushing power of patriarchy—all too resilient itself as recent days attest. Indeed, misogyny is hurtling forward. It is not just my story, but the story of countless women whom the Church has silenced, marginalized, and castigated. While there have been many breakthroughs for women in ecclesiastical circles, contempt and abuse stalk their presence, claiming their leadership to be invalid and contrary to theological tradition. On the larger social landscape of politics, law, commerce, and education, the pernicious oppression of women—especially women of color—continues. Naming this reality and concrete resistance remains urgent. It will be an evening of reflection and thoughtful conversation about what is at stake when patriarchy prevails. This special event will begin at 7:00 PM and conclude by 9:15 PM. It will take place on United’s campus and will be available via live streaming. To learn more, please contact Jen Buck (jbuck@unitedseminary.edu). REGISTRATION

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November 8, 2024

Theology and the Arts Lunch: “Tradition and Juxtaposition in the Work of Mahmoud Saleh Mohammadi”

Mahmoud Saleh Mohammadi (b. 1979) is an Iranian artist from Tehran who studied as a painter at the Art University in Tehran and then continued his education at Brera Fine Arts Academy in Italy, graduating in Visual Arts. In his works, he combines the focus, uniformity, and tradition of the (Middle-)East with the Western ideals of creative expression. In many of his pieces, Saleh Mohammadi juxtaposes iconography from Persia to explore the histories of Iran, Italy, Japan, and other countries of his encounter. His vision continues to push the boundaries of his own art, urging spectators to look beneath the surface and uncover the essence of materials, colors, and cultural intersections. He is currently based both in Milan and Antwerp. Join Us Via Zoom > Questions? Contact Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman.

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November 8, 2024

“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 >

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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.

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October 1, 2024

Social Transformation Lunch: Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Join us for a session led by Jerry Gale from Christians Against Christian Nationalism Minnesota. Christians Against Christian Nationalism was started in 2019 as an initiative of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty (BJC). BJC was started in 1936. It is a faith-based advocacy organization, headquartered in Washington DC, that focuses on upholding the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty. Jerry Gale is retired and a member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. In January 2024, with BJC’s support, he started Christians against Christian Nationalism Minnesota. The group’s goal is to improve communications and coordination among Minnesota Christians who are concerned about Christian Nationalism. Onsite attendees can gather at 12:15 PM CT in The Intersection. Online attendees can join via Zoom at this link. >

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August 5, 2024

Guest Lecture with Rev. Dr. Gary Dorrien

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in St. Paul are jointly sponsoring a lecture by the highly esteemed American theologian and ethicist Rev. Dr. Gary Dorrien. The free event will take place at 6:30 PM on September 25, in the main church at St. John’s and be live-streamed on St. John’s YouTube channel. Dorrien, the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University, will base his lecture around two of his recent publications: Anglican Identities: Logos Idealism, Imperial Whiteness, Commonweal Ecumenism and the autobiographical Over from Union Road: My Christian-Left-Intellectual Life. Both books have a 2024 publication date. In Anglican Identities, Dorrien offers a comprehensive historical examination of Anglicanism, encompassing the faith’s longstanding proclivity toward ecumenicalism and idealist approaches. He also argues that the religion’s aspirational ecumenical vision is directly antithetical to English Anglican’s entanglement with colonialism and white supremacy.  Over from Union Road, on sale September 30, is a rich memoir that describes Dorrien’s unlikely journey from being an academically inattentive high school athlete to becoming a renowned social ethicist, theologian, and intellectual historian. The book also covers Dorrien’s participation in the civil rights movement and other social and cultural upheavals during his lengthy career.  Dorrien will also participate in United’s Fall Convocation on September 26 as he joins us to celebrate the installation of his former student, Dr. Demian Wheeler, into the new Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies. The Lecture at St. John’s and United’s Fall Convocation are completely free to attend! View the venue address and information below.

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March 13, 2024

Social Transformation Showcase

Every year, each Social Transformation student at United completes a project or internship that addresses a significant social issue. Join us onsite or through Zoom on April 3 at 7:00 PM to learn about this year's group of projects and the meaningful impact these students have made. This showcase will include seven brief presentations and the opportunity to ask questions and celebrate the work of these students. We will also serve light refreshments.   Register

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February 20, 2024

United Days

We are living through perilous and divisive times. The idea of building walls that keep “us” safe from “them” is as much a vexing spiritual and theological problem as it is a social and political one. How might faith leaders and congregations courageously and creatively engage in socially transformative action from a place of spiritual grounding and depth? How might compassionate listening and radical imagination help us forge new connections across lines of difference, build a more just world with others, and facilitate a “revolution of values,” rather than fuel the flames of fear, hatred, and exclusion? We are excited to welcome you back May 9 and 10 as we explore these questions together in plenary sessions and workshops. Susan Draper White and Keynote Speaker Joy Ladin is a widely published author, essayist and poet, literary scholar, and nationally known speaker on transgender issues. From 2003 to 2021, she held the David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English at Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University; her gender transition and return to teaching in 2008 made her the first openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution. Since coming out as transgender in 2008, Joy has become a nationally recognized speaker on transgender issues. She has been featured in many National Public Radio interviews, most notably “On Being with Krista Tippett,” which has been rebroadcast three times, as well as numerous interviews and profiles in numerous publications. Joy holds a PhD in American Literature from Princeton University, where she was awarded the Porter Ogden Jacobus Fellowship as top graduate student in the Humanities, an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), and a BA from Sarah Lawrence College. Joy has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts writing fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, an American Council of Learned Societies Research Fellowship and two Hadassah Brandeis Institute Research fellowships, among other honors. Note: Due to health issues, Joy will be joining us via Zoom. All other workshops will be led by onsite presenters. Schedule Thursday, May 9, 2024 8:30 AM    Registration/Gathering/Coffee 9:00 AM    Opening Worship 10:00 AM    Coffee Break 10:45 AM    Welcome—President Molly T. Marshall 11:00 AM    Susan Draper White Lecture–“Divinity in the Key of ‘She:’ Feminist and Trans Theology in Shekhinah Speaks”—Dr. Joy Ladin Noon    Lunch 1:15 PM    Workshop 1: "Deeply Rooted Leadership for Tumultuous Times"—Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green II and Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis Workshop 2: “The ‘Art’ of Organizing”—Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman and Ricardo Pérez  Workshop 3: “Tools of the Trade: Gifts from the Shareable World”—Rev. Frenchye Magee 2:15 PM    Break 2:45 PM    Workshop 1: "Spiritual Formation: A New Vision, the Foundation of Formation"—Rev. Dr. Andrew Packman and Rev. T. Michael Rock Workshop 2: "Deepening Our Roots and Engaging Our Differences"—Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape and Dr. Munjed Murad Workshop 3: “Uprising Theology: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church after the Murder of George Floyd”—Dr. Amy Levad and Rev. Ingrid Arneson Rasmussen   4:00 PM    What’s New at United? A Conversation with Dr. Molly T. Marshall, Dean Kyle Roberts, and friends. Join in a lively conversation with United folks curated by the president and the dean. 4:30 PM    Presentation of Spirit of United Award 6:00 PM    Banquet at Town and Country (includes presentation of Bossard Ward, Distinguished Alum Awards) Friday, May 10, 2024 8:15 AM   Gathering/Coffee 9:00 AM   Plenary—Mike Klein and Nikki McComb from Art is My Weapon 10:00 AM   Break 10:15 AM   Keynote Speech–“Babel and Beyond: Understanding and Responding to the Transformation of Gender”—Joy Ladin 11:15 AM   Final Words/Blessing     This year’s United Days programming was organized by United’s Leadership Center for Social Justice with support from the Susan Draper White Lectures that were established by Priscilla Braun* (’83) in memory of her grandmother, Susan Draper White. This endowed event provides lectures in the areas of women in religion, theology, and ministry. * Deceased Registration Details Early Registration (by April 12) Regular Registration (April 13–April 26) Both Days (including lunch and banquet) $85 Registration closed Current United Student (Plenary only, no meal) $10 $20 Current United Student (Plenary + meals) $50 Registration closed Non-Student Zoom $25 Current United Students Zoom No Cost Note: Space is limited. If you intend to register for the banquet or lunch, we must receive your request by April 26. Onsite registrations (with no food) will close May 1 and we will not be able to accommodate late registrations. If you have food allergies, please contact Andrew Fox at afox@unitedseminary.edu. Able to Do More? Consider adding a gift of $61 for the United Fund in honor of United’s 61st year as a seminary. The United Fund provides unrestricted operating funds for the seminary. If you are interested in making a gift of a different size, click here for our Give page. Registration Form

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February 9, 2024

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.

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