Tag: social justice

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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

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