Tag: The Ministry Lab

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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

The Ministry Lab: Envisioning Ecumenical Possibilities for Anti-Racism

Clergy, faith formation ministers, other congregational leaders, and the whole United community, are invited to a panel discussion including anti-racism and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leaders from the ELCA, PC(USA), and UCC of Minnesota. Explore approaches to anti-racism work appropriate for diverse settings and leave inspired, with applicable resources for your congregation—no matter where you are in your anti-racism work. This is offered as a collaboration between United’s Anti-Racist Initiatives and The Ministry Lab. Panel Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green, Moderator Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green II is assistant professor of pastoral theology and social transformation and director of anti-racist initiatives at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He earned his PhD from Brite Divinity School, where he focused on issues related to young African American men through the lens of public pastoral theology. His dissertation, “Playing the Game: Unmarking ‘Beast’ from the Bodies of Young Black Men,” is a project that seeks to humanize young black men by allowing their voices to challenge stereotypical scripts that cast them as “beasts” for public consumption. Rev. Anna Kendig Flores, Panelist Anti-Racism Coordinator for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Presbyterian Church (USA) Anna Kendig Flores is an educator, writer, and certified interfaith/secular spiritual advisor. Currently working in the realm of systemic ethics and anti-racism, she brings her experience with mental health and evidence-based addiction recovery programming to the context of her various roles. Manny Lewis, Panelist Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice for the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Manny Lewis joined the Minneapolis Area Synod as the Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice in March 2023. A North Minneapolis resident for more than 16 years, Manny has seen a lot of things change. He has also benefited from the opportunity of mentorship, which has motivated his mission is to enrich the lives of brown and black communities and bring communities of all kinds together in the hopes of healing racial injustice, and giving people the opportunity for better lives. Prior to coming to the Minneapolis Area Synod, Manny worked with youth and community outreach at the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE) in North Minneapolis. Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Panelist Associate Conference Dean of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ In January 2024, Rev. Kelly Gallagher began as settled Associate Conference Minister, bringing deep experience in supporting congregations and their leadership and a demonstrated commitment to the work of racial equity. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Since 1996 she has served in a variety of roles in local United Church of Christ congregations in Massachusetts, and from 2013–2021 served as Associate Conference Minister with the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, where her experience included ministering to more than 100 local congregations, staffing Committees on Ministry, and overseeing the justice ministries of the Massachusetts Conference. Note: Please park in the non-gated lot that is on the south side of the Case Building.