Tag: theology and the arts

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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.  

Theology and the Arts Lunch: “Acrostic Poetry” with Kristina Erny

On March 10, from 12:15–1:15 PM CST—that’s 2:15 AM Shanghai time!—Sheryl Schwyhart (’20) will host a Theology and the Arts Lunch on campus at the Intersection, and online. Our special guest is Kristina Erny, a third-culture poet, visual artist, and the author of Elijah Fed by Ravens. Kristina was raised in South Korea and abroad, and currently lives in Shanghai, China. She will be sharing her praxis of poetry, “Acrostic Poetry,” and how it can expand our understanding of sacred texts. Join us onsite in The Intersection or click here to join via Zoom. > Questions? Contact Sheryl Schwyhart.

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. 

Theology and the Arts Lunch with Dale Dobias (’89)

Join us for the first Theology and the Arts Lunch of 2026 featuring Dale Dobias (’89), an alum and former staff member. Dale, the artist and curator of the on-campus exhibit titled "Re: assembled — An Offering," will be joining us to talk about his art practice in mini collage and guide attendees in creating their own. Join us onsite in The Intersection or click here to join via Zoom. > Questions? Contact Sheryl Schwyhart.

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 Arts Praxis Showcase: Nexus

Please join us for the Arts Praxis showcase event on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 1:00–3:00 PM CT in United’s chapel and online. The Arts Praxis exhibit, titled “Nexus,” will be on display in the United gallery. The artists will each briefly present their work, and they include Leah Eichmiller, Tyrone Fowlkes, Tierany Lyons, Megan Maki, Emily McKown, Walken Schweigert, and Amy Zucker Morgenstern. Light refreshments will be provided. Please register so we can prepare for our guests! If you will be joining us online, please access the showcase here. >

Social Fabric: The Lives of Our Beloved Textiles

What is alive in your favorite textile objects? Whose lives have they witnessed? For our first Theology and the Arts Lunch (bring your own) of 2025, join local fiber artist and zine-maker Allison Keirstead Jones onsite or online for a discussion about her anthology project, Social Fabric: The Lives of Our Beloved Textiles. You are invited to bring a special textile object from your life to present as part of our conversation. Join Us Via Zoom > Passcode: Awes-Freem

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.