Tag: trans theology

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April 16, 2026

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

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February 10, 2026

Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis Preaching at St. Anthony Park UCC

Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, United’s McVay Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Social Transformation, as well as program director for Social Transformation, will preach at St. Anthony Park UCC in St. Paul —led by pastor Rev. Victoria Wilgocki (’06)—(2129 Commonwealth Avenue, St. Paul) on Sunday, March 22, during the 10:30 AM CT service. He would love to see you there! Visit the church’s website for details. 

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March 26, 2025

Justice and Joy: Empowering Religious Support for Trans Lives

In a time when trans lives are under direct attack, LGBTQ leaders are pushing back and inviting more allies to speak up about our religious identity. Join other people of faith at United—on May 30, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM—to learn how to lift your voice effectively in large and small ways that are authentic to your beliefs and tradition. We are delighted to share that we will be hearing from many important voices in this discussion, including Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg, Rabbi Heather Renetzky, Rev. T. Michael Rock, Rev. Nora Elliott (’17), Rev. Karen Hutt, Dallas Rising, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, Rep. Leigh Finke, Rev. Oby Ballinger, Justin Lewandowski, Seth Anderson-Matz (’24), Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow, Allison Connelly-Vetter, Chelsea Boyden (’25), and Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel (’13). We will remember what our traditions teach about affirming diverse genders. Then we will learn practical ways to take action at the legislature, in public forums, and with our faith communities. There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking and celebrating with others whose faith calls them to work for trans liberation. Here’s the schedule for the day: 9:00 AM Opening Ritual/Workshop 9:30 AM Welcome 9:40 AM Opening Address: Why We Are Here 10:20 AM Break 10:30 AM Faith-based Small Groups 11:30 AM Reconnect and Share 12:00 PM Lunch 1:00 PM   How-to Workshop Creating an Op-Ed/Communications Connecting with Elected Officials Organizing Your Family or Faith Community Creating a Trans-Inclusive Ministry Setting 1:45 PM How-to-Workshop 2:30–3:00 PM Closing and Next Steps   After the day’s activities, join us for Queer Prom. The fun happens at SpringHouse Ministry Center in Minneapolis starting at 7:00 PM. This event is sponsored by United’s Social Transformation program and Leadership Center for Social Justice, Prism Organizing Network, Creekside United Church of Christ, and the Center for Sustainable Social Justice at Lyndale UCC. To sign up for the Justice and Joy and/or the Queer Prom, please fill out the Google Form linked below. Access the Google Form >

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February 5, 2025

Book Launch—Trans Biblical: New Approaches to Interpretation and Embodiment in Scripture

Join us for the launch of Trans Biblical: New Approaches to Interpretation and Embodiment in Scripture, a new collection of wide-ranging essays published by Westminster John Knox. The book explores key issues animating trans-biblical interpretation from a variety of angles and emphases. Contributors, who represent a range of gender identities, answer the question—“What makes a biblical reading trans, or a trans reading biblical?”—in diverse and exciting ways. They also promote new ways of thinking about gender variation in the ancient world while more sensitively and critically addressing ongoing debates about gender and embodiment.  Several editors (including United’s adjunct faculty, Melissa Harl Sellew, ThD, along with Dr. Joseph A. Marchal and Dr. Katy Valentine) and contributors (including United’s core faculty, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia Tanis) will offer brief remarks about the book, with a response by MA student Elliott Barnhill. Those who attend in person can enjoy light refreshments. Register below to join us onsite or online.

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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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