Union Alumni/ae News

A New Way to Be Human: 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:24:00 GMT

Rev. Robert V. Taylor, M.Div. '84, has released A New Way to Be Human: 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive. It features a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and has received praise from Deepak Chopra, Bernie Siegel, Tracey Lind '87, and others. Read More>>

Communication Case Studies

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Dr. Carolyn Shadle, M.R.E. '64, has co-authored a new book about effective workplace communication, Communication Case Studies. Read more >>

Rev. Dr. Fred Muir '75 Gives 192nd Berry Street Lecture

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Fred Muir, M.Div. '75, Senior Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (MD), presented the 192nd Berry Street Lecture in June. The longest running lecture series in the USA, his topic was “From iChurch to Beloved Community: Ecclesiology and Justice.” Kimberly Tomaszweski, M.Div. '09, Assistant Minister of Congregational Life at the Unitarian Church of Summit (NJ), gave a response. Read the lecture and response here.

In the Spirit: The Huffington Post Gets Religion

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:33:00 GMT

The Wisconsin State Journal features the work of Paul Raushenbush '96 in founding the religion section of the Huffington Post. Read about him here.

As ministers, N.J. couples share their lives and calling

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Lynne Weber '96 and Dean Weber '02 minister in the same New Jersey parish. Read more here.

Love vs. Sheriff Arpaio's Tent City

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:36:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes about theological values and Sheriff Arpaio's Tent City in Arizona. Read the article here.

Wedding Theology for the Spiritual but Not Religious

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes for The Huffington Post about wedding ceremonies for couples without a faith tradition. Read the article here.

Donald Morrison '57 Receives Award from Augustana College

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:17:00 GMT

Donald Morrison, S.M.M. '57, received the Honorary Alumni Award from Augustana College. Read more here.

In Sausalito, First Openly Gay Presbyterian Pastor

Tue, 29 May 2012 15:41:00 GMT

Rev. Paul R. Mowry, M.Div '08, has become the first openly gay pastor of Sausalito Presbyterian Church. Read more here.

Kirsten Wilson '02 Receives Grant from National Endowment for the Arts

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:43:00 GMT

Kirsten Wilson, M.Div. ’02, received $40,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts in support of One Action-One Boulder and theater projects she created exploring issues of inclusion and equity in Boulder, Colorado.

Through theatre, literature and film, One Action-One Boulder sparks community engagement toward racial and economic justice and toward inclusive community. It is the brainchild of award-winning theater artist Kirsten Wilson. Shocked by local hate crimes in 2005 and 2006, Wilson developed the theater piece Rocks Karma Arrows. With the support of the NEA, One Action-One Boulder will use theater to create conversations about our shared past, and will ask participants to commit to take action toward a more inclusive, equitable future.

For more information about other events in this series sponsored by the NEA, visit http://www.one-action.org/

Rev. Robin H. Gorsline '99 in New York Times

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:53:00 GMT

Rev. Robin H. Gorsline, M.Div. '99, is pictured in the New York Times supporting Tracy Thorne-Begland's bid for a Virginia judgeship. Read the article here.

White Rage

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:36:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes about the Trayvon Martin case in The Huffington Post. Read the article here.

Rev. Ellick '00 receives prestigious award

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:49:00 GMT

Rev. Michael Ellick '00 M.Div., was recently awarded the Bridge Builder Award by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Read the full article here.

Bishop Mark Hanson '72 to Address Gustavus Adolphus College

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:15:00 GMT

ELCA Bishop Mark S. Hanson '72 will address Gustavus Adolphus College on the occasion of its sesquicentennial. He will address "The Future of Lutheran Higher Education." Read more here.

Kingston Congregational Church Appoints Union Alum

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Weldon Palmer '77 has been appointed senior pastor at Kingston Congregational Church. Read the article here.

Islamic Studies, Womanist Concerns

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:33:00 GMT

Union alumna Kim McCrae '10 talks about Islamic Studies at Duke and funding the Mitchell-Jackson Chair. Read the article here.

Santorum's War on Religious Freedom

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:45:00 GMT

Rev. Jude Geiger '08 analyzes Rick Santorum's call for an end to religious freedom. Read the article here.

Rev. Heidi Johnston '11 Installed at Faith Lutheran Church

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:17:00 GMT

The Rev. Heidi Johnston '11 has been installed as pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Quincy, Massachusetts. Read the article here.

Dr. Loñieta Cornwall '73 Receives North Carolina's Highest Honor

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:41:00 GMT

Dr. Loñieta Aurora Thompson Cornwall '73 received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from North Carolina. Read the press release here.

LESHRC Names Alexandra Dyer '86 Executive Director

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:44:00 GMT

Alexandra Dyer, who earned her M.Div. from Union in 1986, has been named Executive Director of the Lower East Side Harm Reduction Committee. Read more here.

Dr. Kate M. Ott '06 Appointed to Faculty at Drew

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:21:00 GMT

Dr. Kate M. Ott, who eared her Ph.D. from Union in 2006, was appointed Assistant Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Drew University. Read more here.

Julian of Norwich: A Mystic for the 21st Century

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:53:00 GMT

Father William Meninger, a Trappist Monk and one of the founders of centering prayer, will give three talks at St. Luke in the Fields and St. Joseph Churches Friday, May 18, 2012 – Sunday, May 20, 2012.

On Friday evening from 7 pm - 9 pm he will speak about his book Julian of Norwich: A Mystic for the 21st Century. On Saturday from 1 – 4 pm he will discuss “Models of Contemplation: Theological Background of Contemplative Prayer and Meditation.” On Sunday from 1 – 5 pm his subject will be “The Process of Forgiveness and Centering Prayer.”

Tickets are $25 for Friday’s talk, $75 for Saturday’s, and $50 for Sunday’s, or tickets for all three events can be purchased for $120 at http://cony.eventbrite.com/

For more information, go to http://www.centeringprayerny.com/

The War on Christianity

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:47:00 GMT

The Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes for The Huffington Post about Jesus' message and contemporary politics. Read the article here.

From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:53:00 GMT

Early reviews praise the new book from Union alum Patrick Cheng '01, From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ. Read more here.

Taking a Lead on Faith: Four Black Pastors at the Forefront of LGBT Equality

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:20:00 GMT

Ebony Magazine speaks with Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Wiley '85 about his church's inclusivity. Read the article here.

Rev. Paul Mowry '08 Ordained at Sausalito Presbyterian Church

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:06:00 GMT

Rev. Paul Mowry '08 has been ordained as the first openly gay pastor of Sausalito Presbyterian Church. Read more here.

Union Alumna Emily Brown '10 Featured on "Day 1"

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:54:00 GMT

Emily M. Brown, the 2010 recipient of the David H. C. Read Preacher/Scholar Award, is the featured preacher Feb. 12 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.

The David H. C. Read Preacher/Scholar Award was established in 1989 by the congregation of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, N.Y. to honor Dr. Read, a renowned preacher, scholar, author, and ecumenist, on his retirement as senior minister after 34 years. The award is given to a student in the final year of a master of divinity degree program at a Protestant theological school who demonstrates special distinction in both preaching and biblical scholarship and is committed to the parish pulpit.

Brown is currently serving as interim associate pastor of Broadway United Church of Christ in New York, N.Y., where she served while in seminary as pastoral associate. She has also served as community minister at Judson Memorial Church.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 2007. She graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 2010, receiving the Kneeland Award for preaching.

In her sermon on “Day 1,” entitled “Jesus Interrupted,” Brown draws lessons from Jesus’ response to a man requesting healing in Mark 1:40-45.

“When Jesus feels anger and then acts with compassion, he reminds us that discipleship can mean loving God and our neighbor with our actions even when we are angry, or anxious, or distracted,” she says. “Discipleship can mean responding faithfully to God’s surprises and life’s curveballs, even when it is hard. And in that endeavor, friends, we are never alone.”

The program includes interviews with Brown conducted by Wallace, who is also executive producer.

“Day 1” has been broadcast every week for nearly 67 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day 1” is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta, GA.

For more information, call toll free 888-411-DAY-1 or check the program’s website, http://day1.org.

Marian Wright Edelman and Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson '88 to Appear at Trinity Wall Street to Commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:04:00 GMT

Marian Wright Edelman (left), founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, Union Medal recipient 2000 and Trailblazer Honoree 2010, will be the guest preacher at Trinity Wall Street's Holy Eucharist service on Sunday, January 15. For more information, click here.

The Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson '88 (right), Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund New York, and current Union Trustee, will lead a Sunday school class on the 15th about how she experiences God. For more information, click here.

Melissa Harris-Perry to Speak at Emory during King Week

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Union alumna Melissa Harris-Perry gives the keynote address during Emory University's King Week.

Being the Change You Wish to See in the Middle East

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Union alumna Jenn Lindsay '11 writes about her travels in Israel for State of Formation.

The Bankability of Backward: At What Price "Priceless"?

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:13:00 GMT

Rev. Jennifer Crumpton '11 writes about profits and conscience on State of Formation.