Alumni/ae News

Rev. Dr. Edward G. Horstmann, ’59 M.Div. appointed senior minister at the Round Hill Community Church.

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:12:00 GMT

The Round Hill Community Church will welcome its new senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Edward G. Horstmann, on June 2, when he will lead the service. Following, there will be what promises to be an especially festive celebratory picnic at the Community House. Read More>>

Rev. Burkey Appointed to First Church of Christ

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:57:00 GMT

Rev. Julia Burkey, M.Div. '12, is the new pastor of First Church of Christ in Middletown, CT. Read More>>

Rev. Dr. Jenks Appointed to The United Church of Christ of Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:48:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Deborah Jenks, M.Div. '82, has been appointed to The United Church of Christ of Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor. Read More>>

The World of the Child in the Hebrew Bible, a book by Naomi Steinberg ‘75

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:18:00 GMT

The question 'What is a child?' is not easily answered. To make us aware of the multiple factors that contribute to the social construction of childhood in the Hebrew Bible, Naomi Steinberg draws on ethno-historical evidence and incorporates the insights of contemporary social studies of childhood. Through close readings of Genesis 21, 1 Samuel 1 and Exodus 21.22-25, she argues that chronological age and biological immaturity do not determine the boundaries of childhood in biblical Israel. Read More>>

Norris Chumley, MA, '02, MPhil, '06 and PhD, '08, Receives Wilbur Award from the Religious Communicators Council

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:48:00 GMT

Norris Chumley, MA, '02, MPhil, '06 and PhD, '08 won the Wilbur Award from the Religious Communicators Council, for his Columbia national radio series, "Rethinking Religion: Harlem Renaissance, Music, Religion and the Politics of Race." Read More>>

Kneeling at the Altar of Science: The Mistake Path of Contemporary Religious Scientism, a book by Robert Bolger '02

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:52:00 GMT

In Kneeling at the Altar of Science, Robert Bolger ’02, argues that much of the recent writing in science and religion falls prey to the practice of what he calls "religious scientism," or the attempt to use science to explain and clarify certain religious concepts. Bolger then shows, with clarity and humor, how religious scientism harms rather than helps, arguing in the end that religious concepts do better when their meaning is found in the context of their religious use. This book promises to be a fresh approach to the ever-popular dialogue between science and religion. Read More>>

Meditations on the Good News:  Reading the Bible for Today

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:57:00 GMT

The Reverend Debra W. Haffner ’02 had never really read the Bible until she was in her forties and attending seminary. Like many people, she believed that the Bible was primarily a book of “thou shalt not’s,” and that its teachings were not relevant. Once she began studying scripture, Haffner discovered to her surprise that she was inspired by many of its passages and insights. This awakening ultimately resulted in her new book, Meditations on the Good News: Reading the Bible for Today. Read More>>

How Maps Change Things

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:38:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Ward L. Kaiser, M.Div. '49, has published How Maps Change Things: A Conversation about the Maps We Choose and the World We Want. Read More>>

A Biological Depiction of Grace

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:06:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes about a biomathematical conception of grace. Read More>>

Dr. Beverly Roberts Gaventa '73 Appointed Distinguished Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Baylor

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:11:00 GMT

Dr. Beverly Roberts Gaventa, M.Div. '73, has been appointed Distinguished Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Baylor University. Read More>>

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight '80 to Give King Address

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:19:00 GMT

The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight, M.Div. '80, will be the featured speaker at McCormick's Annual King Worship and Praise Celebration in January. Read More>>

Liberal Theology and the Uncertainness of God

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:11:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes about Unitarian Universalist understandings of theology for the Huffington Post: "Plurality of belief reflects the world we actually live in. Our theology, liberal theology, is seeking ways to speak to this truth." Read More>>

Eating for Fullness

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:48:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 reflects on Hurricane Sandy, Thanksgiving, and Black Friday. Read More>>

Gay Activist Irene Monroe '90 Speaks OUT

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:41:00 GMT

Rev. Irene Monroe, M.Div. '90, gives an interview to Charlotte Robinson of OUTTAKE VOICES. She discusses race, religion, sexuality, and democracy. Read More>>

Rev. Dr. McMickle '73 Honored with Distinguished Alumni Award at Princeton

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:59:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Marvin McMickle, M.Div. '73, has been honored with a distinguished alumni award from Princeton Theological Seminary. Read More>>

Rev. Nicholas S. Richards '09 Appointed New Foreign Mission Board Executive Secretary

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:06:00 GMT

The National Baptist Convention has appointed Rev. Nicholas S. Richards, M.Div. '09, the new Executive Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board. Read More>>

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 on Belief, Faith, and Unrest

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:01:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes for The Huffington Post about the difference between faith and belief: "Since the rise of Christian Fundamentalism in the past 40 years, we've tended to conflate the two in the United States. For example, 'You're only a true Christian if you adhere to these strict set of beliefs.' But that's a modern sense of religious life. It's also a Western sense of religious life. I will also suggest, it's not in line with central Christian teachings." Read More>>

Rev. Lawrence Pray '64 Publishes Book on Body and Soul after Brain Injury

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:29:00 GMT

Rev. Lawrence Pray '64 has published his most recent book, Thresholds: Connecting Body and Soul after Brain Injury. It describes his insights into theology and church history after a series of life-threatening strokes. Read More>>

Rev. Gabriel Salguero Ranked among Top Latino Religious Leaders

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:38:00 GMT

Former Union student Rev. Gabriel Salguero has been ranked among the nation's top Latino religious leaders by The Huffington Post. Read More>>

Union Mourns the Passing of Louis W. Schneider M.Div., '38

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:54:00 GMT

Louis W. Schneider [M.Div., '38], whose four decades of work with the American Friends Service Committee saw him involved in crucial events on a national and world stage during the latter half of the 20th century but who always returned to his Glenmoore farm to tend his garden, has died. He was 97. Read More>>

Rev. Marvin A. McMickle M.Div., '73, Preacher, Activist to Give Guest Lecture

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:45:00 GMT

Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, [Union M.Div., '73] Ph.D., a respected preacher, author and figure in the struggles for social, racial and economic justice, will give a guest lecture Oct. 9 at Gannon University.

The lecture is free and open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Yehl Ballroom of Gannon University’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7^th St. It is titled, “Economic Justice in Today’s World.” Read More>>

Bishop Disani Christopher Senyonjo, MDiv 1966, STM 1967, Unitas Distinguished Alumnus 2011 has been honored with a Clinton Global Citizen Award for Support of LGBT Rights

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Bishop Christopher Senyonjo of Kampala, Uganda, will receive a Clinton Global Citizen Award at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting this evening for his outstanding work to support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people through the St. Paul's Reconciliation and Equality Centre in Kampala. The award recognizes Bishop Senyonjo's work in promoting the equal rights of LGBT people in Uganda and across more than 70 countries where being LGBT is illegal and often persecuted. Read More>>

Rev. Curtis Hart M.Div. '72 to present Heberden Society Lecture, September 27, 2012

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Curtis Hart, M.Div. '72, Lecturer in Public Health, Psychiatry, and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, will present the first Heberden Society Lecture of the 2012-13 academic year on Thursday, September 27, 2012, at The New York Academy of Medicine.

For more infromation and registration, please visit The New York Academy of Medicine Website. The event is free but registration is required.

Webinar with Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson '00: Carism: Let Go of the Process and Outcome

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:27:00 GMT

Join Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, M.Div. '00, for her monthly webinar through the Center of Spiritual Light. On September 25 she will be discussing Carism: Let Go of the Process and the Outcome. Registration for the live portion of the webinar is limited to 8 participants. Read More>>

Elizabeth Dias writes about Rev. Derrick Harkins, M.Div. ’87, the pastor behind the Democratic Party’s Faith Outreach

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:59:00 GMT

“Faith is an integral part of the Democratic Party,” the Reverend Derrick Harkins [M.Div. ‘87] proclaimed Wednesday as he kicked off a panel on religion at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. “Don’t put any credence to the lie that somehow faith is not an integral part of who we are as Democrats—somebody ought to say, ‘Amen!’” Applause filled the forum. The event, the second that Harkins helped organize this week in addition to a daily morning prayer series, is the most recent attempt by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to rally the faith vote for President Obama in November. And Harkins is the man behind the mission. Read More>>

Union Mourns Walter Harrelson '49, '53

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:32:00 GMT

Walter Harrelson, M.Div. '49 and Ph.D. '53, was an extraordinary scholar and translator. He chaired the Old Testament committee of scholars for the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. A committed Baptist and prominent faculty member at the country's finest theological institutions, Harrelson passed away in early September 2012. Read More>>

Dr. Trevor Eppehimer new dean at Hood Seminary

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:01:00 GMT

Dr. Trevor Eppehimer [Ph.D. '06] has been appointed associate academic dean of Hood Theological Seminary by Dr. Albert J.D. Aymer, seminary president.

A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Eppehimer received his bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., in 1995, majoring in religion, philosophy and English; a master of divinity degree in 1999 from Yale Divinity School with an emphasis in systematic theology and philosophy of religion; and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 2006. He is published and has presented his papers at meetings of the American Academy of Religion and at several seminaries around the country. Read More>>

Faith, Freedom, and Guns

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:44:00 GMT

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes for The Huffington Post: "Disheartened by the tragedies involving gun violence in Colorado and Wisconsin, I am disturbed by the frequent knee-jerk response by some Americans to defend all access to weapons as a simple matter of our Second Amendment rights. I'm am even more disturbed by the frequency in which fellow Christians seem to be the people most often saying this." Read More>>

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

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:13:00 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 19:16:00 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 19:18:00 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 More>>

Love vs. Sheriff Arpaio's Tent City

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:24:00 GMT

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

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

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:22:00 GMT

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

In the Spirit: The Huffington Post Gets Religion

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:20:00 GMT

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

Donald Morrison '57 Receives Award from Augustana College

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:26:00 GMT

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

Wedding Theology for the Spiritual but Not Religious

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:25:00 GMT

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

In Sausalito, First Openly Gay Presbyterian Pastor

Tue, 29 May 2012 19:28:00 GMT

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

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

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:30:00 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. Read More>>

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

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:32:00 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 More>>

White Range

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:41:00 GMT

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

Rev. Ellick '00 receives prestigious award

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:42:00 GMT

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

Bishop Mark Hanson '72 to Address Gustavus Adolphus College

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:43:00 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>>

Islamic Studies, Womanist Concerns

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:48:00 GMT

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

Kingston Congregational Church Appoints Union Alum

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:45:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Weldon Palmer '77 has been appointed senior pastor at Kingston Congregational Church. Read More>>

Santorum's War on Religious Freedom

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:55:00 GMT

Rev. Jude Geiger '08 analyzes Rick Santorum's call for an end to religious freedom. Read More>>

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

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:01:00 GMT

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

Rev. Heidi Johnston '11 Installed at Faith Lutheran Church

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:58:00 GMT

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

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

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:05:00 GMT

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

LESHRC Names Alexandra Dyer '86 Executive Director

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:03:00 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>>

The War on Christianity

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:09:00 GMT

The Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes for The Huffington Post about Jesus' message and contemporary politics. Read More>>

From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:11:00 GMT

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

Rev. Paul Mowry '08 Ordained at Sausalito Presbyterian Church

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:14:00 GMT

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

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

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:12:00 GMT

Ebony Magazine speaks with Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Wiley '85 about his church's inclusivity. Read More>>

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

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:16:00 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.

Kevin Jennings Wins Distinguished Alumni Award

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:17:00 GMT

Union trustee Kevin Jennings wins the Distinguished Alumni Award at his alma mater, Teachers College. Jennings was the Assistant Deputy Secretary on the Obama Administration for the office of Safe & Drug-free Schools. He is the CEO and president of "Be the Change" (a non-profit) and established the nation's first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Read More>>

Being the Change You Wish to See in the Middle East

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:26:00 GMT

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

Melissa Harris-Perry to Speak at Emory during King Week

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:24:00 GMT

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

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 21:20:00 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. Read More>>

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. Read More>>