Michelle Alexander At Union

It is with deep pleasure and excitement that I invite you to join us here at Union to hear author, advocate, professor, and civil rights lawyer Michelle Alexander for the Fifth Annual Judith Davidson Moyers Women of Spirit Lecture. Alexander is author of the ground-breaking book The New Jim Crow, which argues that “targeting black men through the War on Drugs and decimating communities of color, the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control… even as it formally adheres to the principle of colorblindness.”

Please join us for Alexander’s lecture in James Chapel on March 4, 2015 at 6:30pm. An RSVP is required, as we expect a full-capacity crowd.

RSVP to the Women of Spirit Lecture Here

Alexander serves as a leading prophetic voice and thought leader around the issues of mass incarceration and civil rights. We are excited to learn from her and continue to advance the work of justice by educating people in the classroom, on the streets, and every place we are. 

Peace,

Serene Jones
President
Union Theological Seminary

Call out to Latina/o Alumni/ae!

Although Union has a rich legacy of beautiful diversity, Latinas and Latinos have been seriously underrepresented within its walls for generations. As an institution deeply committed to equity, diversity, and social justice, we can, and must, change this story. In an effort to improve Latina/o recruitment and retention at Union, we invite all Latina/o identified students and alumni/ae to share their experiences with us via an online survey and/or focus group. The purpose of the survey and focus group is to assess the experience of Latinas/os during their time at Union, paying special attention to the supports and barriers they encountered while striving to earn their seminary degrees. The office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Alumni Relations, and the UTS Mestizaje: Latina and Latino Caucus were consulted in the creation of this survey. The information gathered will be instrumental in informing Union’s institutional efforts to better serve Latina/o students and their communities. The final report will be shared with the Union community upon completion.

Follow this link to fill out the online survey by March 1st. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

In addition to the survey, we also invite you to participate in a focus group hosted by UTS Mestizaje: A Latina and Latino Caucus. The focus group will take place on Friday, March 6th from 6:00-8:00pm at Union Theological Seminary. This will be a wonderful opportunity Latina/o students and alumni/ae to gather and communally dig deeper into the questions raised in the survey. Follow this link to RSVP! Please help us spread the word by passing this information along to other Latina/o students and alumni/ae, and encouraging them to participate. 

Upcoming Events at Union

Trailblazers Preaching Series:

Rev. Dr. Adolphus Lacey of Bethany Baptist Church
February 19 | 7-9p
Union Theological Seminary | James Chapel

The eleventh Pastor of the historic Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, Reverend Dr. Adolphus C.  Lacey is a man of letters called by God to serve humanity. A native of Kansas City, KS, his mandate is to preach, teach and inspire diverse communities throughout this nation.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in World History degree from Ottawa University, a Master of Divinity degree from the famed Union Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Northwestern University.  He also holds a certificate from the Harvard University Divinity School’s Institute for Church-based Community and Economic Development.

Trailblazers Finale
February 26 | 12:30p-7p | Union Theological Seminary
12:30 – 2 pm – Reimagining Ministry Workshops  (sponsored and organized by the Black Caucus)
 5:30 pm – Trailblazer Reception
 7 pm – Trailblazer Celebration and Service

Got Sermon? Lecture Series

The Lectionary study series, launched in 2008, remains a visible expression of Union Theological Seminary’s service to the community. Taking place in the weeks before Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, the series brings the talents of our faculty to our alumni/ae, students, and neighbors who “pastor” church congregations.

The Lenten/Easter schedule for 2015:

2/19: Rev. Dr. Sam Cruz: “A View From the Field”
2/26: Dr. Beth Bidlack: “For There is Hope for a Tree”: Lenten Lessons from Job 14:1-14
3/5: Rev. Dr. Hal Taussig: “Crucifixion and Resurrection in the Gospel of Mark”
3/12: Rev. Dr. Robyn Whitaker: “Turning towards Terror: Preaching Palm/Passion Sunday”
3/19: Dr. Aliou Niang: “Recovery of Sight in Mark 16:1-8″

Each of the Got Sermon? Lectionary Series happen every Thursday between Febuary 19 and March 19 from 8:00a-9:30a in the Bonhoeffer Room at Union Theological Seminary.

RSVP today!

Learning In Community Forum: “Queering Ministry” Panel

March 25 | 6:30-8:30p
Social Hall

“Queering Ministry” brings together Christian leaders who are doing ministry from a queer space. They will speak about their work and ministries in new forms that are often transgressive.
Panelists: Rev. Dr. Patrick S. Cheng, Dr. Edgar Rivera Colón, Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, Rev. Dr. Martha R. Jacobs, Rev. Rodney McKenzie Jr., Rev. Dr. Elijah C. Nealy, and Dr. Kathleen T. Talvacchia.

To learn more about our panelists, “Queering Ministry” and to register – click here.