Union Presbyterian Seminary Archives

Celebrating Theological Education Sunday this month

Posted September 3rd, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Mindy Douglas had her heart set on studying biology followed by a career as a geneticist when she entered college. But, as she says, “God did a little God thing,” and she was called into ministry.

In a pandemic, back-to-school excitement is tempered

Posted August 6th, 2020

An event millions of Americans are about to face — the return to in-person education, and the impact that race, faith and COVID-19 are having to shape the education experience for students, parents, educators and other school staff — were the subjects of an hour-long panel discussion last week sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Presbyterian pastor, educator and mission co-worker dies in North Carolina at 94

Posted August 5th, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Lamar Williamson Jr., beloved Presbyterian pastor and educator and a former mission co-worker in the then-Belgian Congo, died peacefully on July 11 in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was 94.

Chaplains describe pandemic-caused trauma and grief experienced by families, patients and staff

Posted July 28th, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Lynn McClintock did a graveside service recently for the son of two residents she serves at a long-term care facility for seniors in Richmond, Virginia.

Prodigious Old Testament scholar Patrick D. Miller, Jr. dies at 84

Posted July 28th, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Patrick D. Miller Jr., a prodigious scholar at two seminaries affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), died May 1, in Black Mountain, North Carolina after a long illness. He was 84.

The Rev. Dr. Doug Oldenburg, Moderator of the 210th General Assembly, dies at 85

Posted July 22nd, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Doug Oldenburg, a pastor, Moderator of the 210th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) held in 1998 and the seventh president of Columbia Theological Seminary, died Tuesday at the age of 85.

Scripture in a time of pandemic: It’s where to find hope

Posted July 20th, 2020

When asked how the current pandemic changes the way he interprets Scripture, the Rev. Dr. Brian K. Blount speaks of hope in the midst of struggle. The question of theodicy — divine goodness in the presence of evil — comes to mind, he said, citing the Old Testament trials of Job.

Reimagining public safety

Posted July 15th, 2020

Last week, a panel convened by Union Presbyterian Seminary discussed how Christians can respond to unjust policing, On Tuesday, a different panel sought to reimagine what public safety might look like in a just society.

How Christians can respond to unjust policing

Posted July 8th, 2020

Panelists, some of them with firsthand accounts, discussed how Christians can respond to unjust policing during a Tuesday webinar hosted by two organizations affiliated with Union Presbyterian Seminary.

What white churches can do about racism

Posted June 10th, 2020

What should predominantly white churches do to help their communities address racial disparity and systemic racialized oppression? A panel convened by two Union Presbyterian Seminary organizations — the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership and the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation — had some ideas Tuesday during an hour-long webinar.