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Union Theological Seminary

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Union Theological Seminary

Founded in 1836, Union is the oldest private, independent, non-denominational seminary in the United

Union Theological Seminary has always embodied the freedom to learn and the freedom to teach—ideals that may be more critical than ever to churches and society at this moment in history. Founded in 1836, Union forged a new vision for theological education: to center ministerial training in an urban context so that academic excellence and personal faith might respond to the needs of the city. Today

, a new Union in a world city remains faithful to that vision. With roots that are firmly planted in the Protestant, Reformed tradition, the Seminary continues to reform itself in response to the changing needs of the world and an evolving understanding of what it means to be faithful.

08/06/2026

Union Theological Seminary's new meditation space & Turkish prayer rugs offer a place to pause, reflect, pray, and reconnect.

Created to support the spiritual life of our diverse and interreligious community, this space welcomes moments of prayer, meditation, and quiet reflection amid the rhythms of study and community life.

Whether you’re new to Union or returning to a familiar place, we are excited to share the details of our new interreligious space and invite you to find a moment of stillness, grounding, and renewal here.

07/30/2026

Join Beyond the Bars on August 6th at 7 pm for The Beyond Punishment Series, an online Zoom conversation on collective power and transformation led by Daryl Atkinson of Second Chance Federation, supported by The Center for Justice at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. Together, we’ll explore how directly impacted communities are shaping a world beyond punishment.

Register for the event here: https://buff.ly/vWPHVMc

07/22/2026

Nationwide, anti-choice policymakers and activists are continuing to use Christianity to fuel attacks on reproductive rights. But it wasn’t always that way.

For decades, all the mainline Christian denominations – including the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church – expressed empathy for people considering abortion and support for reproductive rights.

The truth is: The anti-abortion movement didn’t emerge from strong religious convictions. It was a product of politics.

In The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, former Union Theological Seminary President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones and Elon University Professor Rev. Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters explain that the anti-abortion interpretation of the Bible is deeply flawed – and doesn’t belong anywhere near public policy.

Full piece here: https://buff.ly/u2aySBt

More info about Dr. Peters: rebeccatoddpeters.com

07/13/2026

Far-right forces have long used claims of “religious liberty” to advance their agendas – from businesses shutting their doors to same-sex couples to corporations denying healthcare.

But in the midst of unprecedented attacks on immigrants, faith communities are showing us a new vision of religious freedom. Migrants are demanding the right to practice their faiths, and citizens are stepping up to defend their neighbors.

And they’re winning in court.

In a new flagship report from the Center for American Progress titled “Religious Liberty for All” – Liz Platt, director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Union Theological Seminary, describes how faith communities are charting a new course for religious liberty – one that aims to protect people, rather than constrain them.

Full report can be found here: https://buff.ly/XQQgGr2

07/10/2026

Union Theological Seminary professor Rev. Gary Dorrien grew up in a working-class family on Union Road in semi-rural Michigan. Early in his life, he was captivated by two hallmarks that ultimately defined his lifetime of scholarship: the crucifix and the civil rights movement.

In a rare personal lecture and Q&A with Homebrewed Christianity, Rev. Dorrien traces the ideas, scholarship, and experiences that have shaped his work across solidarity activism, theology, social ethics, and beyond. He dives into the nuances of Christian democratic socialism, the role of Hegel in theology, and applications to the current political moment.

Watch the full Q&A here: https://buff.ly/tBAbaw4

07/08/2026

The Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life & Faith (CAC) at Belmont University has announced the recipients of its 2026 Competitive Grant Programs, awarding nearly $2 million through its Artist in Context and Create, Educate, & Network grants. The Technology, Innovation and Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL) at Union Theological Seminary Presents: Sisters in the Digital Wilderness: Finding Freedom in Digital Hush Harbors. A ten-month gathering engaging story circles, scriptural reflection, and digital storytelling practices that explore themes of calling, resilience, and spiritual freedom.

Our TIDEL artist-in-context, Rev. Barbara Lavarin, will pen 10 original spoken-word pieces reflecting the digital hush harbor work. The residency will culminate in public Hush Harbor installations in New York City and Durham, North Carolina, where audiences will encounter the work through live performance and communal reflection. Our TIDEL Director of Programs, Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, will function as the Project Leader for this initiative.

Learn more about the Creative Arts Collective here: https://buff.ly/cnhUcbi

06/25/2026

We couldn't be more proud of Union Theological Seminary alumnus Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock for continuing to advance justice and fight for communities that have long been left behind.

In a recent segment on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Rev. Warnock speaks to the call of Christians to pursue justice and center the concerns of poor and ordinary people. He also discusses his new book, The Crooked Places Made Straight, which explores the role of faith in politics and the crises facing America today.

Congrats, Rev. Warnock!

Watch the full clip: https://buff.ly/WOk8uSv

06/24/2026

Exciting news! Union Theological Seminary professor and acclaimed scholar Rev. Dr. Gary Dorrien is leading a Homebrewed Christianity series exploring theology, justice, and the ongoing struggle for democracy.

In Week 1, Rev. Dorrien explores the history of the Black social gospel – the founding of the NAACP, the anti-lynching crusade of Ida B. Wells, the ministry of Reverdy Ransom, the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr., and beyond.

The following Q&A goes even deeper – on what made the Black social gospel unique, how Wells and Ransom held together faith and radical action, and what a new abolition could actually look like today.

Watch the Q&A: https://buff.ly/lOaRmdL

06/23/2026

In 2020, prison guards in Louisiana held down and shaved Damon Landor, a Rastafarian who vowed not to cut his hair as part of his faith.

Landor tried to stop the guards by handing them a copy of a court decision holding that shaving him would violate federal law. But they threw it out.

Today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Landor has no right to compensation. Now, state jail and prison employees across the country have a free pass to commit similar violations of incarcerated people’s religious freedom.

In a new op-ed in RNS, Liz Platt – director of Union Theological Seminary’s LRRP – argues that this case is far from unique. While our nation claims to protect religious liberty, the path to justice is often far harder for those who face obstacles within our larger judicial system.

Read the full piece in RNS: https://buff.ly/RY0Gr3e

06/19/2026

Today we commemorate Juneteenth: a day that marks the end of chattel slavery in America and calls us to reckon honestly with our nation's history.

As we honor this day, we recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of racial justice, repair, and liberation for every single person.

Address

New York, NY

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+12126627100

Website

https://utsnyc.edu/

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