SEMINARY ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
I am pleased to inform you that a search committee has been formed for the purpose of selecting the next president of United Theological Seminary. The members of the committee are:

• Rev. Carolyn Hendrixson ‘99, trustee and search committee chairperson
• Mr. Douglas Baker, trustee
• Dr. Mary Bednarowski, trustee and emerita professor
• Dr. Joe Bush, trustee and faculty representative
• Dr. Herbert Perkins, student representative
• Dr. Carolyn Pressler, trustee and faculty representative
• Ms. Kathleen Remund, staff representative
• Rev. John Ross, trustee
• Ms. Sharon Ryan, trustee
• Mr. Frank Sims, trustee
• Dr. Rick Heydinger, ex-officio
• Ms. Gretchen Milloy, committee support

The committee is just beginning its work. As the process unfolds, there will be regular postings to the United community. This is an exciting time for the seminary as we plan our future, and we solicit your support and prayers for the work of the search committee.

Rick Heydinger, chair of the board

U.C.C. MIDWEST REGIONAL SEMINARIAN GATHERING
If you are a United Church of Christ student in the M.Div. program, this year presents you a fabulous opportunity that comes around only once in three years. October 3-5 the Midwest Seminarian Gathering will meet at the U.C.C. national offices in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a terrific opportunity to meet U.C.C. national staff and other seminarians who in a few years will be your peers in ministry in the U.C.C. Hear from John Thomas, and attend great worship and workshops on practical resources to support your ministry. For a registration fee of $100, and requesting a supporting $100 contribution from the association where you are “in care” you can attend with airfare, hotel and meal expenses completely covered. The registration deadline is August 15, but there are only 40 places available for the whole Midwest, so register early! Watch for a brochure and registration form in your campus mailbox. For registration questions contact Kathleen Sattler at sattlerk@ucc.org. For more information contact Lynn Bujnak, Minister for Vocation and Formation at bujnakl@ucc.org or 1-866-822-8224 x3841 (toll-free). United Seminary will subsidize $50 of the registration fee for the first 10 students who request the subsidy. Contact Richard Weis for further details about the subsidy.

SPRING BANQUET
PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
Friday May 16, 6:00 pm
It's not too late to RSVP! Please contact Vi Keller by email, or call 651.255.6161 today. We need to give the caterers our number of expected guests soon.

Join the United community as we gather on Friday, May 16 at 6:00 pm in the library court for the annual Spring Banquet to celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates. There will be a moment of recognition for each graduate present and we will award academic prizes. There will be good food, good music and good conversation for all. Special activities are provided for children who do not want to sit through the program. There is no charge for graduates. Otherwise, the cost is $17.00 for adults, $10.00 for children 10 and under, children under 2 are free. SEC has graciously made funds available to pay for a limited number of reservations of graduates’ family members. These scholarships are available on the basis of “one per graduate; first come, first served.” Please let Vi know you are interested in a scholarship when you make your reservation.

COMMUNITY LUNCH
Please join us in the Context Café for the last community lunch of the spring term on Thursday, May 15. Lunch is served from 11:45 am till 1:00 pm. The menu will be baked potato bar, salad, dessert and beverage for $7.00.

LET’S SAVE SOME ENERGY
BY TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS!
It would be a great earth habit to be aware of whether a light is on because we really need it NOW, instead of ‘needed it before and forgot to turn it off’ or ‘might need it later.’ Even if you’ve made the switch to compact fluorescents, turn ‘em off:

But doesn't it take more energy to start up the light than it does to run the lamp for several minutes? In a word: No. It is true that fluorescent lamps draw an inrush current that is five times greater than the operating current. However, the initial surge of a rapid start lamp lasts for only 1/120th of a second. So, you have to turn the lamp off for only one second to save the same amount of energy used to start it up again.

This article originally appeared in Efficiency By Design, Fall 1998. Brought to you by the UTS Go Green Task Force in hopes of partnering with the entire UTS community. Logo © by Dale Dobias.

GREAT NEW COURSE FOR THIS JUNE
We have just added TR409 God/Self/World: The Relational Theologies of Process and Feminism. This new Women’s Studies elective is also a great opportunity to do further work with process theology. It’s taught by Jeanyne Slettom, a United alumna who earned her Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University. Jeanyne received rave reviews when she taught at United several years ago. The course will be offered 1:00-4:15 pm Monday through Friday, June 9-20. Here’s a description of the course: Feminist and process theologies are both relational theologies that emphasize experience, freedom, and the intrinsic value of all beings. Each rejects the dualistic and hierarchical cosmology that has dominated Western thought, and each affirms an organic, dynamic, interdependent and interrelational model of God, self, and the world. The course explores this alternate vision as developed by process-feminist theologians. No previous background in process theology necessary.

Prof. Jeanyne Slettom (Phd, Claremont Graduate University; MDiv, United Seminary) has been an adjunct professor of theology at Claremont School of Theology (CST) and UTS. She is managing director of Process & Faith, an academic center of CST, and managing editor of Process Studies, the journal of the Center for Process Studies. She is an ordained UCC pastor and serves part-time at Brea Congregational UCC. She is the editor of The Process Perspective, by John B. Cobb, and her process-feminist liturgies have been published in Before the Amen: Creative Resources for Worship, by Maren Tirabassi and Maria Tirabassi, and the journal Creative Transformation.

2008 SUMMBER GLOBAL JUSTICE COURSE
CS746 Global Encounters on Our Doorstep
The class will meet from 8:45-12:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from June 2 through 20 except for Tuesday, June 11, and Thursday, June 19, when the course will not meet. In addition, the course will spend the first weekend, June 6-8, at Shalom Hill Farm in Windom, Minnesota. There is a $300 fee for the course in addition to the normal tuition charges. A course description can be found in the Summer Registration Bulletin in your mail boxes or on the Web site. If you have any questions, please drop by my office, give me a call (651-255-6120) or send me an e-mail. Susan Hastings, Registrar.

REGISTRATION BULLETINS HAVE ARRIVED!
You’ll find an updated version of the 2007-08 Summer Term Registration Bulletin in your mail boxes. You can also find it (and other interesting stuff) on the Registrar’s Page of the Web site.

The 1st edition of the 2008-09 Registration Bulletin are in student boxes or click here.

Both Registration Bulletins include a Registration Form and list the due date for registrations each term. If you have any questions, please drop by my office, give me a call (651-255-6120), or send me an e-mail. Susan Hastings, Registrar

NEWS FROM SPENCER LIBRARY
The library reminds all term borrowers that all library materials are due by 5:00 pm Friday, May 16, unless extended loans are approved by one of the librarians. After May 16 each unreturned item will be assumed lost and billed to your seminary account at the rate of $35.00 per item (of which $5.00 per item is a non-refundable processing fee). As with the IRS, file your requests for extended loans with the library staff BEFORE the due date. Thanks for your cooperation with this annual ritual.
Job Descriptions and Application forms for Library Student Staff positions for next Fall are available at the circulation desk. It's a great way to get to know the library and your fellow students better.

GRADUATION NEWS

2008 COMMENCEMENT
Sunday, May 18, 3:00 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church
1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis

FROM THE LIBRARY TO THOSE HOPING TO GRADUATE: THE END IS COMING (Congratulations!)
ALL GRADUATES’ LIBRARY MATERIALS ARE DUE BY 5:00 PM FRIDAY, MAY 9.
We respectfully remind you that DIPLOMAS will be handed only to those who have returned all library materials (to UTS and to other Consortium Libraries). Please keep your ID cards if you plan to continue using the library as alum borrowers (We hope you will!). We will automatically change your status, and after Commencement you will be able to check out materials on a 6-week basis.

STAFFORD LOAN EXIT COUNSELING FOR GRADUATES
If you are graduating in May and have borrowed a federal Stafford student loan while attending United Seminary, you must schedule an appointment with Michelle Turnau, Director of Financial Aid prior or shortly after graduation for your exit counseling. This is a federal regulation that you receive this information from the school. The appointment will last approximately 15 minutes and we will discuss your loan debt, repayment options and answer any questions you may have about your student loans. You can contact Michelle at 651-255-6117 or mturnau@unitedseminary.edu.

CHAPEL NOTES

Following the Path of the Labyrinth “Opening our Eyes, Our Thoughts, Our Journey” Join us at Chapel at 11:35 am on Tuesday May 13 for a Ritual of Meditation, Insight, Reflection and Joy! The End of the Semester & New Beginnings Walk Quietly in Meditation Walk Peacefully Seeking Answers Walk Joyfully Giving Thanks Walk in Celebration Walk in Acknowledgement The Labyrinth at United Theological Seminary will be in Bigelow Chapel from the evening of Monday, May 12 through the evening of Wednesday May 14. Please feel free to enjoy the path in solitude. Farewell to Seniors Graduates are encouraged to attend Chapel on Thursday, May 15 at 11:35 am for a special "Farewell to Seniors"

RELIGION AND THE ARTS

SUMMER INSTITUTE IN SPIRITUALITY AND THE ARTS Do Something Creative This Summer!
Explorations in Creativity, Worship, and Faith
June 9-13, 2008
The Summer Institute in Spirituality and the Arts provides a place to expand our awareness and knowledge about the intersections of art and religion. Participants are offered an opportunity to explore those intersections in their personal lives and faith communities. Different tracks provide tools for spiritual growth, personal reflection, and congregational renewal. Participants will leave refreshed for their work in the world through creative encounters with leaders, each other, and the Holy.
Daily Schedule
Details
Cost/CEUs/Credit Registration

WORKSHOP ASSISTANT – SUMMER INSTITUTE IN SPIRITUALITY AND THE ARTS
We are looking for students who would like to register as workshop assistants during the Summer Institute, June 9-13. Duties include tasks such as helping the instructor(s) with things like copies, moving chairs, etc. It is a minimal time commitment (15-30 min/day) that allows you to register for the event at a significant discount. If you are interested in being a workshop assistant, please contact Cindi Beth Johnson at 651.255.6137 or cbjohnson@unitedseminary.edu. It is a wonderful and creative week, and I hope you can join us. For more info on the Institute, go to www.unitedseminary.edu/summerinstitute/index.asp.

SEEKING THE FACE OF CHRIST IN RUSSIA:
An Experiential Pilgrimage
January 12-23, 2008
A pilgrimage in spiritual formation through study and dialogue with Iconography and art.
Leaders: Richard Sheerer and Debra Korluka

Learn more about the Pilgrimage: Brochures are available in the Spencer Library near the Spiritual Treasures exhibition or see Richard Sheerer, during Convocation, Wednesday, 8:30-9:00 or 2:30-3:00, Spencer Library Gallery.

Sponsored by Icon Art Studios, Inc. and
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

CHOIR NOTES
UTS choir will not rehearse this Tuesday, May 13.

We will sing for Commencement Communion Service in Bigelow Chapel on Saturday, May 17, at 5:00 pm. Warm-up that day is 4:15 pm.

We will sing for Commencement on Sunday, May 18, at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Rehearsal is at 1:30 pm in the sanctuary (which gives graduates time for picture taking and robing) and the service is at 3:00 pm.

Thank you, UTS choir members, for your wonderful music making and worship leadership this year.