130 participants from as far away as Korea joined the July 1, 2020 Unification Theological Seminary webinar entitled “Mother of Peace: Lessons in Leadership and Gratitude.” The webinar explored this theme through the prism of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon’s memoir, Mother of Peace, which was published on May 25, 2020 and is now available through Amazon. The program was well moderated by Mrs. Alexa Ward, Director of the United Nations Office New York and Chief Administrative Officer of Women’s Federation for World Peace International. Mrs. Ward is also doing graduate study at UTS. The webinar’s...

Thomas J. Ward, UTS Professor of Peace and Development, was among the academics who presented a paper at the annual conference of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS). The ACUNS 2020 conference was conducted virtually from June 25 to June 27 through the good offices of its headquarters at the Center for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University in the United Kingdom. This year’s theme was “UN @ 75: The Future of Partnership and Multilateralism,” The Conference included more than 300 presentations from university professors and researchers, as well as...

In its early years, UTS sponsored numerous “theologian’s conferences” which brought its students into dialogue with mainstream scholars. This led to the establishment of new organization such as the New Ecumenical Research Association (New ERA), the International Religious Foundation (IRF), the Youth Seminar on World Religions and others. It also generated more than twenty volumes on various aspects of Unification theology and practice. Under the leadership of President Dr. Thomas Ward, the Seminary is seeking to restart that tradition. On June 18, UTS sponsored a webinar, “Passing the...

Due to the current pandemic restrictions, the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) hosted its very first Virtual Open House on Saturday, June 13, 2020. More than 70 attendees participated with the intention to discover what UTS offers. In the comfort of everyone’s homes, UTS staff and faculty, alumni, current and prospective students gathered online for a new experience that engaged people from all across the nation and world. At the UTS Virtual Open House, Ms. Joy Theriot, Senior Admissions Counselor greeted all the virtual online attendees and introduced the emcees, Ms. Christina...

On Sunday, May 31, 2020, Professor William Lay, Director of the University of Bridgeport’s School of Public and International Affairs, organized a virtual convocation of his students to reflect on the inhumane and brutal killing of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police force. I felt fortunate to be among those who participated. Professor Lay explained that he felt called to gather the students due to his additional charge as Chair of the School’s Criminal Justice and Human Security program because students in that program are planning careers in law enforcement. The...

The Seminary’s 44th annual commencement exercises for the UTS Class of 2020 were unique and unprecedented. With the world suffering through a global pandemic due to COVID-19, UTS conducted a virtual graduation for its nineteen M.R.E., M.A., M.Div. and D.Min. graduates. More than 150 “devices” were in attendance representing many more families and friends who logged on to share the graduates’ joy in completing their degrees. Dr. Christine Hempowicz, Vice-Chair of the UTS Board of Trustees, served as MC. Ms. Carla Mongado, a UTS M.A. student and musical theatre performer, sang the...

Dr. Ki Hoon Kim’s Commencement Address to the Unification Theological Seminary Class of 2020. Congratulations to the UTS class of 2020, and congratulations to our Unification Theological Seminary on its 44rd commencement ceremony! As a fellow UTS graduate, it is my honor to recognize the Class of 2020 and to express appreciation to Father and Mother Moon, our Founders, for having made the bold decision to create this institution in 1975 both to train Unification leaders and to enhance dialogue with the Christian community of faith and other believers. Our graduation this...

A Heart Made Whole by Farley Jones Farley Jones numbers among the earliest American followers of Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han. An alumnus of Unification Theological Seminary, he served as President of the Unification Church, as Chairman of the UTS Board of Trustees, and as a long-time Trustee of the Church in the United States. He has recently authored a spiritual autobiography entitled A Heart Made Whole that provides an open window into the early Unification Church movement. Readers, regardless of their religious beliefs, will find that this book recounts a sincere,...

New York – In the fifth UTS Faculty Roundtable Series, Dr. Theodore Shimmyo underscored Unification Christology as a Christology of “the real unity of God and the historical Jesus,” which is largely echoed by the insights of German theologian and Protestant movement catalyst, Martin Luther. Seventy-five participants joined the one-hour online presentation on April 28, 2020 moderated by UTS Academic Dean Dr. Keisuke Noda. Dr. Shimmyo opened his lecture by indicating his passion for Christian theology, including the areas of the Trinity and Christology. He is Professor Emeritus...