America, a nation conceived in liberty and justice, was built on the foundation of Judeo-Christian principles that, to this day, serve as guiding lights in our nation’s hope for tomorrow. Our founding fathers were men of deep and abiding faith who understood God’s providential course in forging a nascent nation out of dangling and disjointed colonies. In their growing dissatisfaction over England’s tightfisted control and unyielding monopoly over their lives in local governmental affairs, coupled with an unquenchable thirst for independence, a band of God-fearing men coalesced...

… Flyfishing is a certifiable addiction.Not sure if it is being in nature, escaping from daily duties, or the thrill of catching a big fish. Sometimes it is the anticipation of catching a nice fish that can spur one on. Some fishermen feel the whole preparation for the trip, preparing all the gear, and tying flies for the big event are as much fun as actually getting out and fishing the water. Others want only to be on the water and prepare only as much as absolutely necessary as to maximize the time on the water and learning from the fish. Living two blocks from a very fishable...

The dear home faces whereupon That fitful firelight paled and shone Henceforward, listen as we will The voices of that hearth are still.“    John Greenleaf Whittier – “Snowbound” Another year has completed its great cycle, another year that seemed so vast at its inception has played itself out! Time to think once more of time’s passage with all its gifts and losses… About a month ago I found myself in the Abington High School Library with two prep periods and nothing to prepare, so I pulled a book from the literature shelves on American poetry and opened to John...

This week, members of the administration, faculty, and staff of UTS, Barrytown gathered in the Founders’ dining room for a holiday meal together. However, it was not a meal, it was a banquet!! UTS Hospitality (Kate Korda, UTS’10) simply surprised everyone with a delightfully prepared table: the table settings, the silverware (+ chopsticks), and stemware. The meal: soup, bulgogi, kimchee, rice, chap chae, desserts. All lovingly prepared by Reiko Mickler. [She and I are already discussing making this the menu for next year’s UTS Golf Tournament!] The conversations were varied and...

Carol Pobanz (UTS’80) is on a life path where she fuses art and religion. She says, “Having degrees in both art and religious education it has always been my desire to develop activities combining the two fields of interest.” Carol Pobanz (UTS’80) earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at the Philadelphia College of Art (currently the University of the Arts) and her Master of Religious Education (MRE) at Unification Theological Seminary (UTS). Carol concurs with Rev. Moon’s words: “People often think that politics moves the world, but that is not the case. It is culture and the arts...

Martin Meijer Ph.D. (UTS’91): Dear Friend, I am very proud and happy to let you know that, after more than four years of work, “People Who Choose the Unification Church” was published, in Korean, “통일교를선택한 사람들.” All the essential Unification ideas are creatively explained so that they are comprehensible for people who are not church members. The book’s twelve chapters cover: “The masterpiece of love”; “Eve’s apple and Natasha’s snake”; “The suffering of God”; “Jesus’ marriage”; “True Parents for humanity”; “The power of woman”; “Breaking love’s glass ceiling”;...

Misconceptions help to explain why current strategies aren’t working. By Jo Ann Deasy and Chris Meinzer Myth #1—Students feel high debt loads are unmanageable. Myth #2—Higher tuition discounting through scholarship aid has the greatest impact on reducing educational debt. For the last several decades, theological schools, denominations, and congregations have become increasingly concerned about educational debt among seminary graduates and its potential negative impact on their abilities to serve in ministry. Some theological schools have sought to rectify the situation...

UTS president Dr. Hugh Spurgin, the administration, the faculty, and the staff, all wish you Joy and Happiness in this Holiday Season and hope that you receive God’s abundant blessings throughout all of 2016. UTS is Celebrating its 40th Year of Theological Education 1975-2015 The Unification Theological Seminary offers educational programs in an interfaith context, which cultivate the heart, mind and spirit; bridge religious and cultural divides; promote leadership, service and engagement with the world; and provide tools for success in ministry and professional life. UTS...

The Journal of Unification Studies, a journal of the Unification Theological Seminary, is a forum for committed engagement with Unification theology and practice, addressing concerns of the theological community and the professional ministry. To clarify foundational issues in Unification theology, Journal of Unification Studies welcomes commentary and critical studies of texts and doctrines, as well as historical studies of the Unification Church and the life of its founder. To promote dialogue and understanding, it invites papers from diverse viewpoints which engage Unificationist...