BARRYTOWN, NY – In the midst of their workshop being held at the Unification Theology Seminary (UTS) in upstate New York, members of Generation Peace Academy (GPA) were alternately enthralled and entertained by a speaker who happily recounted his numerous experiences with the Seminary’s founder, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, and the wisdom received from him. The speaker, Tom Bowers, a 1981 graduate of UTS and the librarian there from 1995-2000, delighted the crowd as he spoke of the many times he was privileged to be with the man he proudly and affectionately called “Father.” Tom, a...

Dr. Abdou Gaye earned his Doctor of Ministry with a dissertation on “Introducing the Holy Marriage Blessing to Muslims: Testing a Quranic Approach”. His spiritual (and academic) journey has been tempestuous. The following excerpts are adapted from an article by Jones Iziomo which give us some insights into his life beginning in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Abderrahmane “Abdou” Gaye is the second son of nine children from a strong Moslem family. The name Abderrahmane (pronounced in its short form as Abdou) means “the servant of the Merciful.” Mauritania is a...

In 1975 UTS was founded in Barrytown, NY by Reverend and Mrs. Moon, who are often warmly called “True Parents, or True Father and True Mother” by UTS alumni and friends of UTS. The following year of 1976 was another pivotal year in the Founders’ work in America. On June 1, 1976 there was the “God Bless America” rally at Yankee Stadium where Reverend Moon gave the bold and historic declaration that “America is God’s Hope” in front of  45,000 people. Reverend Moon declared that America would only be able to keep God’s blessing as an advanced country if she remained united with...

At the Saturday, May 28 commencement ceremony in Barrytown, NY, Dr. Hugh Spurgin, president of UTS, conferred  a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree on Idris Ena Kone.  Idris, or Drissa as he is affectionately called, is one of six graduates who received a D.Min. degree in 2016. Originally from the Ivory Coast, “Drissa” wrote his dissertation on “The Practice of Active Listening in Managing Cross-Cultural Conflict: A Case Study of the Ivorian Diaspora in New York”. The consul general of the Ivory Coast came to the graduation in recognition of Drissa’s academic and...

The 40th commencement, held at UTS Barrytown on Saturday May 28 once again showed the diversity of UTS students and their commitment to use their UTS education to be of service to others. The Poughkeepsie Journal reported on the graduation and the many nationalities of the students. Dr. Michael Balcomb, chair of the Board of Trustees and president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, USA, shared his optimism for the Class of 2016.

Every couple of months UTS Communications brings our readers news from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to give insights into some broader issues facing seminaries: theological education, relationship with congregations and stakeholders, and engagement with the wider public too. We hope you find this background information useful. In this article the topic is partnership. As UTS faces its own financial challenges, there may be some useful ideas to glean and act upon. I hope the article from ATS provides inspiration and that God can partner with us to reveal interesting new...

BARRYTOWN, NY – On Saturday, May 28, 2016, an unseasonably warm spring day, the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) held its 40th commencement ceremonies in the chapel at its main campus in Barrytown, NY, overlooking the majestic Hudson River. There was a standing-room only crowd of nearly 200 hearty souls, many of whom who came by car and bus from New York City, New Jersey, and Maryland, with some guests from as far away as Atlanta, Toronto, and Vancouver. The Ivorian Consul General (New York) attended, representing the Ivory Coast government to honor graduate, Dr. Idris...

Let me assure you that, contrary to a rumor being circulated, Barrytown campus has NOT BEEN SOLD. However, it is clear that the current status of the Barrytown campus is not sustainable. The future of the campus has been under study for 15 years in an effort to explore options for long-term sustainability. It costs a huge amount of money to maintain buildings and grounds…. more than $600,000 per year. Additional money has also been needed for capital improvements required by New York State. These costs fall fully on the shoulders of the larger movement. Income from conferences and...

At the end of May the online course DIVINE NEW YORK- How Religions have shaped the Greatest City in the World will be available. Though designed for a wide audience, this example of course creation and social media marketing can also be seen in the context of entrepreneurial ministry. Entrepreneurial ministry is an area of study that UTS is researching, to better serve the needs of UTS students as they pursue their vocational goals. Skills and resources that are needed to lead customized and innovative programs in the field are at the heart of entrepreneurial ministry. Mastering the...