The oldest independent multidenominational seminary in the nation, Union Theological Seminary has fostered and supported a commitment to pluralism and ecumenical Christianity since 1836. Union’s mission derives from a heritage that is at once progressive and evangelistic: to educate leaders for ministry in churches and related organizations, to extend the work of social justice and to enrich the academy through teaching and research. Education at Union is deeply rooted in a critical understanding of the breadth of Christian traditions and is significantly instructed by the insights of other faiths. Union’s work is to make and support connections between these religious traditions and the most profoundly challenging issues of contemporary experience: the realities of suffering and injustice, world religious pluralism, the fragility of the planet and discoveries of modern science.

Union will now undertake a strategic process to guide future growth and development, in particular the concrete realization of how UTS can empower women; become more racially just, sexually inclusive, earth-gentle, and antipoverty-focused; and dramatically re-conceive theological education for the 21st century.