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The Center for Public Ministry
Advancing the art of social justice ministry |
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The Center for Public Ministry is dedicated to equipping the church to be a powerful and sustained force for social justice.
Interested
in participating
or want to know more?
Contact
Steve Newcom
Director
651.255.6139 |
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About Us |
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History:
Between 2007 and 2010, founding director Steve Newcom researched the state of theological education and social justice ministry in mainline Protestant seminaries. Though a strong affirmation of the centrality of social justice in the life and mission of the church was recognized, significant gaps existed. Most seminaries lacked courses that equip students for leadership in social justice ministry, organizing frameworks, and a curriculum that facilitates student integration of social justice imperatives.
Typology:
To address these gaps, Steve developed a public ministry typology to provide an organizing framework to advance the body of knowledge and practice of social justice ministry. The typology reflects a paradigm shift: from issues to strategies and from knowledge to competencies.
Shifting the conceptual framework of social justice expands the focus to include “how” and moves into the realm of practical theology. The typology provides a framework for organizing and advancing a body of knowledge and body of practice for doing public ministry.
Program Priorities:
The Center for Public Ministry serves as a catalyst to expand and deepen social justice education at United Theological Seminary, increase the public voice and effectiveness of local and regional religious bodies, and advance public ministry as a practical theological discipline within seminary education through:
Education & Capacity Building, which addresses important social issues in ways that highlight the strategic and practical skills required for effective and sustained social justice ministry.
Action Research of academic literature and practitioner knowledge to identify best practices and core competencies and integrate this within a Public Ministry strategy and leadership framework.
Movement Building across diverse communities (faith, identity, social, political, etc.) that builds power and strengthens the progressive voice.
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What’s Happening
What’s Happened
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Clergy Training in Pastoral Care for Reproductive Health & Loss
Wednesday, March 6
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Are you a clergy person, or do you know someone who might be interested in this compassionate and life-saving work? Join us for this training which will prepare clergy to respond to calls from women who are facing the health care decision of whether or not to continue a pregnancy, along with related training in Reproductive Loss Counseling.
Trainers include Rev. Eily Marlow, Rev. Walter Lockhart, Rev. Sheryl Lyndes Stowman, and the executive director of the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (MNRCRC), United alum Kelli Clement (M.Div. '10). Training includes a tour of a women's clinic, role play, ritual, and excellent take-away resources. The training is free, and lunch will be provided.
Space is limited and registration is required. To register or for more information, email Kelli at execdir@mnrcrc.org or call 612.870.0974.
Location:
Planned Parenthood
St. Paul, MN
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40 Days of Prophetic Vigil Launch
Tuesday, February 12
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Join people of faith to declare our mission for 2013 with the governor and the new legislative leadership. We will present our Prophetic Agenda for Putting People First and declare the Signs of Our Times, Our Prophetic Call and Our Witness.
Location:
Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill
105 University Ave W
St. Paul, MN
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Freedom to Marry Day Rally
with Minnesotans United
Thursday, February 14
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Organized by Minnesotans United, the Freedom to Marry Day Rally will be a key first step in working with state legislators to ensure that in 2013, Minnesota state law is changed to reflect our shared belief that loving and committed same-sex couples should have the freedom to marry.
This will be the first time this year that marriage proponents gather at the Capitol. Will you join with hundreds of others in showing legislators that a broad and diverse coalition of Minnesotans support marriage for same-sex couples?
Location:
Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Junior Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155 |
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Staff
Steven Newcom, Director
Steven Newcom, a 1980 United alum, is an ordained minister in the Community of Christ church and the founding director of the Center for Public Ministry, whose mission is to advance the church’s effectiveness as a sustained and powerful force for social justice.
Newcom was awarded an Archibald Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship in 2007-2009 to research the intersection of theological education and social justice ministry. Prior to founding the Center, Steve served for 18 years as executive director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice. Prior to that, he worked for the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Since 1995, he has been an adjunct professor in the Philanthropy and Development Graduate School of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, teaching organization leadership and management.
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Aaron Lauer, Research Associate
Aaron graduated from United in 2010 with an M.A.
in Religion and Theology. A native Nebraskan, Aaron grew up with a deep interest in politics, history, and religion, and sees the work of the Center as important in advancing the church’s role in orchestrating social change. He is the minister to children, youth, and families at First Congregational Church of Minnesota and enjoys reading, exercising, and indie rock music.
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Cecilia Runge, Program and Administration Associate
Cecilia is an M.Div. student at United with concentrations in Pastoral Care & Counseling and Justice & Peace Studies. Cecilia is an active member of campus life and serves as the student body moderator. She is invested in the fight for LGBT equality and currently volunteers with the Marriage Equality Campaign in Minnesota. Cecilia is the minister for children and youth at Linden Hills United Church of Christ and is a member in discernment of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ. Cecilia is thrilled to be a part of the Center for Public Ministry, where she studies what makes social justice ministry successful and how to equip the church to be a powerful and sustained force for social justice.
She believes the Center is currently the most cutting-edge thing happening at United. Cecilia enjoys singing, cooking, and spending time with her fiancé.
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Pamela Cook, Research Associate
Pamela Cook is an M.Div. student at United. She has a J.D. from Emory University and has nearly completed
her Ph.D. work at the University of Chicago. While in Chicago, Pamela joined
Trinity United Church of Christ, where she first embraced her call to ministry.
She is on track to graduate in 2014 and plans to serve in parish ministry,
college chaplaincy, and new church planning.
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The Center
for Public Ministry
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