TH6.1: Union, the Light of the World
Student Senate Note
BY SETH PICKENS
What is Union all about, anyway? Academic rigor? Leadership? Social Justice? We stand for all these things and more. The people who started the school may have envisioned something else as well; not that they were opposed to any of the aforementioned ideals. What they had in mind is one of the first things we see when we enter the lobby, it is occasionally mentioned in chapel, and it is even emblazoned on the doorknobs of the classrooms. Right in the middle of the seminary’s seal we find the letters “IHC XPC,” an old way of saying Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the reason for Union Theological Seminary. Scared? You shouldn’t be.
At the first Student Senate meeting of the year, the members present established three priorities for this school year. The first was to provide hurricane relief and other humanitarian aid on behalf of the student body. This reminds me of Jesus’ teaching, “whatever you did for one of the least of [my brothers and sisters], you did for me.” The second priority was to continue our notorious racialization discussions. This year, we hope to go beyond talking and get to know each another informally across so-called color lines. After all, Jesus did say “love your neighbor as yourself.” Third, we hope to address issues that will make the space as physically comfortable as possible for the students. Remember, Jesus taught them, saying, “The Realm of God is at hand.” That means that our school is heaven, or at least it can be if we work at it. Together, we can form a more perfect Union: a place to live, learn, and love – in Jesus’ name!
Seth Pickens is a third-year MDiv and co-chair of the Student Senate. [This is the first of a monthly note from elected leaders of the student body. – Eds.]
BY SETH PICKENS
What is Union all about, anyway? Academic rigor? Leadership? Social Justice? We stand for all these things and more. The people who started the school may have envisioned something else as well; not that they were opposed to any of the aforementioned ideals. What they had in mind is one of the first things we see when we enter the lobby, it is occasionally mentioned in chapel, and it is even emblazoned on the doorknobs of the classrooms. Right in the middle of the seminary’s seal we find the letters “IHC XPC,” an old way of saying Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the reason for Union Theological Seminary. Scared? You shouldn’t be.
At the first Student Senate meeting of the year, the members present established three priorities for this school year. The first was to provide hurricane relief and other humanitarian aid on behalf of the student body. This reminds me of Jesus’ teaching, “whatever you did for one of the least of [my brothers and sisters], you did for me.” The second priority was to continue our notorious racialization discussions. This year, we hope to go beyond talking and get to know each another informally across so-called color lines. After all, Jesus did say “love your neighbor as yourself.” Third, we hope to address issues that will make the space as physically comfortable as possible for the students. Remember, Jesus taught them, saying, “The Realm of God is at hand.” That means that our school is heaven, or at least it can be if we work at it. Together, we can form a more perfect Union: a place to live, learn, and love – in Jesus’ name!
Seth Pickens is a third-year MDiv and co-chair of the Student Senate. [This is the first of a monthly note from elected leaders of the student body. – Eds.]
posted by JP at 8:13 AM
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