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United Lutheran Seminary

United Lutheran Seminary  

The Rev. Dr. Angela Zimmann, interim president​

Our Work

In our third year of raising up leaders for the church and world, United Lutheran Seminary is building on our rich heritage while faithfully educating future church leaders. We are grateful for the wisdom and ministry that the former Interim President, Dr. Richard Green, brought to our school during the past year. We are blessed with over 350 students from over 28 denominations who learn and live on two campuses and all over the world. We celebrate the gifts of our faculty as they teach and converse with our students, equipping them for the work of ministry in a myriad of contexts. This spring, we conferred degrees on 70 students, of which 47 were Masters of Divinity or Masters of Arts in Ministerial Leadership recipients. In addition, 14 students received certification from the Urban Theological Institute. Other degree programs included the Doctor of Ministry, Master in Public Leadership, and Master of Sacred Theology.

Our financial picture is hopeful. The ULS endowment is strong thanks to the legacy gifts and contributions of saints past and present. Because of this, we are able to offer a maximum of full tuition for all degree-seeking students. Our annual fund goals are aspirational, yet we are continuously amazed by the generosity and passion of seminary supporters.

Much of our annual operating funding comes through direct synodical support. In the last fiscal year, over $1.2 M was received from the fourteen synods of ELCA Regions 7 & 8. This is a significant portion of how we provide for every student, every day. Individual congregations have also made significant contributions. In the last fiscal year, 219 congregations gave a total of

$147,305.00 in support of theological education. Funds went to our food pantries, libraries, worship facilities, and other areas to enhance the faith formation of all students.

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We Are Church Together

As we move into the next academic year, United Lutheran Seminary is filled with a deep sense of humility and gratitude for the great crowd of witnesses who make Lutheran theological education possible here in the Northeastern United States. Thank you for your partnership and prayers.

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Get Involved!

This year, we want to continue lifting up and celebrating those congregations that are already contributing to the ULS scholarship and general fund on a regular basis, and extend a special invitation to your congregation to join in the ranks of those who support us through prayers and gifts. Through the United Partner Initiative, your congregation can journey with seminary students as they experience faith formation, learning, and finding their own unique way to answer God’s call for them in a broken world. Information about this new initiative is available at www.uls.edu/UnitedPartners or by speaking to the representative from ULS at the assembly.

What do United Partners gain?

  • Invitations to an annual summit of partners with the President and Cabinet on either campus
  • Periodic zoom meetings to share information and ideas with the Director of Church Relations
  • Discounts on overnights at campus facilities and lifelong learning opportunities
  • Visits from guest preachers associated with United Lutheran Seminary (subject to availability)
  • A partnership certificate, Advent Star, Lenten Devotionals, etc.

What does ULS gain?

  • A better understanding of the congregations for whom we seek to provide rostered leadership
  • A possible resource/think tank of people from different walks of life who have a passion for the church and its ministry in the world
  • Monthly financial contributions from member congregations

How do congregations determine their contribution?

Partner monthly gifts are determined by the church’s weekly attendance. Thrivent members are also able to allocate their Thrivent Choice dollars for this program.

  • 0 – 50: $25 - $50
  • 50 – 100: $50 - $100
  • 100 – 150: $75 - $150
  • 150 – 200: $100 - $200
  • 200 +: $200 - $500

I hope that as a representative from your congregation, you will prayerfully consider sharing this second mile giving information with your church council. Folks from the advancement team at ULS are available to zoom conference with your church council, and a YouTube video about the program is available from the web page. We already have over 70 congregations from all over ELCA Regions 7 & 8 that are actively partnering with us. A “United Partner Press Packet” is available by request. Please join us on the journey!

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