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{{Short description|Unitarian Universalist seminary in Berkeley, California}}
{{Short description|Unitarian Universalist seminary in Berkeley, California}}
{{Advert|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
|name = Starr King School for the Ministry
| name = Starr King School for the Ministry
|native_name =
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|established = 1904
| established = 1904
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|type = [[Graduate school|Graduate]] [[theology|theological]] [[seminary]]
| type = [[Graduate school|Graduate]] [[theology|theological]] [[seminary]]
|religious_affiliation = [[Unitarian Universalist Association]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Unitarian Universalist Association]]
|affiliations = [[Graduate Theological Union]]
| affiliations =
|endowment =
| endowment =
|officer_in_charge =
| officer_in_charge =
|chairman =
| chairman =
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| chancellor =
|president = Rosemary Bray McNatt
| president = Rosemary Bray McNatt
|vice-president =
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| provost =
|provost =
| vice_chancellor =
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| dean = [[Gabriella Lettini]]
|dean = [[Gabriella Lettini]]
| director =
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| students = 85
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| city = [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]
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| state = [[California]]
|city = [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]]
| province =
|state = [[California]]
| country = United States
⚫
| coor = {{coord|37.877015|-122.261859|display=inline,title}}
⚫
|province =
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| former_names = Starr King School for Religious Leadership, Pacific Unitarian School for the Ministry
⚫
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| website = [https://www.sksm.edu www.sksm.edu]
|nickname = Holy Hill, GTU
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|website = [https://www.sksm.edu www.sksm.edu]
| footnotes =
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'''Starr King School for the Ministry''' is a [[Unitarian Universalist]] [[seminary]] in [[Berkeley, California]]. It is a member of the [[Graduate Theological Union]] (GTU) and is affiliated with the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. The seminary was formed in 1904 to educate leaders for the growing number of progressive religious communities in the western part of the country. The school emphasises the practical skills of religious leadership. Today, it educates [[Unitarian Universalist]] ministers, religious educators, and spiritual activists, as well as progressive religious leaders from a variety of traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, earth-centered traditions, and others.
'''Starr King School for the Ministry''' is a [[Unitarian Universalist]] [[seminary]] in [[Oakland, California]]. The seminary was formed in 1904 to educate leaders for the growing number of progressive religious communities in the western part of the US. The school emphasizes the practical skills of religious leadership. Today, it educates [[Unitarian Universalist]] ministers, religious educators, and spiritual activists, as well as progressive religious leaders from a variety of traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, earth-centered traditions, and others.


==History==
==History==
Starr King School for the Ministry opened in 1904 as the '''Pacific Unitarian School for the Ministry'''. With most [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] ministers being educated at [[Harvard Divinity School]] in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and [[Meadville Lombard Theological School|Meadville Theological School]] in Meadville, Pennsylvania, the new seminary would meet the need to train religious leaders serving the progressive churches west of the Rocky Mountains. The school held its first classes at the [[First Unitarian Church of Oakland]], moving just a few years later to the [[City of Berkeley]] to be closer to other "Holy Hill" seminaries and the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. The first president was [[Earl Morse Wilbur]]. In addition to his service to the school for 30 years, he is remembered for writing the first comprehensive histories of European Unitarianism.
Starr King School for the Ministry opened in 1904 as the '''Pacific Unitarian School for the Ministry'''. With most [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] ministers being educated at [[Harvard Divinity School]] in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and [[Meadville Lombard Theological School]] in Chicago, Illinois, the new seminary would meet the need to train religious leaders serving the progressive churches west of the Rocky Mountains. The school held its first classes at the [[First Unitarian Church of Oakland]], moving just a few years later to the [[City of Berkeley]] to be closer to other "Holy Hill" seminaries and the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. The first president was [[Earl Morse Wilbur]]. In addition to his service to the school for 30 years, he is remembered for writing the first comprehensive histories of European Unitarianism.


In 1941, the school changed its name to honor the [[Rev. Thomas Starr King]], minister of the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco. During the Civil War, the popular lecturer and activist spoke zealously in favor of the Union and was credited by [[Abraham Lincoln]] with preventing California from becoming a separate republic. In addition, he organized the Pacific Branch of the [[United States Sanitary Commission]], which cared for wounded soldiers and was the predecessor to the [[American Red Cross]]. King's prominence also contributed greatly to the spread of Unitarianism on the West Coast.
In 1941, the school changed its name to honor the [[Rev. Thomas Starr King]], minister of the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco. During the Civil War, the popular lecturer and activist spoke zealously in favor of the Union and was credited by [[Abraham Lincoln]] with preventing California from becoming a separate republic. In addition, he organized the Pacific Branch of the [[United States Sanitary Commission]], which cared for wounded soldiers and was the predecessor to the [[American Red Cross]]. King's prominence also contributed greatly to the spread of Unitarianism on the West Coast.


In 1962, the "Holy Hill" seminaries officially formed the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), a diverse consortium of what now numbers nine theological seminaries, several research centers, affiliates and institutes. It is the largest theological consortium in the U.S. and its library consolidates the numerous resources of the member schools. Starr King joined the GTU in 1964. From this time up through the mid-1980s the seminary was known as the '''Starr King School for Religious Leadership'''.<ref>Robert Charles Kimball, "Open Letter to Board of Trustees, Unitarian Universalist Association: Concerning January 26, 1974 Progress Report of the Ministerial Education Commission 1974"</ref><ref>David Robinson, ''The Unitarians and the Universalists'', 1985, p. 335</ref>
In 1962, the "Holy Hill" seminaries officially formed the [[Graduate Theological Union]] (GTU). Starr King was a member of the GTU from 1964 until 2020. From the 1960s up through the mid-1980s the seminary was known as the '''Starr King School for Religious Leadership'''.<ref>Robert Charles Kimball, "Open Letter to Board of Trustees, Unitarian Universalist Association: Concerning January 26, 1974 Progress Report of the Ministerial Education Commission 1974"</ref><ref>David Robinson, ''The Unitarians and the Universalists'', 1985, p. 335</ref>


When Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker became President of the school in 1990, she was the first woman to serve as the permanent head of an accredited U.S. theological school. She is an ordained minister of the [[United Methodist Church]] with dual fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist Church.<ref>Starr King School for the Ministry Faculty & Staff. Retrieved May 6, 2013. http://www.sksm.edu/faculty/</ref>
When Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker became President of the school in 1990, she was the first woman to serve as the permanent head of an accredited U.S. theological school. She is an ordained minister of the [[United Methodist Church]] with dual fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist Association.<ref>Starr King School for the Ministry Faculty & Staff. Retrieved May 6, 2013. http://www.sksm.edu/faculty/</ref>

===21st century "New Beginning"===
In 2019, the school began a process known as "New Beginnings" to ensure its future sustainability. These steps included selling its building in Berkeley and moving to a new facility in Oakland in 2022, leaving the GTU in 2020, and staff/faculty reductions.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Beginnings FAQs |url=https://www.sksm.edu/about/new-beginnings/new-beginnings-faq/ |website=Star King School for the Ministry |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>


===Presidents===
===Presidents===
* [[Earl Morse Wilbur]] 1904–1931
* [[Earl Morse Wilbur]] 1904–1931
* [[William S. Morgan (Unitarian Universalist)|William Morgan]] (1931–?)
* [[William S. Morgan (Unitarian Universalist)|William Morgan]] (1931–?)
* [[Josiah Bartlett (disambiguation)|Josiah Bartlett]] 1949–1969
* [[Robert C. Kimball]] 1969–1983
* [[Robert C. Kimball]] 1969–1983
* [[Gordon B. McKeeman]] 1983–1988
* [[Gordon B. McKeeman]] 1983–1988
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Starr King School for the Ministry educates people for Unitarian Universalist ministry and for progressive religious leadership in society. Its approach to the study of theology is inspired by Unitarian Universalism's liberal religious values. It is dedicated to providing student-centered, multi-religious, counter-oppressive graduate education that cultivates multi-religious life and learning, and creates just and sustainable communities.
Starr King School for the Ministry educates people for Unitarian Universalist ministry and for progressive religious leadership in society. Its approach to the study of theology is inspired by Unitarian Universalism's liberal religious values. It is dedicated to providing student-centered, multi-religious, counter-oppressive graduate education that cultivates multi-religious life and learning, and creates just and sustainable communities.


The school offers three master's degrees: [[Master of Divinity]] (M.Div.), Master of Arts in for Social Change (M.A.S.C.), and Master of Arts (M.A.) in collaboration with the Graduate Theological Union. It also offers two certificates in Unitarian Universalist Studies and Multi-Religious Studies.
The school offers two master's degrees: [[Master of Divinity]] (M.Div.) and Master of Arts in Social Change (M.A.S.C.). It also offers certificates in Chaplaincy Studies, Unitarian Universalist Studies and Multi-Religious Studies.


The school is accredited by the [[Association of Theological Schools]] (ATS).
The school is accredited by the [[Association of Theological Schools]] (ATS). SKSM is also one of the three GTU member schools offering online classes and it co-sponsors the online courses offered by the Institute for Buddhist Studies, another GTU member school. It is also the only GTU school offering a low-residence Master of Divinity, a program allowing two-thirds of the degree to be earned at a distance through online courses. Residential course requirements may be met through courses at SKSM or other GTU schools, domestic and international immersion courses, or Winter/January or Summer/August intensive courses.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.sksm.edu/ Official website]
* [https://www.sksm.edu/ Official website]


{{Graduate Theological Union}}
{{Graduate Theological Union}}
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[[Category:Unitarian Universalism in California]]
[[Category:Unitarian Universalism in California]]
[[Category:Graduate Theological Union]]
[[Category:Graduate Theological Union]]
[[Category:1904 establishments in California]]

Latest revision as of 19:33, 4 July 2024

Starr King School for the Ministry
Former names
Starr King School for Religious Leadership, Pacific Unitarian School for the Ministry
TypeGraduate theological seminary
Established1904
Religious affiliation
Unitarian Universalist Association
PresidentRosemary Bray McNatt
DeanGabriella Lettini
Students85
Location
Oakland
,
California
,
United States

37°52′37″N 122°15′43″W / 37.877015°N 122.261859°W / 37.877015; -122.261859
Websitewww.sksm.edu

Starr King School for the Ministry is a Unitarian Universalist seminary in Oakland, California. The seminary was formed in 1904 to educate leaders for the growing number of progressive religious communities in the western part of the US. The school emphasizes the practical skills of religious leadership. Today, it educates Unitarian Universalist ministers, religious educators, and spiritual activists, as well as progressive religious leaders from a variety of traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, earth-centered traditions, and others.

History

[edit]

Starr King School for the Ministry opened in 1904 as the Pacific Unitarian School for the Ministry. With most Unitarian ministers being educated at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois, the new seminary would meet the need to train religious leaders serving the progressive churches west of the Rocky Mountains. The school held its first classes at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, moving just a few years later to the City of Berkeley to be closer to other "Holy Hill" seminaries and the University of California, Berkeley. The first president was Earl Morse Wilbur. In addition to his service to the school for 30 years, he is remembered for writing the first comprehensive histories of European Unitarianism.

In 1941, the school changed its name to honor the Rev. Thomas Starr King, minister of the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco. During the Civil War, the popular lecturer and activist spoke zealously in favor of the Union and was credited by Abraham Lincoln with preventing California from becoming a separate republic. In addition, he organized the Pacific Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission, which cared for wounded soldiers and was the predecessor to the American Red Cross. King's prominence also contributed greatly to the spread of Unitarianism on the West Coast.

In 1962, the "Holy Hill" seminaries officially formed the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). Starr King was a member of the GTU from 1964 until 2020. From the 1960s up through the mid-1980s the seminary was known as the Starr King School for Religious Leadership.[1][2]

When Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker became President of the school in 1990, she was the first woman to serve as the permanent head of an accredited U.S. theological school. She is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church with dual fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist Association.[3]

21st century "New Beginning"

[edit]

In 2019, the school began a process known as "New Beginnings" to ensure its future sustainability. These steps included selling its building in Berkeley and moving to a new facility in Oakland in 2022, leaving the GTU in 2020, and staff/faculty reductions.[4]

Presidents

[edit]

Academics

[edit]

Starr King School for the Ministry educates people for Unitarian Universalist ministry and for progressive religious leadership in society. Its approach to the study of theology is inspired by Unitarian Universalism's liberal religious values. It is dedicated to providing student-centered, multi-religious, counter-oppressive graduate education that cultivates multi-religious life and learning, and creates just and sustainable communities.

The school offers two master's degrees: Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Arts in Social Change (M.A.S.C.). It also offers certificates in Chaplaincy Studies, Unitarian Universalist Studies and Multi-Religious Studies.

The school is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robert Charles Kimball, "Open Letter to Board of Trustees, Unitarian Universalist Association: Concerning January 26, 1974 Progress Report of the Ministerial Education Commission 1974"
  2. ^ David Robinson, The Unitarians and the Universalists, 1985, p. 335
  3. ^ Starr King School for the Ministry Faculty & Staff. Retrieved May 6, 2013. http://www.sksm.edu/faculty/
  4. ^ "New Beginnings FAQs". Star King School for the Ministry. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
[edit]
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