Rev. Dr. Serene Jones

We call again, with full moral urgency:
Ceasefire now. End the siege. Let aid in. Release the hostages. Enough.

To be faithful is to act. Let our heartbreak move us to hope, to protest, to solidarity.

#Gaza #EveryLifeIsSacred #InterfaithSolidarity

The images from Gaza — starving children, devastated families — reveal not just a humanitarian emergency, but a moral crisis.

At Union Theological Seminary, we reaffirm: every life is sacred. Every death is a rupture in the body of God.

IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates Since 1954, an IRS rule had barred houses of worship from explicitly endorsing political candidates.

Our faith voice is strongest when it speaks from conviction, not allegiance to partisan ideology.

www.npr.org/2025/07/08/n...

The IRS’s ruling allowing churches to endorse political candidates marks a significant and unfortunate shift. At Union, we believe the public has been well served by tax-exempt religious institutions refraining from participation in partisan political activity.

Please take extra care in this weather as you exercise your right to VOTE. Find your poll site and VOTE. findmypollsite.vote.nyc

Today is Election Day in NYC!

As people of faith and conscience, voting is one powerful way we shape a more just and compassionate society. I urge all New Yorkers to make your voice heard today. Polls are open from 6 AM to 9 PM.

As war escalates, we pray for peace, justice, and the protection of all civilians and those in military service. At Union, we reject the logic of war and call on leaders to choose de-escalation, dialogue, and compassion over violence.

Sotomayor Writes the Court ‘Abandons’ Transgender Children to ‘Political Whims’

At Union, we know children's medical decisions must be made with compassion—by their guardians, doctors and the child—not the state.

Protecting trans youth is a moral and spiritual duty. To our trans students, alumni, and neighbors: you are beloved. Your humanity and dignity are not up for debate.

At Union, we believe that standing up for due process and human dignity is not a crime. We must stand nonviolently against these assaults on the fundamental tenets of our democracy.

Watch Live: Brad Lander, NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate, speaks after arrest by ICE agents NYC Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by ICE agents Tuesday at immigration court in Manhattan.

Today’s arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander by ICE—for simply asking to see a judicial warrant— is yet another outrageous example of the rise of authoritarianism in our nation.

2 Israeli Embassy aides are killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C., officials say As attendees departed an event held by a Jewish advocacy organization in D.C. on Wednesday night, a shooter opened fire, killing two. Later, he chanted "free Palestine," D.C. police officials said.

We are heartbroken by the senseless killing of Israeli Embassy staff in DC. This trauma weighs heavily on all of us. Our communities need justice, dignity, and safety for all people.

We mourn this loss of life and stand against all forms of violence. It must end.

Political strain? 🌍 @serenejones.bsky.social of @unionseminary.bsky.social suggests our duty is to build bridges to Trump voters questioning that vote – to catch them falling! Catch them in love and simply converse. Walls mean no one to catch anyone. #BridgeBuilding #CatchThem

Live Updates: Robert Francis Prevost Is 1st American Pope

Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, the first Peruvian and American to be elected pope. We look forward hopefully to the continuation of Pope Francis' legacy of building bridges and centering the most vulnerable among us in the church's global movement of peace.

Graphic for "Make It Plain" podcast with Rev. Mark Thompson

@unionseminary.bsky.social President @serenejones.bsky.social joined @ministter.bsky.social on the Make it Plain podcast where they discussed faith, justice & action in times of conflict—drawing on Bonhoeffer, MLK, and her visits with congregations across the U.S.

Picture of UTS President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones sitting with PIX11 News Crew in front of a picture of Pope Francis.

“You see extended into his papacy the work that he did for so many years in Argentina, where he was known as a Jesuit leader, a priest who attended so carefully to the poor, the vulnerable, was amongst the masses of people, didn’t separate himself,

We also recognize among his many contributions, Laudato Si’, and his care for our environment. May his memory be a blessing.
religionnews.com/2025/04/21/p...

Pope Francis, charismatic reformer and disruptor, is dead at 88 VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Francis leaves behind him a church still divided, but radically transformed. pope-francis-obit-dead-vatican-conclave

We join communities around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His ministry was marked by compassion, humility, and a call to justice that resonated far beyond the Church.

Person with white hair, wearing a black outfit, stands with arms crossed in front of a building. Text reads: "UNION News" and "salon.

In her latest op-ed, @UnionSeminary President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones shares on the dismantling of USAID, "As I watch the Trump administration and his cronies continue to make references to God through their policy decisions, I can't help but be disgusted.

Reverends: Trump’s Anti-Trans Attacks Are Un-Christian President Donald Trump and his supporters often ground their anti-trans actions in “religious freedom” for Christians.

Read the full oped, “Reverends: Trump’s Anti-Trans Attacks Are Unchristian” published by Time here: buff.ly/uc7KDEP

“We believe that God created trans and intersex people and that gender fluidity is as natural to some of God’s creations as is identification with only a single gender expression. And the struggle for the freedom to be is as old as humanity itself. Indeed, this is the Biblical Story...”

Department of Homeland Security agents search two University-owned residences, no arrests made Department of Homeland Security agents searched two student rooms in University-owned residences Thursday night, interim University President Katrina Armstrong announced in a Thursday email.

We are shocked and outraged by the DHS raids at CU last night. City, state, and university leaders must intervene to stand up for student safety and the rule of law.

Read the full meditation entitled “Eternally Present Love” published today as the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Daily Meditation here: cac.org/daily-medita...

On the 60th anniversary of the Selma Bridge Crossing: “Without the profound work of faith leaders during this time, it’s very possible the Voting Rights Act would have stayed only a dream,” stated UTS Asst. Prof.of Homiletics Rev. Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones and UTS President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones.

60 years after 'Bloody Sunday,' faith leaders are still key to the fight against racism (RNS) — Today’s clergy need to answer the Rev. Martin Luther King’s call six decades ago to step up, organize and take action.

Read Rev. Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones and Rev. Dr. President @SereneJones.Bsky.Social recent Oped published in Religion News Service here: buff.ly/ZMqQwvH

Governor Hochul and Commissioner Martuscello must negotiate to end this strike now and redouble prison reform efforts.

Unshowered and Hungry, Incarcerated People Wait Out Prison Guard… With nearly all of New York’s state prisons on lockdown, those on the inside struggle to get by.

Our criminal justice system is sinful—fueling mass incarceration that punishes the poor and people of color.

Overcrowded, underfunded prisons strip dignity, disregarding the image of the divine within all of us.

To Sam’s family & all who love him, we stand with you in grief & solidarity in the fight for justice for our trans siblings.

Sam Nordquist: 5 charged for allegedly torturing, killing Minnesota trans man | CNN Five people have been arrested in New York and charged in connection with the disappearance and murder of a 24-year-old transgender man from Minnesota, who police say was tortured and abused for weeks...

So heartbroken & outraged by the brutal murder of Sam Nordquist. Faith leaders must confront the pervasive violence faced by our trans siblings & advocate for policies that protect them, so our communities are welcoming & safe spaces.

As faith leaders, we must honor his legacy to ensure no one must choose between their faith & identity by continuing his courageous work to advocate for inclusion & justice.

Praying for Imam Hendricks’ family & community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to justice for our LGBTQ+ siblings.

Muhsin Hendricks: World's 'first openly gay imam' shot dead in South Africa - BBC News He was a pioneering figure who ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay Muslims.

So saddened & horrified by the heinous murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazer in the Muslim community for LGBTQ+ rights.