Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape to be installed as a new faculty member during Fall Convocation

Open to the public, Chapman Lape to present "In the Wilderness: A Womanist Embrace for Liminality”

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) -- United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities invites the public to Fall Convocation on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 11:45 AM in the campus chapel (767 Eustis St., St. Paul, Minn. 55114) or via livestream. In celebration of the new academic year, Convocation will include a time of worship and the installation of Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape as assistant professor of interreligious chaplaincy and program director for interreligious chaplaincy. She will present on the theme, "In the Wilderness: A Womanist Embrace for Liminality" (Genesis 16:1-13).

“Hagar-in-the-wilderness symbolism represents faith experiences that shape the lives of African American women,” says Chapman Lape. “The symbolism bears hope for Black women’s collective struggle for survival and liberation in the midst of social, political, and economic oppressions. From Hagar’s wilderness experience and its lasting wisdom for the survival and flourishing of African American women, we, too, can learn to embrace spaces of liminality -- here at United, and beyond.”

As program director for interreligious chaplaincy, Chapman Lape leads the Master of Divinity degree concentration with the highest enrollment at United, bringing vision, clinical experience, and academic research to strengthen a program that teaches ministerial competencies in a multifaith, multicultural world.

Chapman Lape is a womanist pastoral theologian, clinically trained hospital chaplain, community trained doula, and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She has published and presented on the impact of community health education in African American communities, developed faith-based curricula for urban health education programs, and conducted extensive research on the role of faith and spirituality in the health and flourishing of women of color.

Per United’s COVID policy, everyone on campus must wear a mask and be vaccinated. Parking is available on the south side of the red CASE building -- as a marker, look for the large pavilion-structure in the center of the parking lot. Questions can be directed to ahovell@unitedseminary.edu.

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