WHEREAS, United Lutheran Seminary is celebrating its 200th Anniversary in 2026, marking two centuries of preparing faithful and resilient leaders for Christian ministry, public service, and service to communities of faith throughout the nation and the world; and
WHEREAS, United Lutheran Seminary has maintained a presence in Philadelphia since 1864 and, in 1889, officially established its campus in the Mount Airy section of the City, where it has served as a steward of its historic and beautiful campus for 137 years; and
WHEREAS, Today, United Lutheran Seminary serves students through campuses in Philadelphia and Gettysburg, as well as through learning programs that extend theological education and leadership formation to students and communities across the country; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its 200-year history, thousands of pastors, deacons, chaplains, and other leaders have been educated and formed at United Lutheran Seminary, going forth to serve congregations, institutions, neighborhoods, and communities around the world; and
WHEREAS, United Lutheran Seminary builds and sustains an affirming and diverse learning community of faithful, well-educated leaders equipped to guide grace-filled encounters and to respond thoughtfully to the needs of a changing world; and
WHEREAS, The Seminary’s mission is grounded in the values of Love, Inquiry, Community, Integrity, and Commitment, reflecting a commitment to the dignity of all people, multidimensional diversity, compassion and reconciliation, critical and lifelong inquiry, hospitality and communal well-being, accountability and safety, and the translation of theological commitments into lifegiving conversations and actions; and
WHEREAS, United Lutheran Seminary seeks to cultivate theological education that avoids narrow dogmatism and hyper-individualism and instead encourages communal deliberation, thoughtful listening, public leadership, advocacy, peacemaking, stewardship, and attention to the real needs of the world; and
WHEREAS, As United Lutheran Seminary begins its third century, it remains committed to forming faithful, resilient leaders while preserving and advancing the historic legacy of theological education in Philadelphia and responding to the challenges and opportunities of the present day; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Council hereby honors and congratulates United Lutheran Seminary, recognizing two centuries of theological education and leadership formation and its longstanding presence and contributions to the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to United Lutheran Seminary as a symbol of the City Council’s appreciation and congratulations on the occasion of its 200th Anniversary.
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