Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
@serenejones.bsky.social
Johnston Family Professor for Religion & Democracy and the 16th President of the historic Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
YES!!!
(Photo Credit: Reuters on Election Night at Mayor-Elect Mamdani's Victory Celebration)
(Photo Credit: Reuters on Election Night at Mayor-Elect Mamdani's Victory Celebration)
November 6, 2025 at 8:51 PM
YES!!!
(Photo Credit: Reuters on Election Night at Mayor-Elect Mamdani's Victory Celebration)
(Photo Credit: Reuters on Election Night at Mayor-Elect Mamdani's Victory Celebration)
New Yorkers – it’s Election Day!
As President of Union Theological Seminary, I believe deeply in our shared call to justice, community, and the dignity of all people. Voting is one of the most profound ways we live out that call.
As President of Union Theological Seminary, I believe deeply in our shared call to justice, community, and the dignity of all people. Voting is one of the most profound ways we live out that call.
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
New Yorkers – it’s Election Day!
As President of Union Theological Seminary, I believe deeply in our shared call to justice, community, and the dignity of all people. Voting is one of the most profound ways we live out that call.
As President of Union Theological Seminary, I believe deeply in our shared call to justice, community, and the dignity of all people. Voting is one of the most profound ways we live out that call.
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.
At Union Theological Seminary, we reaffirm: every life is sacred. Every death is a rupture in the body of God.
August 12, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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.
At Union Theological Seminary, we reaffirm: every life is sacred. Every death is a rupture in the body of God.
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.
July 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
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.
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 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.
June 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
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 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.
June 23, 2025 at 8:51 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.
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.
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.
Sotomayor Writes the Court ‘Abandons’ Transgender Children to ‘Political Whims’
www.nytimes.com
June 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
www.cbsnews.com
June 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
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.
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.
We mourn this loss of life and stand against all forms of violence. It must end.
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.
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/22/nx-s1-5407288/dc-shooting-israel-embassy-staffers-killed"
May 22, 2025 at 10:42 PM
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.
We mourn this loss of life and stand against all forms of violence. It must end.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
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
May 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
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
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.
Live Updates: Robert Francis Prevost Is 1st American Pope
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
@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.
April 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
@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.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
“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,
April 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
“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 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.
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
religionnews.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:05 PM
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.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
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.
April 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
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.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
Read the full oped, “Reverends: Trump’s Anti-Trans Attacks Are Unchristian” published by Time here: buff.ly/uc7KDEP
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.
buff.ly
March 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Read the full oped, “Reverends: Trump’s Anti-Trans Attacks Are Unchristian” published by Time here: buff.ly/uc7KDEP
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
“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...”
March 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“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...”
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.
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.
www.columbiaspectator.com
March 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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...
March 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
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...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
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.
March 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
Read Rev. Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones and Rev. Dr. President @SereneJones.Bsky.Social recent Oped published in Religion News Service here: buff.ly/ZMqQwvH
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.
buff.ly
March 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Read Rev. Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones and Rev. Dr. President @SereneJones.Bsky.Social recent Oped published in Religion News Service here: buff.ly/ZMqQwvH
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.
Overcrowded, underfunded prisons strip dignity, disregarding the image of the divine within all of us.
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.
nysfocus.com
February 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
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.
Overcrowded, underfunded prisons strip dignity, disregarding the image of the divine within all of us.
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.
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...
amp.cnn.com
February 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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.
So saddened & horrified by the heinous murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazer in the Muslim community for LGBTQ+ rights.
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.
www.bbc.com
February 17, 2025 at 5:43 PM
So saddened & horrified by the heinous murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazer in the Muslim community for LGBTQ+ rights.
“Bishop Budde’s gentle but firm call for mercy, compassion, justice, and moral clarity in this pivotal moment reflects the core values that @unionseminary.bsky.social, as a historically Christian seminary with a growing interreligious emphasis, holds dear-
February 4, 2025 at 9:05 PM
“Bishop Budde’s gentle but firm call for mercy, compassion, justice, and moral clarity in this pivotal moment reflects the core values that @unionseminary.bsky.social, as a historically Christian seminary with a growing interreligious emphasis, holds dear-