Legislation Details

File #: 260782    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 9/24/2026 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 9/24/2026
Title: Honoring and celebrating United Lutheran Seminary on its 200th Anniversary and commemorating the Seminary’s longstanding presence and service in the City of Philadelphia.
Sponsors: Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Squilla
Title
Honoring and celebrating United Lutheran Seminary on its 200th Anniversary and commemorating the Seminary’s longstanding presence and service in the City of Philadelphia.

Body
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 an...

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