Urbana Seminary

Chili, Dessert, and Fellowship
2025-01-24 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Life Together House, 1502 South Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL, 61802, United States
The spring semester is upon us, and we’re excited to celebrate! Everyone is welcome to join the Urbana Seminary community for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship. Bring a pot of your favorite chili to share in a potluck-style feast—the more variety, the better! If you’d rather bring a dessert, feel free to contribute a sweet treat instead. Even if you can’t bring a dish, we’d love to see you there. The seminary will provide beverages and paper goods as well as a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of good company.
Jan 24 @ 6:00 pm
We’re excited to welcome everyone, whether you’re a familiar face or new to our community! Bring your family and friends to join the fun. Life Together House is located at 1502 South Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL.
RSVP by emailing Dr. Durst — pdurst@urbanatheologicalseminary.org

A Taste of Seminary
2024-10-22 19:00 - 2024-11-05 20:30 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
A Taste of Seminary: Christian Perspectives on Faith, Culture, and Contemporary Issues
Tuesdays, October 22 through November 12, 2024.
Location: Champaign Public Library

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OCT 22: Chesterton at 150: Why Read His Work Today? Dr. Melody Green — Friends Conference Room 215
Born in 1874, the enduring popularity of G. K. Chesterton is, for many, an enigma. While he is best known today as the creator of Father Brown, a crime-solving priest in an ongoing BBC Television series, he was also an apologist, a journalist, a poet, a playwright, and a novelist. This talk will serve as an introduction to some of his enduring ideas, as well as some of his best-known work.
OCT 29: Pascal for a Post-Secular Age. Dr. Emily Wenneborg — Friends Conference Room 215.
Our cultural moment both reveres and mistrusts the certainties of science, welcomes every form of spiritual expression except traditional Christianity, and yearns to find purpose in pain. How does the life and work of Blaise Pascal, a seventeenth-century Frenchman, help us navigate the pressures and possibilities we face today?
NOV 5: Insomniac America: A Theological Perspective on Sleep. Dr. Todd T. W. Daly — Busey Bank Conference Room 222
Sleep seems to have gotten very complicated in our modern era, as cases of insomnia continue to rise. What is the difference between sleep hygiene and sleep as a spiritual discipline, and what does Christian theology have to say about sleep and sleeplessness?
NOV 12: Paradise Lost: A Contemporary Litmus Test for Our Moral Condition. Dr. Pearce Durst — Robeson Pavilion Room A
A contemporary Christian’s reading of Puritan John Milton’s Paradise Lost, where devilish actions luster with attractiveness and godly actions prove perplexing, serves as a litmus test that offers deeper insight into the fallen human condition. Come see where you stand during this discussion which aims to bring this classic epic poem into our contemporary conversation.

Back to School Picnic
2024-08-24 17:00 - 19:30 | Meadowbrook Park, 2808 S Race St, Urbana, IL, 61802, United States
We’re looking forward to celebrating the start of the fall semester with some delicious food and great company!

Save the Date: This year’s picnic is on August 24th!

Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Garden Pavilion at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana (Race Street entrance and parking)
Mark your calendars and bring your favorite potluck dish (if you can) for another awesome picnic as we kickoff the new semester. See you there!

AudioFeed
2024-07-04 - 2024-07-07 | Champaign County Fairgrounds, 1302 N Coler Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, United States
We are excited to be a part of AudioFeed Festival again! We’ll see you there! Stay tuned for more details.
Check out their site for more info: https://audiofeedfestival.com/

Ancient Israel in Chicago
2024-06-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, 1155 E 58th St., Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Join us on June 8th for an exciting trip to Ancient Israel without the long flight! We’ll dive into the world of the Old Testament at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) Museum (formerly known as The Oriental Institute), where artifacts from Ancient Israel, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Canaan await our discovery.
Dr. Ken Cuffey, Professor of Biblical Studies, will lead us on a three hour tour of the museum, explaining the connections between the items on display and the Old Testament.
We’ll be gathering at the front door of the museum at 12:45, ready to enjoy this insightful tour together.
The cost for this trip is $25.

Click here to register

For those needing transportation assistance: the registration form includes an option to indicate if you require a ride. Alternatively, if you’re interested in driving, feel free to sign up, and we’ll coordinate arrangements.

The Story of Urbana Seminary at 20 Years
2024-05-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Learn about the founding and subsequent history of Urbana Theological Seminary!
Hosted by the Champaign County History Musuem, “History Talks” is a series of talks pertaining to Champaign County history.

Urbana Seminary Interest Meeting
2024-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | The Bread Company, 706 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, United States
You are invited to join us for an upcoming gathering to explore what Urbana Seminary is all about while enjoying some delicious sandwiches on us!
Urbana Seminary is known for its blend of academic rigor and approachability. We prioritize our students, offering small class sizes, a flexible curriculum, and affordable tuition.
We are committed to:
Intellectual Hospitality: We welcome individuals from diverse perspectives to engage in meaningful discussions rooted in historic Christian thought.
Grounding in Scripture: Our commitment to the authority of Scripture informs our beliefs and practices.
Formation in Christ: We strive to cultivate holistic growth, equipping students to love, know, and serve God in all aspects of life.
Preparation for the Future: Our education is designed to prepare students for the challenges of ministry and life in an ever-changing world.
Whether you are considering a vocation in ministry or simply curious about seminary education, we look forward to an evening of insightful conversation and fellowship with you!

Book Launch: Thrones in the Desert
2024-04-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Stratford Park Bible Chapel, 2801 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL, 61821, United States
Join us for Doug Peterson’s Book Launch for his novel Thrones in the Desert on April 27th at Stratford Park Bible Chapel! Help us celebrate the work of one of our alumni!
Learn more about the book here!

Cabrini: A Film and Theology Night
2024-03-08 18:00 - 21:30 | New Horizon Church, 3002 W. Bloomington Rd., Champaign, IL, 61822, United States
Join us for our next Film and Theology Night featuring the film, “Cabrini.” Directed by Alejandro Gómez Monteverde, this movie explores the life of Roman Catholic missionary and future Saint Francesca Cabrini as she encounters various challenges in late 19th century New York City.

Meet us at Champaign AMC for a screening of Cabrini at 6:00 pm.

Then join us for a theological discussion of the movie at New Horizon Church in Champaign at 9:00 pm.

Times are subject to change.

Spiritual Life Forum with Mel Lawrenz
2024-02-05 09:00 - 15:30 | New Horizon Church, 3002 W. Bloomington Rd., Champaign, IL, 61822, United States
Seeking Wholeness in a Broken World with Mel Lawrenz
Dr. Mel Lawrenz trains an international network of Christian leaders and has been on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Trinity International University. He has authored 18 books with Zondervan, Baker, Jossey-Bass, Leadership Network, Regal, and others. Titles include Spiritual Leadership Today, The Dynamics of Spiritual Formation, and A Chronicle of Grief.
Forum Schedule:

9:00: Welcome and Introductions
9:15: Session One: “Patterns: The Possibility of the God-Filled Life”
10:15: Break
10:30: Session Two: “The Dynamics of Formation”
11:30: Q & A
11:45: Catered Lunch
1:00: Session Three: “Spiritual Influence: The Hidden Power Behind Leadership”
2:00: Mid-Afternoon Break
2:15: Session Four: “Facing Crisis”
3:15: Q & A
3:30: Finish
This forum is not just an event; it’s a space where individuals come together to connect with each other, contemplate their spiritual walk, and discover practices for growth and wholeness. As a special treat, we’re thrilled to announce that attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Spiritual Influence by Mel Lawrenz, exploring the keys to spiritual grounding, taking initiative, and navigating challenges with resilience.
REGISTER HERE!
$25 Registration Fee (includes catered lunch)
Location: New Horizon Church (3002 W Bloomington Rd, Champaign, IL 61822)

Christmas at the Movies: Exploring the Genre, History, and Theology of Christmas Films
2023-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Windsor Road Christian Church, 2501 W Windsor Rd, Champaign, IL, 61822, United States
Christmas movies are a filmmaking tradition that date back to the 19th century. But what defines a Christmas movie? And what’s a Christian to do with them, anyway? If you’re wondering whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, or how to engage those formulaic Hallmark movies, come out to Windsor Road Christian Church on Friday, December 8th from 7:00-8:30 for an engaging discussion about the theology of Christmas movies, giveaways, games, goodies, and more!

Howl's Moving Castle: A Faith and Film Movie Night
2023-12-02 17:00 - 21:00 | Twin City Bible Church, 806 W Michigan Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, United States
Come explore how popular, beloved, and thought-provoking films intersect with the Christian faith! We will watch each movie together and spend some time discussing its themes, while enjoying some tasty snacks.

Can you fund friendship?
2023-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | All Souls Presbyterian Church, 202 W Illinois St., Urbana, IL, 61801, United States
a dinner discussion on unlikely friendships

Math and Love
2023-11-11 19:00 - 20:30 | All Souls Presbyterian Church, 202 W Illinois St., Urbana, IL, 61801, United States
What does mathematics have to do with love? Join Dr. James Drimalla (University of Virginia) to uncover the connection between mathematics and flourishing human relationships.

X-Men: A Faith and Film Movie Night
2023-11-04 17:00 - 21:00 | Twin City Bible Church, 806 W Michigan Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, United States

Arrival: A Faith and Film Movie Night
2023-10-14 17:00 - 21:00 | Twin City Bible Church, 806 W Michigan Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, United States

The Beauty of Belonging
2023-10-07 18:00 - 20:00 | All Souls Presbyterian Church, 202 W Illinois St., Urbana, IL, 61801, United States

Tolkien Conference
2023-09-22 08:00 - 2023-09-23 17:00 | TBD, Urbana, IL, United States

Oppenheimer: UTS Movie Night
2023-09-15 16:00 - 21:00 | Savoy 16, 232 Burwash Ave, Savoy, IL, 61874, United States
RSVP coming soon!

Barbie: UTS Movie Night
2023-08-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Savoy 16, 232 Burwash Ave, Savoy, IL, 61874, United States
Friday, August 25, Savoy 16. Meet in Lobby @ 5:30 ($12 tickets) followed by discussion at 8:30 (Email: pdurst@urbanatheolgocialseminary.org) Snacks / Drinks Provided!

Fall Semester 2023 Begins
2023-08-21

Back To School Picnic
2023-08-19 17:00 - 20:00 | Garden Pavilion (Meadowbrook Park), 2808 S. Race Street, Urbana, IL, 61802, United States
Everyone is welcome—students, alumni, friends of the Seminary, faculty.
Beverages, paper goods, and meat will be provided.
