Welcome to GMU
The celebration of Martin Luther King Day in 2021 comes at a pivotal time in the history of the United States. Our multi-racial democracy has been under attack by those who launched a violent insurrection at our US Capitol on January 6 as our Congress was about to certify the 2020 presidential election won by Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris.
Martin Luther King embodied a belief that the moral ark of history moved in the direction of greater human rights, removal of unjust social structures and the attainment of civic peace and solidarity through non-violent means. He asserted that this goal could be inspired and achieved by appealing to the universal moral precepts about non-violence found in religious teachings as well as secular ethics and moral philosophy. Global Ministries University calls upon all religious and spiritual leaders in the United States to lead a moral renewal of our nation and reaffirm the non-violent message that Martin Luther King gave to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s.
We now need a new moral movement that can meet the challenges of our present time to overcome the forces of hate, racism and bigotry that appeared at our nations’ Capitol on January 6. We pray that the spirit of Martin Luther King will live on in the United States and be a beacon of light that will shine brightly again in our nation’s life and history.
Gerald Grudzen, Ph.D.
President
Global Ministries University
Responding to the violence, death and destruction in the United States Capitol Building, Global Ministries University presents this prayer from Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan.
A Prayer for Unity in Diversity at this Time of Crisis
by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
Let us pray for a peaceful transition of power in the inauguration of President Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice-president .
Response: Holy One, we believe that you speak and work through us.
Let us pray and pledge ourselves to work for equality and justice for everyone in our country-no exceptions as we confront discrimination and conspiracy theories that are rooted in hatred, untruth, and threats of violence.
Response: Holy One, we believe that you speak and work through us.
Let us pray for wisdom for our political leaders as they respond to the assault on the Capitol yesterday.
Response: Holy One, we believe that you speak and work through us.
Let us pray and pledge ourselves to foster unity in diversity in our country.
Response: Holy One, we believe that you speak and work through us.
Let us pray that all civil and military leaders will follow their oath to the Constitution.
Response: Holy One, we believe that you speak and work through us.
Let us pray and pledge ourselves to treat others with kindness.
Response: Holy One, we believe that you speak and work through us.
GMU is a proud affiliate of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and supports its statement calling for invoking the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution to remove Donald J. Trump from office.
“The Trustees of the Parliament of the World’s Religions call on the Vice-President and the Cabinet of the United States to transmit to the President pro tempore of the United States Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unfit and therefore unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, in accordance with Article 4 of the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution…”
Read the entire PWR statement here.
Excellence, Flexibility, Affordability
In this coming year, Global Ministries University will celebrate its twentieth anniversary of providing theological and ministerial education to its students and collaborators throughout the world.
Read GMU’s 2020 Holiday Messages here.
Statement from President Grudzen on the election
As the election has now been called, Global Ministries University congratulates President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris and looks forward to their leadership modeling the inclusivity and diversity envisioned in our country’s ideals. The vision and mission of GMU echo the words of Kamala Harris: “We the people have the power to build a better future.”
We join with religious leaders in our country and around the world in seeking a greater role for the US in the pressing issues of our time: the global coronavirus pandemic, the growing threat of climate change on planet earth, and the increasing economic disparity found in many parts of the world, affecting its most vulnerable populations.
GMU En Español: Now Offering Courses in Spanish
Announcing GMU’s New Community Chaplaincy Program
Learn more about GMU’s exciting new program here.
Attain a Certificate in Environmental Justice!
GMU’s Response to the COVID-19 Crisis:
The Mirror of Our Minds: Paths to Wholeness in the Era of Coronavirus
This Free Zoom session was held on Wednesday July 1 at 4 PM PDT (7 PM EDT) with psychologist Manuel Yaniz PhD. Learn more .
Podcast of Psycho-Spiritual Discussion
on Mental Health Issues Associated with
Coronavirus COVID-19
Spirituality in the Age of Coronavirus
Inspiration and Hope from the Parliament of the World’s Religions
Prayer for healing anxiety in uncertain times ~Bridget M Meehan
Marita Grudzen presented “Spirituality A Way to Sustain and Connect in the Era of Covid-19,” A Forum of the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco on Thursday May 28, 2020, 1:00-2:30 pm (PDT)
New Book By Gerald Grudzen and John Raymaker
In 2008, the authors wrote Steps toward Vatican III which explored developments occurring in the Catholic Church including its teachings on social justice, interreligious dialogue, and Small Christian Communities. This update of Steps explores how Pope Francis has developed such themes in original ways in his encyclicals and in his use of synodal consultations. For example, in his Encyclical “Laudato Si,” the pope seeks to lead us into the mysteries of the universe, of creatures, and the harmony of creation. It helps us reflect on the universal communion of nature.
Young people, in particular, have responded with enthusiasm to Pope Francis’ initiatives. The book notes how some “traditional” Catholics have opposed the pope, but it argues that, in fact, the pope is more traditional than his critics for he insists on going back to Jesus’ own teachings.
The new ongoing crises such as the breakdown and rise of new ideologies, terrorism, massive advances in the sciences and in technology, as well as fundamental shifts in gender relations are further factors considered in the book. Indeed, the world is now radically different from the world of the early 1960’s when Vatican II Council was held. Due to these many radical changes, the book suggests the need for a Vatican III which would consolidate the Church’s global outreach on every continent.
Hamilton Books is offering a 30% discount for those ordering the book directly from the publisher.
Global Ministries University is an online international contemporary theological learning platform that is inclusive, supportive of creative thinking, and honors the sacred in all religions and spiritual traditions.
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