--- title: Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on Community Response Efforts description: With members of our United community engaged in rapid response efforts, the seminary will be closed on Friday, January 23. image: https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hubfs/Statement_CommunityResponseEfforts_CurrentEvents_Design_MarComm1920x1080.jpg --- [![The Canvas Logo_Final1.png](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Canvas%20Logo_Final1.png?width=1779&name=The%20Canvas%20Logo_Final1.png "The Canvas Logo_Final1.png")](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas) - [Theology](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/theology) - [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/activism) - [Arts](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/arts) - [Formation](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/formation) - [Voice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/voice) - [Theology of Prince](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/theology-of-prince) ![original-5](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hubfs/Images/social-suggested-images/original-5.jpg "original-5") ### Subscribe to The Canvas ### Subscribe to The Canvas ## Featured Post   [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/rev-dr-carolyn-pressler)   Feb 25, 2026 ## [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler Reflects on Women’s History Month](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) Dear Friends of United, [immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [Feminism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/feminism) [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [ICE in Twin Cities](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/ice-in-twin-cities) [Read More](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) ## Recent Posts [Campus News](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/campus-news) [social justice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/social-justice) [justice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/justice) [immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [Alums](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/alums) [news releases](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/news-releases) [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [statement](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/statement) # Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on Community Response Efforts By [President Molly T. Marshall](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/president-molly-t-marshall)22, Jan 2026 These are fraught days for us. Those who call the Twin Cities home persist under the pall of a federal occupation, bracing each day for word of a new atrocity. In the weeks since an ICE agent killed Renee Good, we have seen the good people of Minneapolis and St. Paul show up for one another as armed federal agents patrol our communities, violating due process and cruelly abducting thousands of people.  I think often of our friends and neighbors—including some members of the United community—as they live under the acute terror ICE has wrought on their neighborhoods. Many rely on the aid of a trusted few to meet their basic needs. Facing an oppressive force, our communities have turned outward with resilience, toward one another, embodying anew the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” I have been deeply moved by the courage of my neighbors and, in particular, United’s students, alums, trustees, and faculty and staff. They model solidarity despite extreme cold, attending vigils, leading music, creating art, and keeping watch with whistles over their neighborhoods while ICE patrols their streets. Chaplains involved in interfaith organizations are supporting local demonstrations and assisting in de-escalation efforts. Lay leaders, prompted to care for their vulnerable neighbors, are picking up groceries, taking kids to school, and meeting material needs in a vast network of mutual aid. Indeed, this is servant leadership. This week, clergy and faith leaders of myriad traditions are answering MARCH’s call to resist this importunate occupation and bear witness to its harm. With members of our United community engaged in rapid response efforts, the seminary will be closed on Friday, January 23. And, in solidarity with fellow clergy and elected officials, I reaffirm my call that ICE must immediately end its terrorizing of the Twin Cities, leave Minnesota altogether, and bring to justice the agent who killed Ms. Good. Social transformation is one of United’s longstanding pillars, and we are seeing the real-world witness of faith and community leaders equipped for the work of justice and peace. In the words of Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, director of our Social Transformation Program, “Faith leaders are shaping Minnesota’s response to be highly ethical and effective.” The common good, though under grave threat, is in the committed stewardship of our very best. In the days ahead, may we be courageous in our convictions for the love and dignity of our neighbors. Rev. Molly T. Marshall, Phd *President* ### [President Molly T. Marshall](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/president-molly-t-marshall) ## Your Comments : Previous Post ##### [Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on the Killing of Renee Good](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-president-molly-t.-marshall-on-the-killing-of-renee-good) Next Post ##### [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler Reflects on Women’s History Month](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) ### Search Blog - Latest Posts - Popular Posts [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler Reflects on Women’s History Month](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) [ immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [ Feminism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/feminism) [ Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [ ICE in Twin Cities](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/ice-in-twin-cities) [Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on Community Response Efforts](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-president-molly-t.-marshall-on-community-response-efforts) [ Campus News](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/campus-news) [ social justice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/social-justice) [ justice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/justice) [ immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [ Alums](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/alums) [ news releases](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/news-releases) [ Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [ statement](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/statement) [Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on the Killing of Renee Good](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-president-molly-t.-marshall-on-the-killing-of-renee-good) [ immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [ news releases](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/news-releases) [ Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [ statement](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/statement) ### Categories - [September 2017 (11)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2017/09) - [June 2021 (8)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2021/06) - [August 2018 (7)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2018/08) - [February 2017 (6)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2017/02) - [September 2018 (6)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2018/09) - [December 2018 (6)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2018/12) ### Read more of what you like. ## [Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Hsieh (’70) Honored as United’s 2025 Distinguished Alum](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/rev.-dr.-stephen-hsieh-70-honored-as-uniteds-2025-distinguished-alum) ## [Rev. Stacy Craig (’20) Honored as United’s 2025 Spirit of United Alum](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/stacy-craig-20-honored-as-uniteds-2025-spirit-of-united-alum) ## [Kimberly Vrudny (’95): United’s 2011 Distinguished Alum](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/kimberly-vrudny-95-uniteds-2011-distinguished-alum) [![Sample The Canvas Logos_1_Yellow-Grey -2.png](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Sample%20The%20Canvas%20Logos_1_Yellow-Grey%20-2.png?width=1779&name=Sample%20The%20Canvas%20Logos_1_Yellow-Grey%20-2.png "Sample The Canvas Logos_1_Yellow-Grey -2.png")](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas) Copyright © 2020 The Canvas ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1618067998521479&ev=PageView&noscript=1)