Distance learning at UTS is designed for busy adults who want to gain the knowledge of a seminary education without relocating to Barrytown. Your home becomes your classroom and you study according to your own schedule.

At the present time UTS is pleased to introduce three Certificate Programs, offering advanced knowledge in Unificationism, Christian theology, and Counseling.

For details on which courses comprise each certificate program contact the Registrar at (914)752-3012 or e-mail utsregis@ulster.net

UTS does not offer a complete Masters’ Degree through distance learning at this time. However, students enrolled in a Masters’ Degree program may take up to 12 courses (36 of the 72 credits required for a Masters’ Degree) via distance learning. Anyone who ultimately wishes to obtain a Masters’ Degree will gain a head start by accumulating credits through these distance learning courses. (One option for the remaining 36 credits is to take one 11-week term at UTS per year over three years).

Distance learning courses are open to everyone. No college degree is required, nor is there any admissions procedure. You enroll simply by contacting the registrar and paying the tuition, registration and materials fees. Tuition is $300 per course in a certificate program or a non-credit course and $450 for a 3-credit course to be applied towards a Masters’ Degree. (Distance learners who anticipate earning a Masters’ Degree should discuss the matter of admissions requirements and tuition with the Admissions Office at (914)752-3015 or admisuts@epix.net )

You do not have to be adept at using the computer in order to take most UTS distance learning courses. Although communication through the Internet is preferred, many of these courses can be taken low-tech, via fax and mail.

When you enroll for a course, you will receive a Study Guide which includes discussion points and regular assignments. For some courses you will be asked to purchase audio tapes or video cassettes, and most courses require a textbook. You will be mentored by a UTS professor. Besides grading your assignments, he will be available by phone or e-mail to answer questions and guide you through the course.

Some courses are on a fixed schedule in parallel with instruction at Barrytown, but most courses can be taken at your own pace.

By Susumu Kotegawa

Since Chris joined the Unification movement he has been intent on finding the answer to one burning question in his mind, namely what is the best contribution he can make with his life for God?

Chris was born in western New York State, a hundred miles east of Elmira, where Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church. When he was two years old his family moved to New England and he lived for sixteen years in a small fishing town on the coast of Maine. He recalls that New Englanders are deeply religious. To survive the harsh winters early settlers adopted a rugged individualism that earned them the nickname the "frozen chosen".

In September, 1992, while studying in New York, he met CARP and was introduced to the Divine Principle. Later he enrolled in seven and twenty-one day workshops, at the end of which he made a three year commitment to full-time missionary work for CARP, postponing his studies until a future date. At the end of three years he decided to join the upcoming Blessing Ceremony. On November 9, 1997 he met Mitsuko Ishikawa for the first time in Washington DC and they were Blessed together in holy matrimony.

Chris is a proud graduate of World CARP and has great respect for its leaders. He learned a lot from his World CARP activities and appreciates the close connections between brothers and sisters. Since most CARP leaders are UTS graduates, their example motivated him to attend UTS in the future.

On God’s Day 1998 he attended the Chung Pyung Workshop in Korea. This was a time of great personal reflection and questioning for him. He especially reflected upon the best way to dedicate his life to God. He was a song leader at the workshop; his sincere dedication was conspicuous from the stage and caught the attention of Rev. Yang, leader of the Washington DC region. Rev. Yang approached Chris and advised him to come to UTS to prepare to become a future leader in America. This spurred Chris to more seriously consider coming to UTS.

When he returned to the United States, the country was reverberating with President Clinton’s sex scandal. Chris saw the sad reality of how mired in moral crisis America is. He realized that America, as well as CARP and the Unification movement, needs strong leaders for the future. However, when Chris was in World CARP he felt the amount he could contribute was limited.

Therefore, upon his return from Chung Pyung he proposed to his leader that he go to UTS. Both Jin Hun Nim and Mike Balcomb supported his decision and he received internal guidance and heard good testimonies about UTS from Jin Hun Nim. Mike Balcomb shared insights into the future of UTS including suggestions about what UTS needs to change in order to welcome young people, including Unificationist 2nd generation in the future. This helped him as he was preparing to come to UTS.

However, this was also a time of great turmoil. His wife was kidnapped and confined by an anti-Unificationist minister in Japan. She was missing for 70 days. As she planned her escape from the house in which she was being held, he took social action against faith-breaking to try to prevent this kind of unlawful activity from happening again.

By the grace of God, his spouse escaped, but Chris remains outraged that UC members continue to be kidnapped at the alarming rate of 200 – 300 per year. He sees God working even in the face of such difficulties. He feels he can effectively solve this problem with the support of the UTS community.

Thousands of UC members have had their faith broken by people opposed to the UC. He does not see this as a problem of such people or the Japanese government alone; he feels we must address the issue as a community and as a movement. Chris emphasizes that we need to strengthen and tighten our community bonds as brothers and sisters, as well as maintaining good ongoing relationships with our physical families. He believes that UTS is central to the development of such bonds, and can provide a model for such relationships.

Chris enrolled at UTS on January 1999, and was chosen as Junior Class President. He is seeking to serve brothers and sisters in the community in whatever ways he can, to inspire others through his example. He realizes UTS needs to grow and change in order to meet True Parent’s hopes and expectations for the future. He initiated a community birthday party during lunch at the beginning of the month. This inspired students ("it was short but extremely sweet" was an oft-heard comment) and staff alike. Several staff members are early UTS graduates and this sparked memories of their early UTS spirit and the sense of community they experienced here.

He sincerely wants to inherit True Father’s tradition and build deep relationships between brothers and sisters. Academic Dean, Dr. Mickler, gave this advice to new students at orientation: "Develop harmony between your heart and mind!" This became Chris’ favorite motto for his time at UTS.

By Susumu Kotegawa

During True Mother’s world speaking tour UTS students received many blessings from True Father. Whenever True Father spoke at Belvedere, UTS brothers and sisters were prominently featured. True Father threw a bouquet into the audience one day and a UTS brother caught it. Another day a UTS brother caught a 37.5 inches striped bass in the Hudson river, the season record at the time. That was bigger than True Father’s, so, characteristically the next day, Father caught a 38 inches striped bass. On another occasion about 10 brothers had the opportunity to sing a Japanese song entitled "A Toast!" in front of True Father for True Mother’s Victory party. They sang cheerfully and powerfully, rearranging part of the song to include the words "Toast to True Parents!!!" Suddenly True Father raised his coffee cup to them saying, "Toast to UTS too!" True Father is happy to see that wherever he goes UTS students respond to his heart. These are good signs for UTS to fulfill True Parents expectations!

VOLUME II

By John Gehring

Sometimes we wonder if we should take the chance and invest in purchasing a home for our family. After living in the home for ten or fifteen years it becomes clear if the investment was really worth it. I use this analogy to compare the investment of three years of my life in attending the Unification Theological Seminar. It is fifteen years since I graduated from UTS and I can clearly see that a wise investment was made.

A good education always provides the student with an added sense of confidence. Education allows you to see how things work, it shows the paths that have been taken by some, and it stimulates you on your chosen path. I appreciate the education at UTS for three or four central reasons.

Life at UTS gave me a chance to read and study many of the themes I was interested in knowing about more deeply. I especially appreciated the hundreds of hours of reading that I could invest in studying the philosophy of Unificationism and learning how it compared with other ways of thinking. Confidence comes when you understand the valuable gift we have been given and you can see how that resource can be used to create a better living environment. By nature, the "God talk" in theology and the classes on counseling were inspiring and they have served to strengthen my relationship with God and with others.

One of the most exciting thing for me at the seminar was the professional training I received through field education. I spent two summers in Boston and Washington DC with Bill Brunhoeffer and Patsy Cassino working with Christian ministers in the realm of social action. Many older ministers were happy to share deep life experiences with us. They treated us as fellow ministers and this was important in helping me find my own identity.

Other activities that added to the UTS experience and proved valuable and fun were being part of the ICUS staff, taking part in minister conferences in the Bahamas (yes the beaches were fine), doing church visitation and developing the beginnings of a Home Church area. These diverse experiences balanced out the academic rigors of the seminary and have added knowledge, a little wisdom and some confidence that have been very useful in both my professional life and in teaching how to relate to a wide spectrum of humanity.

Even though academics and field education provide an excellent reason to go to UTS a third element stands out as a reminder of the good investment that I made. I have some life long friends that are eternally precious to me. Although I may not express my appreciate to them enough, their laughter, effort, support and care mean a great deal to me. Actually, the network of relationships that has been built as a result of my time in UTS is very large, it extends beyond my particular classmates and brushes the shoulders of each class that has gone through the 'same' seminary experience in the last twenty one years.

UTS provided a path to my work with the International Religious Foundation and especially the Religious Youth Service (RYS). This work is an extension of the heart and vision of True Parents and it has helped stimulate tens of thousands of youth around the world. A part of that vision and heart was given to me at UTS and I am deeply grateful.

Now, that fifteen years have past since graduating from UTS a little self congratulation may be due. Who would of thought that a three year commitment to UTS would have turned out to have such a valuable impact on my life. Well, maybe luck had some part in it, but more seriously, my trusting Father's desire for me, had a much larger part in me choosing the path that passed through UTS.

Planning a workshop or retreat this summer? Then consider holding it at UTS. We offer the beauty of creation with walking trails, facilities for cook-outs, sports facilities, and spiritual reflection at the Holy Rock of Decision and in our magnificent Chapel.

Dormitory accommodations are available for as many as 200 participants during the summer break. We also have several private rooms for staff or guests, meeting rooms for lectures and discussions, and full meal service. All at very reasonable rates!

Smaller groups can be accommodated during term-time, but now is the time to plan for the summer break, which runs from July 1st through August 31st.

If you are interested in planning an event at UTS, please contact Dr. Jennifer Tanabe:

Telephone: (914) 752-3005
Fax: (914) 752 –3105
E-mail: ytanabe@ulster.net

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