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A diverse group of women pose together, smiling, in front of a screen that reads "Welcome to the Tidel Summit & Fellows." They are dressed in business and semi-formal attire at an indoor event space.
Three people sit on stage, engaged in discussion. A woman holds a notebook, while two men, one with a microphone, talk. Behind them, a large screen displays "Welcome to the Tidel Summit & Fellows Showcase.
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Four women stand in a group having a conversation in front of a screen that reads “SUMMIT & FELLOWS SHOWCASE GREEN ROOM.” The setting appears to be a modern, indoor event space.
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A diverse panel of four speakers sits on stage for a leadership roundtable discussion, with attendees seated at round tables in the foreground. A large screen behind them displays the event title and speaker photos.

 

A glowing cityscape of New York at night with text: "TIDEL Summit & Fellows Showcase, Friday, October 2nd, 2026, New York, New York, www.utsnyc.edu/tidel" and a white circular logo on the left.

Click here to register for the upcoming TIDEL Summit & Fellows Showcase on October 1st & 2nd, 2026!

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Announcing the 2026 -2027 TIDEL Artist-In-Residence Rev. Barbara Lavarin!

Sisters in the Digital Wilderness: Finding Freedom in Digital Hush Harbors
TIDEL at Union Theological Seminary / New York, NY

July 7, 2026 — Nashville, TN — The Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life & Faith (CAC) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Competitive Grant Programs, awarding nearly $2 million through its Artist in Context and Create, Educate, & Network grants. The Technology, Innovation and Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL) at Union Theological Seminary Presents: Sisters in the Digital Wilderness: Finding Freedom in Digital Hush Harbors. A ten-month gathering engaging story circles, scriptural reflection, and digital storytelling practices that explore themes of calling, resilience, and spiritual freedom. Our TIDEL artist-in-context, Rev. Barbara Lavarin will pen ten original spoken word pieces reflecting the digital hush harbor work. The residency will culminate in public Hush Harbor installations in New York City and Durham, North Carolina, where audiences will encounter the work through live performance and communal reflection.

“Union Theological Seminary is the birthplace of Womanist Theology. I am thrilled to welcome this Womanist proclaimer to TIDEL for a one-year exploration of the digital hush harbor work that 2026 requires. Rev. Lavarin brings a lens of poetry and prose that will help us tell Womanist stories in the digital age.” – Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes

Learn more about the Creative Arts Collective here.

 

Responding to AI Concerns Is a Matter of Pastoral Care

The image displays the text "Faith & Leadership" in black font, with a vertical blue line to the left of the word "Faith," all set against a white background with a soft blue border.July 7, 2026 — Durham, NC — Catch the latest piece in Faith & Leadership Magazine, by our Director, Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes.

Article Excerpt: “We were taught how to make visits to those who are sick and shut-in. We learned how to offer bereavement care to people who are living with loss. We found a rhythm of feeding our communities through food pantries and food drives. Some of us learned how to become advocates for our members  through the work of lobbying and demonstrating publicly to get the attention of our elected officials so that the necessary policies might be changed for our communities to live well. For most clergy, that work has fallen under the umbrella of pastoral care.

But what if I told you that, in addition to our members needing their pastor to hold their hands through those needs, in this moment they also need their pastor to walk them through the implications of artificial intelligence? Yes, grappling with the implications of AI is actually a pastoral care concern. Why? Because the fast pace of technology has a direct impact on the personal and professional lives of our parishioners.” Click here to read the full article, pinned by TIDEL Director Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes.

 

TIDEL Silicon Valley Pop-Up: Inside the TIDEL Fellows San Francisco Intensive

A diverse group of people stands posing and smiling in front of a stone archway flanked by palm trees on a sunny day. Logos for Union Theological Seminary and IDel are at the bottom right corner.April 13 – 15, 2026 — San Francisco, CA — The Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL) Fellows Program took its work across the country from April 13–15, 2026, bringing its second cohort into the heart of one of the world’s global tech hubs: San Francisco and the greater Silicon Valley.

The multi-day intensive placed fellows directly in environments shaping the future of innovation, connecting faith-based perspectives with the institutions, leaders, and ideas driving global change. TIDEL hosted a keynote conversation at Stanford D. School with the CEO and Co-Founder of Mighty Networks, Gina Bianchini. Professor Milan Drake hosted a closed workshop for TIDEL Fellows and Union Theological Seminary Alum, Dr. Shamika Klassen hosted a closed-door session with TIDEL Fellows at Google San Francisco. 

“This experience was about equipping leaders to navigate technology and the rise of AI with clarity, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities they serve,” says Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, Director of the TIDEL Fellowship Program.

Read the full story here.

 

 

TIDEL Hosts Unofficial SXSW Faith in Tech Mixer

Six people stand together smiling outdoors in front of a brick wall with banners behind them. Three wear matching black “IDEL” t-shirts. The group appears cheerful and is posing for a group photo at an event.March 15, 2026 — Austin, TX — TIDEL traveled to Austin, TX to host an Unofficial Faith & Tech Social at South By Southwest (SXSW). The event was co-sponsored by Austin Seminary, Texas Impact & The Hispanic Scholars Program. The event was the first of its kind and well-received by conference attendees and local Austin-based faith leaders. View the panel discussion here. Panelists included Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, Dr. Jordan Loewen-Colon, Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, Phil Dieke & Bee Moorhead.

See the full panel here!

 

 

 

 

 

EdTech Week 2025 + Union Theological Seminary

A group of seven people stand together and smile in front of a large screen. The image includes the Union Theological Seminary and IDEL logos in the bottom right corner.October 20, 2025 – New York, NY – TIDEL at Union Theological Seminary hosted an official Ed Tech Week 2025 Event on our campus. Union Theological Seminary’s Chief Technology Officer, Donald Joshua worked alongside Union’s Vice President Of Innovation, David Gastwirth and TIDEL Director of Fellowship & Programs, Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes to create an unprecedented partnership across Union and Ed Tech Week. The event, entitled “Applying Business Wisdom to Higher Education’s Digital Future,” featured a fireside chat with Union Theological Seminary’s Board Chair, Cliff Hudson & UTS Board Member Craig Miller moderated by Dr. Cudjoe Wilkes. The panelists presented core principles from their co-authored text, “Bricks & Clicks, How We Drove Sonic into the Digital Age.” TIDEL Launched their Mighty Networks Platform at that event. The digital hub serves as a place for TIDEL alums and friends of TIDEL to connect.

Click here to join the TIDEL Digital Community!

 

 

 

 

Bridging Faith and Digital Innovation

TIDEL addresses the gap between rapidly evolving digital technologies and the needs of today’s faith communities, creating the support and innovation needed to help leaders teach, connect, and worship in new ways.

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“Especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has exploded in recent years. While faith groups have taken some steps to employ new tools, they largely haven’t had the time, resources, or know-how to use them to their fullest potential. Simultaneously, Americans’ interest in traditional faith institutions has waned.”

Rev. Serene Jones

President of Union Theological Seminary

Programs

TIDEL Fellowship

The TIDEL Leadership Fellows Program is an 18-month intensive fellowship that brings leaders together in duos to explore, design, and research innovative technological solutions for faith communities. Fellows engage in design thinking, collaborative projects, and hands-on research to address real-world challenges, develop leadership skills, and shape the intersection of technology and faith.

Learn More

Highlights of the Fellowship

  • Collaboration – Work closely within duo pairs on real-world projects.

  • Immersive – Attend a hands-on experience in Silicon Valley.

  • Summit – Learn, network and present findings from project research.

  • Coaching & Mentorship – Receive tailored guidance and support.

Meet the Team

We are a team of innovators, changemakers and regenerative placemakers.

Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes

Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes

Director of The Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL) Fellowship.

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Dr. Jordan Loewen-Colón

Mentor, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL)

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Renaldo M. Pearson, ACNP

Mentor at the Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL)

David Gastwirth

David Gastwirth

VP for Online Education and Learning Innovation at Union Theological Seminary

We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative. We are excited to use new technology and innovation to build capacity, and advocate for justice together.

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Dr. Liz Theoharis

Director of the Kairos Center for Religions

Stay Connected with TIDEL

Join our private Mighty Networks community to stay informed, access shared resources, and remain connected with the broader TIDEL network. You can also follow us on Instagram for updates and highlights from our programs and events.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!             FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM!