New video introduces AGM candidate ahead of Special Meeting of General Synod 35 in May

Ahead of the call to a Special Meeting of the 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ, a video package has been released to give delegates and the wider church a more personal introduction to the nominee for Associate General Minister, Love of Church (AGM), the Rev. Jennifer Sowell. 

The video includes a special sermon from Sowell and remarks from the Rev. Cean James, chair of the AGM search committee that recommended Sowell for the nomination, as well as congregants from St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, Illinois, the church where Sowell has served as senior pastor since 2020. 

“Rev. Sowell has spent her entire ministerial career serving, strengthening, and growing local churches,” James said in the pre-recorded remarks. “[Sowell] has distinguished herself particularly in developing innovative ministries that meet the needs of the communities her churches served.” 

If confirmed by the General Synod, Sowell would fill a role that has been vacant since the December 2023 resignation of the Rev. Traci Blackmon. Sowell will need a 60 percent majority of the nearly 700 voting delegates to be confirmed.

The Special Meeting of General Synod 35 will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. This virtual gathering for delegates will also will be open to the public. Registration will open in the coming weeks. 

A virtual ‘Meet the Candidate’ evening is planned for Thursday, April 16, and details for joining will be released soon. Read more about Sowell’s bio and ministry here.

View the video introduction below: 

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