Traci Blackmon reelected as associate general minister, Justice and Local Church Ministries

Associate General Minister Traci Blackmon was reelected to a second four-year team by the delegates of the United Church of Christ ‘Special Edition’ General Synod on Sunday evening, July 18.  Blackmon, executive for Justice and Local Church Ministries, was affirmed by 96 percent of Synod’s voting delegates.

The Rev. Cameron Barr, vice-chair of the UCC Board, which presented Rev. Blackmon for election, spoke just before the vote. He said the board walked with her through a careful review of her first term.

“We believe that she is called by God to continue leading us in local church ministry and in the pursuit of a just world for all,” Barr said. “We celebrate the achievements of Rev. Blackmon and the contributions of everyone in her team on JLCM. Together they have emboldened us in faith and strengthened the church.”

Barr pledged that the board would support Blackmon and labor alongside her during the next four years of her ministry.

After Blackmon’s overwhelming reelection, Moderator Penny Lowes offered a prayer of thanks for her leadership and care of the church.

“Eternal God, you have called Traci Blackmon to serve you in this household of faith and in the world which you have entrusted to our care. Send your Holy Spirit upon her so she may serve among us in honor and faithfulness.”

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be trusted by God and church to continue this incredible journey with hope and grace,” Blackmon said later. “I still believe. I still believe in God. I still believe in the mission of Jesus. I still believe in the power of the Holy Ghost. I still believe in the goodness of creation and all of humanity. I still believe in repentance and repair, hope and healing, lament and letting go. I still believe in redemption. I still believe in the church. I believe in you.

“I thank the General Synod of the United Church of Christ for believing we can be one and allowing me to keep believing with you!”