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You are Invited to Attend the Ecclesiastical Council for Tonya Barnett and Rev. Dr. Valencia Jackson on Thursday, June 24th at 5:00 pm EDT / 4:00 pm CDT
The Commission on Ministry invites you to the Ecclesiastical Councils of Tonya Barnett and Rev. Dr. Valencia Jackson on Thursday, June 24th at 5:00 pm Eastern / 4:00 pm Central on Zoom. Ecclesiastical Councils (ECs) are the last step in the process for both Members in Discernment and for Ministers transferring their credentials to the United Church of Christ from another denomination called the Privilege of Call. As part of the EC, you, members of the Southeast Conference, will have the opportunity to listen to the work of the Spirit and vote to Ordain Tonya Barnett and transfer Rev. Dr. Valencia Jackson’s Ordination to the United Church of Christ.
The EC will be held online and you can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclc-muqjMpGtA05ao0T7H38JicesM46yrm
Tonya grew up in Big Stone Gap, VA, and moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee many years ago. After finding her community at Church of the Savior UCC, she started preparing for ministry – first through the PATHWAYS program, then at Lexington Theological Seminary. After her first year of seminary, she became the Minister for Youth and Children at Church of the Savior and still serves in that capacity. In 2019, she received her Master of Theological Studies from LTS. She lives with her spouse, Poinsettia Byrd, and their fur babies-Sadie and Gigi. Tonya loves books and reading, being outdoors, and interior decorating projects. She is passionate about social justice (especially for our immigrant neighbors and for folks in the LGBTQIA+ community) and believes that teaching and modeling faith-based advocacy and service for our peers and our youth are essential components for bringing change. You can read more about Tonya’s journey to ministry here.
Reverend Dr. Valencia T. Jackson was born in Atlanta Georgia. Reverend Jackson was educated in Atlanta Public Schools. She graduated from Feldwood High School, College Park GA. Reverend Jackson completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Piedmont College, Demorest Georgia. Reverend Jackson earned a master’s degree from The University of Georgia in Social Work. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Jackson earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago Illinois.
Reverend Jackson is a Certified Professional Rehabilitation Practitioner. She is a published author. Reverend Jackson has a published sermon in the Review & Expositor Journal entitled, “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” She has written a devotional that can be found in the “Reflections Daily Guide, 120 Daily Devotionals, January – April 2017.
Reverend Jackson’s latest published sermon entitled, “Hoping against Hope” can be found in T. B. Slater, Afrocentric Interpretations of Paul, and the Pauline Tradition (Edwin Mellen Press, 2018), pp. 33-38. Reverend Jackson served as the Ministerial Examination Committee Coordinator for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church- Atlanta Rome District for 10 years. Reverend Jackson served as a facilitator for the Christian Training Institute for the 6th Episcopal District for two years. Reverend Jackson has served as an adjunct professor in Spiritual Formation at Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Black Women in Leadership Fellow. Reverend Jackson is a Thompson Scholar.
Reverend Jackson was an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix for five years. She taught World Religions. Reverend Jackson was an adjunct professor at DeVry University for 15 years. She taught Comparative Religions, Workplace Culture and Communication, and Culture and Society. She has been featured in the New York Times. Reverend Jackson has been featured in the Gospel Today Magazine. Reverend Jackson served eight years as youth minister at Butler Street CME Church, Atlanta GA. Reverend Jackson was elected clergy delegate to the 2010 Christian Methodist Episcopal Church General Conference held in Mobile Alabama.
Reverend Jackson’s first pastoral assignment was at New Horizon Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Locust Grove Georgia. She pastored New Horizon for one year. Her second pastoral assignment was Livingston Chapel CME Church, Covington Georgia. Reverend Jackson pastored Livingston Chapel for five years. Reverend Jackson’s third pastoral assignment was at Bethel Grove CME Church, Griffin Georgia. She pastored Bethel Grove for six years.
Reverend Jackson believes that people can be changed by, “The renewing of their minds.” Further, she believes that the church should be dedicated to teaching and practical application in order for the church to grow and for the people of God to grow. You can learn more about Dr. Jackson’s ministry here.
