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Taylor elected
Annual Meeting votes in first female Minister and PresidentJuly/August, 2001
The delegates to the 202nd Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference enthusiastically voted to call Rev. Dr. Nancy S. Taylor as the next Minister and President, approving her selection by a unanimous vote that was followed by a five-minute standing ovation.
Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor addresses the 202nd Annual Meeting before being elected Conference Minister and President.
Taylor, previously a church pastor and human rights activist in Idaho, will begin on Sept. 1st.
Taylor preached at Friday’s worship and then was introduced to the Meeting by the Board of Directors and the search committee.
She spoke about what skills she could bring the Conference, and emphasized her faith. “I have been told you are looking for a person who is, above all else, a person of faith,” Taylor said. “This is my life. This is who I am. I am a person who seeks to live in the presence of God. God informs my life and my work.”
More information:
Biographical information on Rev. Taylor
Taylor talked about her respect for both the congregational roots of the Conference and the forward looking direction of the United Church of Christ, and also talked abut her dedication to ecumenism. And, she emphasized her experience working with the media, delivering speeches, speaking at press conferences and addressing the political establishment on issues of conscience.
“I have been informed that you are seeking a person who has a public voice, someone willing and able to speak publicly on behalf of the United Church of Christ,” she said. “As a disciple of Jesus, I take seriously the call to handle aright the Word of God, whether from a pulpit, in a meeting, or at a press conference. Words are powerful.”
Taylor also said that while she values the importance of administration, her main role is to be a pastor.
“I am first and foremost a pastor, one who understands and honors the work of the local church, and who believes – deeply believes – that the local church is the primary location of ministry in the UCC,” she said.
Newly elected Conference Minister and President Nancy Taylor (right) and outgoing Interim Minister and President Erwin Bode serve communion during worship at Mount Holyoke College's Abbey Chapel. Throughout the evening, Taylor displayed a keen sense of humor that kept the crowd laughing and engaged. Asked why she was interested in coming to the Conference, she replied: “it’s the best Conference, isn’t it?” and then said “When one receives a letter from the flagship Conference, one pays attention.” She then added that her feeling of call developed over the course of the search process.
Christina Braudaway-Bauman, chair of the search committee, introduced Taylor, and said her committee’s decision was clear and made with joy.
“It was her voice – her speaking, her writing, her praying and her preaching – that particularly moved us,” she said. “Nancy’s voice is not only clear, it is courageous. What she says and does changes the world.”
Taylor has just finished serving as senior pastor of the First Congregational Church, UCC, in Boise, Idaho, where she is known for her work on social justice issues. She also just completed a term as the Moderator of General Synod.
