On behalf of the Transition Team and Executive Board, we joyously celebrate the news of the Transitional Conference Minister.
Having sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit and believing that God has called us to share in a mutual and common ministry in Christ, the people of the Southwest Conference, United Church of Christ, of the Executive Board (EB) voted to enter into covenant with Rev. Dr. Altonnette (Toni) Hawkins to become our Transitional Conference Minister (TCM) beginning January 1, 2023.
This is a full-time position for a period of 12-18 months, with the option to continue as mutually agreed upon by the TCM and the EB. At the end of the specified time, or at a time mutually agreed upon between the TCM and EB, the TCM may be brought forward by the EB to the delegates at an Annual or Special Meeting of the Conference to be voted upon as the Settled Conference Minister. The TCM shall carry out the functions of the Conference Minister as chief executive, administrative officer, and spiritual leader of the Conference, according to Conference policies and bylaws
Welcome Dr. Toni to the Southwest Conference. We know that God is doing a 'new thing' and we are ready and open to perceive it together. (Isaiah 43:19)
Thank you for your prayerful support of the Transition Team and Executive Board. Thank you Transition Team and Executive Board for your work.
Susan Valiquette, Moderator
The Rev. Dr. Altonnette D. Hawkins, fondly known as Dr. Toni, is an ordained minister dually aligned in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is an adjunct faculty member at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS) and Lexington Theological Seminary. She co-authored an article in the Journal of Social Work & Christianity entitled, Caregiving for African American Elders: A Pastoral Perspective. She is author of two self-care books. Toni has been mentoring seminarians and members in discernment for more than 10 years as a field education supervisor, an Under Care mentor in the DOC, and advisor in the former In Care and current Member in Discernment processes in the UCC.
Dr. Hawkins is a licensed pastoral counselor, a certified conflict mediation and negotiation coach, and DEI facilitator. She received training at the Harvard University School of Law, Executive Education Program on Negotiation and Dispute Resolution. Also, she trained in conflict transformation through the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Anti-Racism and Pro-Reconciliation Training Team.
In addition, she teaches online courses and offers coaching for leadership development, ministry support, and entrepreneurial ministry startups at MPACT.online (Ministerial Practices Accountability Coaching & Training) through cohorts and independent study. The courses cover a variety of subject matter that prepare individuals and groups for greater transformation and service. She leads two online groups: a Facebook group, Exploring Racial Bias and a Meetup group, Exploring Racial Bias for Trainers, Leaders, and Supporters.
She has served as a local pastor in the DOC and the UCC in the states of Maryland and Kentucky. She is an Associate Conference Minister in the Indian Kentucky Conference of the UCC. Her work extends to individuals and groups to help them define their 'Why' and develop a vision for functioning at their optimal best. Dr. Hawkins’ expertise centers around ministry, ministry authorization and oversight, process improvement, relational and organizational conflict, adaptive leadership, and creating a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. Through assessments, training, and consultations, she helps organizations and individuals clearly define the problem, determine where they currently are, clarify the desired goal, and assess the gaps to achieving their desired outcomes.
Presently, she is the Fundraising chairperson for the Franklinton Center at Bricks, a UCC- affiliated, Justice and Witness Retreat Center in Whitakers, NC. In addition, she is among those listed in Who’s Who in Louisville: African American Profiles. She serves on a variety of local, regional, and national boards.
She earned a B.A. in Public Administration from Rutgers University, a M.Div. at Howard University School of Divinity, and a D. Min at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Dr. Hawkins is the mother of two adult sons, three grandchildren, and her heartbeat is her 90-year-old mother, fondly known as Mom Diva. Her guiding scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 and favorite saying is "the best is yet to come!"