Mother Delk, as she is respectfully known, was first Black woman ordained in the United Church of Christ, and the second woman to hold a national leadership role in the denomination. She has contributed to paradigm-shifting programs that focused on ecumenism, racial justice, anti-poverty, and the full inclusion of marginalized persons in religious life. She has received lifetime service awards from the UCC, the YWCA, and the Virginia Council of Churches, among other prestigious awards. Preaching in the Afro-Christian tradition, many consider her to be one of the best preachers in the world. In 2023, she edited and contributed to The Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ (Pilgrim Press), a groundbreaking history of a forgotten tradition within the UCC. Mother Delk continues to mentor other women leaders and advocate for LGBTQ participation in church leadership.

Mother Delk is joined in dialogue by Rev. Dr. Kelle Brown, senior Pastor of Plymouth UCC, and Rev. Joanne M. Braxton, PhD, the Braxton Institute for Sustainability, Resiliency and Joy.

Source: Yvonne V. Delk