Eden Black Alumni Association

My latest offering. I was so humbled by having, Ruby Sales, a civil rights icon that I met at Eden Seminary during Ferguson name me, along with others including my sister Pastor in Residence, Rev. Traci Blackmon ‘09 as those she was passing the torch too. You can read my reflections here.

Carrying and Passing Torches! Running in the in Middle

Friends have you shared a donation? Until noon today there is a 4-1 match!

A Seminary Education to Meet the Moment - Pastor in the Public Square Eden Leadin’ Giving DayTwenty-Four Hours, Noon-to-NoonMay 27-28, 2026 “A Seminary Education to Meet the Moment”Invest in Leaders Worth Following At Eden, we combine theological rigor with community action. Students learn in the classroom, the pulpit, the community, and the streets. Our blended...

Congratulations to Rev. Sonya Vann Eden Class of 2015. She was ordained yesterday in the UCC. Pic compliments of Rev. Traci Blackmon Class of 09, who preached the ordination. Rev. LaVetta J. Ross Class of 15 also participated! To GOD be the Glory!

What a blessing!!!! Congratulations to our beloved sister Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker!!!! “This is the Lord doings and it is marvelous in our sight!”

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker on this well-deserved promotion and achievement of tenure at Eden Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. Baker’s leadership, scholarship, and commitment to community-centered theological education continue to shape and inspire students, colleagues, and the wider church. Her work in Community Leadership and Practical Theology reflects Eden’s mission of preparing leaders who are becoming the church for the world.

Please join us in celebrating this significant milestone and honoring the impact Rev. Dr. Baker continues to make through her teaching, mentorship, and ministry.

Congratulation Eden Class of 2026!

Congrats to Sonya Vann Class of 2015! We are praying for her and the congregation during this time of discernment!

Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ,

As mentioned in previous editions of our EVoice, the Council voted at our Church Council Retreat on March 14th to begin the search for what is called a “Designated Interim Associate Minister." This person will cover the responsibilities outlined in our Associate Minister job description for an intentional period of 12-18 months, while we take time to discern the Spirit’s leading regarding future staffing models.

The By-Laws of the church allow for the Church Council to serve as the search and hiring committees for Interim Minister positions. With that in mind, the Church Council is extremely excited to announce that Pastor Sonya Vann has accepted a call to become our Designated Interim Associate Minister. Sonya is well known and respected within the United Church of Christ and the Missouri Mid-South Conference. You can learn more about Sonya by reading her bio below.

While Sonya is being called to serve St. Peter’s as an Interim, being named as “Designated” allows her to be considered for the permanent settled position should that be the direction we are led.

Sonya’s first day with us at St. Peter’s will be Tuesday, May 5, 2026. However, you will have an opportunity to meet and welcome Sonya on Sunday, May 3, as she will be serving as pulpit supply while Pastor Patrick is away on vacation.

I know you will join me as we welcome Pastor Sonya to our ministry at St. Peter’s!

With Deep Gratitude,

Pastor Patrick

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Bio for Pastor Sonya Vann

SONYA JANEEN VANN is a visionary leader, strategic architect, and fierce advocate for faith-based and nonprofit organizations committed to transformation, justice, and community impact. With a rare ability to bridge theology and strategy, Sonya partners with pastors, congregations, and nonprofit leaders to restore clarity, renew purpose, and rebuild systems—guiding organizations to align their mission and vision with sustainable, forward-thinking practices that fuel both spiritual transformation and tangible community development.

As a trusted consultant and the founding General Manager for KPVF Radio, Sonya stepped in at a pivotal moment following FCC approval of its three-year construction permit. She not only secured critical funding through grant writing, but also led the strategic development of infrastructure, researched and sourced broadcast equipment, and designed the operational blueprint for this groundbreaking United Church of Christ initiative—positioning it as a powerful voice for progressive faith in the public sphere.

In her role as the immediate past Executive Director of Central Reform Congregation, Sonya led with both precision and heart—guiding the congregation back to vibrant, consistent worship while revitalizing its community engagement efforts. She also ushered the organization into a new era of innovation by implementing a Salesforce-based CRM system, modernizing operations, and strengthening its capacity for connection and growth.

A trailblazer in theological education, Sonya served as the first Executive Director of PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., where she helped shape a fully online platform equipping lay leaders for diverse pathways to ordination within the UCC and beyond. During her six-year tenure at Eden Theological Seminary, she served as Director within the Walker Leadership Institute, where she designed curriculum and authored accreditation materials for the groundbreaking Master of Community Leadership (MCL) degree—an innovative program merging theological formation with nonprofit leadership and organizational strategy.

Sonya earned her Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in 2015, graduating with Honors and receiving the prestigious Grauer Award for exceptional promise in preaching and pastoral care. She continues to deepen her scholarship and impact, preparing to pursue a Doctor of Ministry with a focus on Womanist Theology. Her emerging work— “Creating Womanist Pedagogy of Communal Empowerment through Personal Narratives of Liberation”—reflects her commitment to developing transformative, liberative theological frameworks grounded in lived experience.

A history-maker and bridge-builder, Sonya served as Sabbatical Pastor at First Congregational UCC of Webster Groves, becoming the first African American woman to serve as Senior Pastor in the congregation’s history. Her leadership extends beyond the pulpit into the broader community, where she has served as Secretary of the Missouri Mid-South Conference Board of Directors, Vice President and Governance Chair for CORE Collective at St. Vincent’s, and Program Director for the St. Louis Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.—continually advocating for youth, justice, and community empowerment.

Though rooted in the United Church of Christ, Sonya’s voice resonates far beyond denominational boundaries. She is a sought-after ecumenical and interfaith preacher, teacher, and facilitator who creates sacred spaces where theology comes alive—engaging hearts, challenging systems, and transforming lives. She leads a thriving online Womanist Bible Study and is expanding her reach through podcasting—one of her greatest joys—as she invites broader audiences into conversations of faith, justice, and liberation.

At the core of Sonya’s life and work is a deep and unwavering commitment to embodying the expansive love of God. Her ministry is anchored in the prophetic call of Micah 6:8: “Do justice. Embrace faithful love. Walk humbly with your God.”

And in everything she builds, leads, and imagines—Sonya does exactly that.