“A New Christianity”

Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith

One of the deepest desires of the human heart is to belong to a community (or a faith) that affirms and values who he/she/they are. A growing number of communities of belonging, pursuing personal, spiritual and social transformation are forming around dinner tables, gyms and other locations; while attendance in mainline churches continues to decline.

However, there is good news for the church as a new Christianity is emerging amidst the decline. Research findings from How We Gather, a collaboration between Harvard Divinity School, the Fetzer Institute and On Being, offers key insights about new ways of embodying what it means to accept God’s claim upon us and our claim upon each other in Christian community.

The Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith currently serves as the Conference Minister and President of Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Dr. Dawkins-Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

Prior to her election to serve as Conference Minister in 2016, she provided pastoral leadership for two churches in the Conference: historic Salem United Church in downtown Harrisburg PA (2008-2012) and Faith United Church of Christ (2013-2016), an open and affirming congregation in downtown State College, PA.

Rev. Dr. Dawkins-Smith currently serves the wider church in various leadership positions: Lancaster Theological Seminary Board of Trustees (Executive Committee), Cabinet member for UCC Council of Conference Ministers, Pennsylvania Council of Churches (Executive Committee) and on the United Church of Christ Council for Theological Education.

She holds a B.A. in Psychology, a Master of Divinity (’07) and Doctor of Ministry (’16) from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Her doctoral dissertation focused on “Revitalizing Churches through Christian Practices: Discernment and Social Justice.”

Prior to a vocation in ministry, Rev. Dr. Dawkins-Smith served in management positions in sales, marketing and in training and development roles across several industries (pharmaceutical, manufacturing, banking and non-profits).