Late this past week a fifth individual announced her candidacy for Moderator of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Teaching Elder Janet Edwards has become the fifth candidate to stand for the office.
She has chosen as her theme “Forward Together With Courage” and on her candidacy web site she has a slightly different spin on the process and office. She says (emphasis hers):
As I have pondered this notion of “standing for moderator,” another
meaning of the phrase has emerged for me: that the whole church stand
for the office of the moderator.That means, for me, that we all embody the leadership, unity, and
hope that are so central to our church family and our Presbyterian
tradition.[…]
My hope is to engage us all in moving forward, together, into the
future God is preparing for us, by doing this work together here and
now. And if we all can stand together in this way, just imagine what
power we will have to proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed!
She has structured her web site on the three on-going official tasks of the Moderator – Upholding the church through prayer, telling the story of the church’s life and being a bond of unity. In addition, she has the usual sections on My Call and Connecting with her. She makes good use of videos throughout the site.
In terms of connecting, she also has her Twitter handle (@revjanetedwards), a Facebook Page and her YouTube channel. In addition to blogging on the Moderator site she has her previous regular blog “A Time To Embrace.”
The Rev. Edwards made the news a couple weeks ago when her presbytery, Pittsburgh Presbytery – the host presbytery for GA – voted 144-85 to not endorse her for the position of Moderator. She is also known for her service as Co-Moderator of More Light Presbyterians and being cleared of charges she officiated a same-sex ceremony that was presented as a marriage ceremony.
There is additional coverage of her announcement from the Presbyterian Outlook, the Layman and More Light Presbyterians. Update: Presbyterian News Service article is out (Murphy’s law – they posted their just as I was posting mine)
In other GA Moderator news, candidate Sue Krummel has become the first to announce the selection of a Vice-Moderator candidate — the Rev. Dr. Sanghyuan James Lee. Teaching Elder Lee is pastor of Korean Community Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. He also actively serves in positions in his presbytery and with the National Council of Korean Presbyterian Church.
So, the field currently has five teaching elder candidates for Moderator and one teaching elder named as a Vice-Moderator running mate. I think I have said enough.
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Dr. Janet Edwards / Recommendation for Moderator of the General Assembly – Pittsburgh June 30 – July 7, 2012
My name is Chip Crawford. I am a Ruling Elder of the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh Pa.. I’m responding to the comment about Dr Edwards ministry. Although Janet is a living example of reformation and social justice the matter of moderator is one of facilitation competency and a Christ centered presense. I recommend Dr. Janet Edwards for moderator of the General Assembly. There are few people in the history of the Pittsburgh Presbytery as qualified for the role of Moderator as Dr. Edwards. Janet has served the church as disciple, and the community as citizen, for over 30 years. Janet’s curriculum vitae of ministry is evidence of love of the Lord, discipleship, and keen intellect. What qualifies Janet as much as her credentials are her talents and skills as a Moderator. Those who know Janet regardless of theology, polity, or practice know this:
•Janet puts Christ first
•she is a great listener and respects ‘the other’ even when the others point of view is worlds apart from her own
•she has an open and inquisitive mind
•she is carries with her the spirit of reformation
•she is rational, balanced and fair minded
•Janet is a bridge builder and healer
•she is clear and certain, yet calm
•she knows the rules (as in Roberts) which are essential for effective moderation
•she is meticulously prepared
•Janet is ‘called’ to this role by The One who loves us all
•Janet would represent the Pittsburgh Presbytery and our community of faith where, when it is all said and done, as Pittsburgh Presbyterians we will be both grateful and proud
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
Janet follows this commandment every day of her life. Please join your brothers and sisters in affirming Dr. Edwards as Moderator for the General Assembly.
When are YOU going to stand for moderator, steve?? =)
Thanks for the info
I am discerning the call… But as a ruling elder I am trying to figure out how to put a good chunk of my life on hold for two years.
Thanks for asking.