Rev. Janet McCune Edwards, Ph.D.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA of parents from generations of Presbyterian faithful, I was ordained in 1977 as Minister of Word and Sacrament and became an Instructor in Homiletics and Liturgics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  Seeking deeper experience in ministry, I then served Morningside Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Christ in McKeesport, PA and Mellwood Presbyterian Church, each for about three years.  I was elected Moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery in 1987.

With a physician spouse on call every third night and two sons, I paused in serving as the responsible pastor of a congregation and began attending with my family The Community of Reconciliation, an intentionally interracial, interdenominational and inclusive church in the heart of Pittsburgh’s university district.  Through the years at Community of Reconciliation, I have sung in the choir, taught toddler Sunday School, been interim co-pastor, and presently serve as a Parish Associate, assisting the pastor as needed.  When my children started school, I returned to Duquesne University and earned a Ph. D. in Spirituality with a call to be a “pray-er,” to find a way in this world to pray without ceasing.

Called to the ministry of reconciliation and inclusion, I joined the Taskforce on Ministry with Sexual Minorities of Pittsburgh Presbytery in 2000.  My participation in the work of this taskforce led to being asked by Nancy McConn and Brenda Cole to officiate at their June 2005 marriage ceremony.  After a year of prayerful discernment and preparation, I presided at the joyous ceremony celebrating Brenda and Nancy’s sacred love and commitment to each other. The Presbyterian Church (USA) tried and then acquitted me in the fall of 2008 for officiating at Nancy and Brenda’s wedding.

In November of 2008, I became co-moderator of the national board of More Light Presbyterians seeking to grow the ever-expanding conversation about the inclusion of our GLBT sisters and brothers in Christ. My hope is that this Web site, TimetoEmbrace.com, will offer us another space, an online space, for respectful dialogue and reconciliation.