Lynn Carter-Edmands

Nominee for Clergy Deputy to the 81st General Convention

Please describe your participation in the life of your congregation, the diocese, and the larger community.

My participation in the diocese began as rector of St. James Church, Columbus (Clintonville) in 2006. From there I served eight years as a member of Bishop Breidenthal’s staff, beginning in 2012 as Canon for Formation and Transitions and concluding my ministry on the bishop’s staff as Canon to the Ordinary. After nearly 30 years of ordained ministry, I am presently a pensioned priest (we don’t really retire, do we?) who serves part-time as priest associate at All Saints Church, New Albany. Besides my parish and diocesan staff positions, I was a member of COCL and the COM and have mentored a number of persons in the ordination process. I have served the larger church as the diocesan ecumenical officer, Province V board representative, Transition Ministry Officer, and as a deputy to the 80th General Convention this past summer. As a deputy to General Convention, I was appointed by the president of the House of Deputies to Legislative Committee 03 (Title IV Disciplinary Canons) to review resolutions for consideration at Convention.

Why do you feel God is calling you to serve in this position?

As Canon to the Ordinary, one of my responsibilities was to pay attention to the canons as we lived and moved and had our being as a diocese, and to advise the bishop concerning the canons. Additionally, I have brought clarity of the Title IV disciplinary canons in my capacity as a consultant and advisor to others in the wider church involved with Title IV proceedings. This past summer, I was one of three Southern Ohio deputies who submitted eight resolutions concerning the disciplinary canons to the 80th General Convention. The resolutions addressed some of the gaps in the disciplinary canons that only time and experience could reveal to us. With consent of both Houses of Convention the resolutions were referred to an interim body for further review in preparation for General Convention in 2024. I was asked by the bishop co-chair of the legislative committee concerning Title IV to apply for appointment to the interim body to continue the Title IV work that is in process.

Election as a deputy to the 81st General Convention in 2024 will provide me the opportunity to continue the constructive work I began for the past convention. I will also then be able to speak to convention, as necessary, regarding the Title IV work that will be prepared for consideration.

I am a follower of Jesus who is trying, with God’s help, to follow Jesus where he leads. Given my experience, the encouragement of others to continue the work of Title IV revision, and the time I have available for this ministry, I believe God is calling me – and clearly leading me – to serve as a deputy to General Convention in 2024. I would be honored to represent Southern Ohio once again, and I thank you for your consideration.