Other declared candidates for Stated Clerk announced

LOUISVILLE, May 8, 2008 – The Stated Clerk Nomination Committee announced today that three applicants, the Reverend Winfield Jones, the Reverend Edward Koster and the Reverend Dr. William Tarbell have declared to the committee that each intends to stand for Stated Clerk of the General Assembly against the committee’s nominee, the Reverend Gradye Parsons.

The election for Stated Clerk will take place at the General Assembly meeting, June 21-28, in San Jose, Calif.

The Rev. Jones has served since 1979 as pastor in Presbyterian churches in Texas and is currently pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Pearland, Texas. Jones has served on several presbytery committees and was a candidate for Stated Clerk of the General Assembly in 2000.

The Rev. Koster has served since 1995 as the Stated Clerk of Detroit Presbytery. He was pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Mich., for 10 years (1976-86) and is currently parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. Koster is also an attorney in private practice since 1992.

The Rev. Dr. Tarbell has served since 1975 as pastor for several Presbyterian churches in South Dakota, Oregon, Wyoming, Missouri and South Carolina. He is currently pastor of the Saluda Presbyterian Church in Saluda, S.C.

Jones, Koster, Tarbell and Parsons were among 14 persons who applied to the Stated Clerk Nomination Committee to be considered for Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. After a review and interview process, the committee announced on April 3, 2008, the selection of Parsons, associate stated clerk of the General Assembly, as its nominee to recommend to the 218th General Assembly. The other applicants had until May 7 (45 days before the start of the General Assembly meeting) to declare to the committee their intention to also stand for Stated Clerk. Jones, Koster and Tarbell did so by written letter to the committee.

As provided for in the standing rules of the General Assembly, a packet of information prepared by each candidate will be available to commissioners, advisory delegates and others by the beginning of the General Assembly meeting. The Office of the General Assembly will post it on PC-biz through the General Assembly Web site, as well as distribute printed copies. It will also be posted on the Stated Clerk Nomination Committee Web page.