The Rev. John Wilkinson, nominee for moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has invited the Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, pastor of Idylwood Presbyterian Church in Falls Church, Va., to stand with him as a candidate for General Assembly vice-moderator.

Dana, a member and teaching elder commissioner of National Capital Presbytery, has served Idylwood Church since 2009. Previously, she served as associate pastor at Burke (Va.) Presbyterian Church. The Texas native graduated from Rice University and Columbia Theological Seminary.

Wilkinson said, “I am excited about MaryAnn’s willingness to serve and the vision and leadership that she will bring to our shared undertaking. She is a creative, thoughtful, hopeful, relational leader. Her strength in written and verbal communication is built upon a deep faith and considerable pastoral giftedness.”

Dana responded, “It is a joy and an honor to stand with John at this pivotal time in the life of our denomination. I look forward to helping articulate a vision for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is grounded in our tradition, yet infused with the Holy Spirit's power to speak a vibrant word for the current and future church.”

The General Assembly meets June 14-21in Detroit. The moderator election will be held on the evening of June 14. Two other candidates for moderator have been announced: Ruling Elder Heath Rada of Western North Carolina Presbytery and the Rev. Kelly Allen of Mission Presbytery.