Co-Moderators of the General Assembly

Q: The Rev. Cecelia Armstrong

Cecelia &quot;Cece&quot; Armstrong is the youngest of five children born and raised in Detroit. She was confirmed at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Detroit and has held membership at New Life Presbyterian Church in College Park, Georgia, and Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia.She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Spelman College in Atlanta and her Master of Arts in Education for Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on Secondary Mathematics at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Cecelia went on to receive her Master of Divinity at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta. She was ordained as a deacon and elder at Belle-Terrace and a minister of the Word andSince that time, Cecelia has served in a number of church leadership positions across Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. In addition, she has participated in various committees and commissions on ministry, served as co-moderator of the National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen.She has been a contributing writer for Presbyterians Today magazine, as well as the Presbyterian Outlook and more.“Through others, I learned of my call to service from affirmations at Calvary PC(USA); however, I had no intentions of ever serving in the capacity of a pastor,” Cecelia said. “It was the Rev. Dr. James H. Costen who spoke over our youth visiting ITC and said, ‘One of you will return to this very place.’ God chose me. I would be the one.”

GA226 Co-Moderators Cece Armstrong and Tony Larson

Rev. Cecelia Armstrong & Rev. Tony Larson

Co-Moderators of the 226th General Assembly (2024)
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

A Message from the Co-Moderators

"When we Live into Hope, then we have a reason to shout 'Hallelujah,' on purpose, everyday!

Once we acknowledge that Live Into Hope is an active way of responding to God’s grace and mercy, then we can do what is necessary to press forward in ways that we may or may not have moved previously on our varied journeys. Acknowledging Ephesians 5:15-20 to call the church to Luke 4:16-20, requires us to respond to one major question: How does the church LIVE?"

Get to Know the Co-Moderators

The Rev. Cecelia Armstrong

The Rev. Anthony Larson

Anthony "Tony" Larson was born in Minneapolis and raised in North Carolina. The son of a Presbyterian minister, he was confirmed at Rocky River Presbyterian Church near Harrisburg, North Carolina.

As a student at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, Anthony served in the student congress as a representative, finance committee chair and speaker. He also served on the leadership team of Presbyterian Campus Ministry at UNC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Public Policy Analysis and Religious Studies.

While serving as director of youth ministries at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, Anthony began to discern a call to ministry. He received his Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

Anthony has served in a number of capacities, including co-leader of the Synod Youth Council for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, which planned the Synod Youth Leadership Development Event, an annual gathering to equip youth to be leaders in the church, as well as skill development for youth ministry professionals. He has also served as a planning team member for Montreat Youth Conference.

Anthony’s first pastorate was with Springs Community Presbyterian Church in East Hampton, New York. He is currently serving as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Surfside, South Carolina, and is enrolled in Doctor of Ministry studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He has been married for 16 years to wife Heather, father by adoption to her son, Stephen Larson, and recently became grandfather to Nora James Larson. Anthony describes himself as a “semi-professional nerd” and backs that up as a Level 50 Pokémon Go Trainer, captain of the RogueRev Trivia Team and is officially sorted into House Ravenclaw. He loves to cook, listen to jazz, and spoil his cat and dog.

“The story of my life and faith is one of being called by God through the voices of others,” Anthony said. “In each chapter of my life story, there have been people who sensed a place where my gifts and the needs of community overlapped, and they named my gifts and challenged me to develop and use them as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Schedule a Visit with the Co-Moderators

During their two-year term, the Co-Moderators of the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will "serve as ambassadors of unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, telling the story of the church's life and upholding the people of God through prayer" (Standing Rules, H.1.a.(5)).

Submit a request for CeCe or Tony to participate in an event

Download and fill out the request form

CO-MODERATOR VISIT REQUEST FORM

and send the completed form to:

your synod and
Meg Rift by email (meg.rift@pcusa.org)
or mail to:
Office of the General Assembly
Attn: Meg Rift
100 Witherspoon St.
Louisville, KY 40202

Synods have been asked to develop itineration within their bounds for the Moderator. Sharing this form with your synod will inform them that you have requested a visit so that they might include your visit in the plans.