The Rev. Bronwen Boswell Image Provided.
The Rev. Bronwen Boswell Image Provided.
The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly has announced that the Rev. Bronwen Boswell has been named Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Boswell, who is currently general presbyter/stated clerk at Shenandoah Presbytery, will serve until the election of a new stated clerk at the 226th General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah, next summer. She will fill the unexpired term of the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, who recently announced his decision to step down at the end of June.
"Despite the quick turnaround from the Stated Clerk’s announcement to when we needed to fill the Acting position, COGA was able to thoughtfully and intentionally review [Personal Information Forms] and resumes, as well as engage in generative conversations with potential candidates,” said Teaching Elder Eliana Maxim, COGA moderator. “It became quite apparent that Bronwen understood the unique complexities of this transitional position as well as had the experience to step into ongoing processes in preparation for the General Assembly next summer in Salt Lake City."
Boswell is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College and received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She has served in a number of presbytery and mid council leadership roles, as well as interim pastorates in the PC(USA). She is married to the Rev. Dr. Howard W. Boswell, Jr., pastor of Buena Vista Presbyterian Church in Buena Vista, Virginia. They have four children — three who are ordained deacons and the fourth is on the associate pastor nominating committee at his church.
Boswell says she is ready to begin her new role with the Office of the General Assembly.
“I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to serve the denomination in this way. It truly is a call, by COGA and the Holy Spirit,” she said. “I had looked at the possibility when it was first posted and thought that there were probably others best suited for the position, but I received a phone call that asked me to consider applying and I thought — what could that hurt? And lo and behold, here we are.”
Boswell joins the staff at a pivotal time in the denomination as the Office of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Mission Agency begin the move toward unification.
"Bronwen understands the framework of the OGA’s work as well as its values, responsibilities, and people,” said Maxim. “She will be a faithful leader and colleague in preparation for the upcoming Assembly and conversations with the Unification Commission."
Boswell will officially begin her new duties on July 10.
“My task, as I see it, as Acting Stated Clerk, is to be a bridge in this in between time of elected Stated Clerks, preparing General Assembly and working with the committees that will need to report to GA next year, specifically the Commission on Unification,” said Boswell. “My background as a presbytery stated clerk, mid-council leader and interim pastor along with my years as a parliamentarian for GA committees and plenary sessions should stand me in good stead as I seek to lead in this interim time with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.”