A Pittsburgh Presbytery committee plans to pursue new charges against the Rev. Janet Edwards for officiating a wedding between two women in June 2005, a spokeswoman for the Oakland minister said Tuesday. Edwards and Pittsburgh church officials are negotiating to reach a resolution and the Presbytery could decide to not pursue the charges before Edwards’ case goes to trial, said Ashley Harness of New York-based Fenton Communications. Jay Lewis, the Pittsburgh Presbytery’s clerk, declined comment, saying it was an ongoing matter and no charges exist that are public information. Edwards triggered national controversy by presiding over the marriage of Brenda Cole and Nancy McConn at Community of Reconciliation church in Oakland. Thirteen Presbyterian ministers across the country ultimately signed a complaint against Edwards. The wedding fueled a continuing debate within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over whether same-sex marriage is acceptable. And it became an example some congregations pointed to when arguing that the national church has strayed from Scripture. Edwards, a parish associate at Community of Reconciliation, did not return a phone call. Harness released a statement from her. “While another trial now seems inevitable, along with it comes an opportunity for meaningful dialogue about how we can truly open our hearts and our doors to our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters,” Edwards said in the statement. “I know these conversations will not be easy, but I am hopeful because my Presbyterian tradition teaches me that it is only through dialogue and struggle together that something more beautiful and more pleasing to God can be born.” Cole and McConn could not be reached. The author of the November 2005 complaint, called an “accusation” in Presbyterian parlance, is the Rev. James Yearsley. He was then pastor of Mt. Hope Community Church in Penn Hills and now serves as pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Fla. Pittsburgh Presbytery officials dismissed that complaint and the ensuing trial on a technicality. Yearsley filed another. “Janet made a choice to officiate at that wedding in 2005 in the absolute understanding that she was violating the provisions of the constitution of the church,” Yearsley said yesterday. “Our constitution does not recognize marriage between same-sex partners. We are not permitted to officiate or participate in services for same-sex couples. Janet disagrees.” In her statement, Edwards said, “I believe with my whole heart that my decision to perform Nancy and Brenda’s wedding was faithful to my pastoral call. I did not arrive at the decision overnight. I spent many months in prayer.” The national office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville would become involved if Edwards appealed and that appeal went to the top, said the Rev. Jerry L. Van Marter, who heads the church’s news service.

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