In one week our Commissioners and Delegates to the 226th General Assembly will travel to Salt Lake City to convene with other Presbyterians from around the country and the world.
As they travel they go with the prayers of the Presbytery pf Philadelphia.
The Rev. Peter Ahn
Rev. Peter Ahn is Supply Pastor of Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and Director of Chaplains at Philadelphia Protestant Home. Peter was born and raised in South Korea. and moved to the U.S. at the age of thirteen. He earned his B.Sc. from Colorado School of Mines in 2004, and M. Div. From Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2011. His ministerial experience is varied- he has interned in two NCD contexts, worked with youth and college age congregants, preached in English and in Korean, developed a youth summer curriculum, provides music at Welcome Church (a church without walls), serves in COM, has served in Administrative Commission, trained as a facilitator with Interfaith Leadership Institute, facilitated grief support, facilitates Northeast Interfaith Coalition,, and leads a small congregation. Peter loves playing trumpet and dancing with his wife, and likes to fish (ask about his bio picture). He is husband to Joy, and father to three amazing adolescents.
The Rev. Diane Fitch
Rev. Diane Fitch is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Springfield (Flourtown). She has strong roots in the area and within the Presbytery of Philadelphia. She was born and raised in Newtown, PA, and attended Newtown Presbyterian Church with her parents and grandparents. She is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and has served many churches within the Presbytery. Diane and her family reside in Maple Glen, Pa. Outside of work, Diane enjoys reading, cooking, music, hiking, art, photography and traveling. Diane’s husband, John, works for Microsoft. Her son, Josh, is studying Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University and daughter, Caroline, is studying Veterinary Nursing at Harcum College. Their family also includes their dog, Nala, and three cats, Tigger, Jet and Lily.
The Rev. Timothy Wotring
The Rev. Timothy Wotring was raised by a loving family in the Appalachian Mountains in Cumberland, Maryland. He pursued his studies in theology, obtaining a BA in Theology from Eastern University (2012) and an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in NYC (2016). Timothy branched away from his family’s tradition of Pentecostal and Methodist pastors to follow his own path guided by the Holy Spirit. In his journey, he served in various roles at several churches and organizations, including being a pastoral intern at Broadway Presbyterian Church in NYC, a worship leader for a campus ministry at Columbia University, a Spiritual Life Coordinator for the Youth Initiative at Broad Street Ministry, and a youth minister at a United Methodist Church in Havertown. Rev. Wotring was ordained and installed at Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase in August 2020. When he’s not serving his community, Timothy enjoys playing the guitar, spending time with his beloved wife, and reading theological works and fiction interchangeably.
Elder Commissioners
Elder Chawezi Mwantembe (Christs’ Community Church)
Chawezi Mwantembe grew up in Zambia, a country in Southern Africa. She then moved to England to pursue higher education and obtained a BA in Information Systems. In 1996, Chawezi relocated to the USA and continued her studies, earning an MBA from Rosemont College and an MA in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University, KS. Brought up in a Presbyterian household in Zambia, she has been a faithful member of Christ Community Church, Drexel Hill PA, for 27 years, where she serves as an ordained elder and a teacher. She enjoy teaching Seekers classes and a women study group, as she believe that we are all called to be disciples of Jesus and to share our testimonies of His work in our lives with others. In her professional career, with an IT background, she is currently working in the insurance industry as a Business Systems Analyst.
Elder Sharon Parker (Overbrook Presbyterian Church)
Sharon Parker is a congregant and staff member of Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Called to serve Overbrook as Parish Care Associate, Sharon’s role includes elder ministry, adult education, and spiritual outreach to the congregation. A career educator, Sharon has enjoyed 55 years as a Sunday School teacher, 32 years in public education, and two calls to global mission teaching. Following completion of academic studies at Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, and Widener University, Sharon served as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent of Schools in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and as Superintendent of Schools in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. Upon retirement from public education, Sharon was called to global mission and ministry. Commissioned by the ELCA, Sharon served as a seminary instructor at Martin Luther Seminary in Lae, Papua New Guinea. She continued in global mission as a seminary instructor at Tahan Theological College in Kalaymyo, Myanmar under the joint auspices of the PC(USA) and the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar. Sharon remains an active learner and is enrolled at Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. In service to the broader community, Sharon is a member of the Board of Interfaith Philadelphia, and an advocate for disability awareness and accessibility for all. While she has served in diverse roles throughout her life, the two that have brought Sharon Parker the greatest joy are those of mother and grandmother.
Elder Julie Stephenson (Holy Trinity-Bethlehem Presbyterian Church)
Julie Stephenson is a native of Philadelphia, PA. A member of Holy Trinity – Bethlehem Presbyterian Church where she has been installed as Deacon and Elder.
For more than thirty years she has served many ministries of the church, including the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Elder Stephenson is active in the National Black Presbyterian Caucus. Outside of church, she is a member of Soroptimist International a global organization that works for the empowerment of women and girls, SI Five Points Magneta, Philadelphia, local chapter. High school was completed at The United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, United Kingdom. Degrees earned: BA in Early Childhood Education from Point Park University and MS in Educational Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University. Certificate of completion received from New Life Bible Institute Missionary Training School. Thirty plus years were spent as educator, primarily in public education. Before retirement in 2013, an eight- month mission to Africa, as teacher in Zambia was a highlight of career. Julie is a proud mother of three daughters, and their partners, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD)
Carolyn Purdy (Gwynedd Square Presbyterian Church)
Carolyn Purdy of Lansdale, PA, is a senior Psychology student at Wilkes University. In college, she has been involved in the Honors Program, the Wilkes Dance Team as a captain, and Wilkes Adventure Education (WAE) program as a student coordinator. During her time at Wilkes, Carolyn has had the opportunity to adventure with WAE; most notably through belaying on the high ropes course and leading backpacking trips across the US. Her experience there helped her obtain a job in Montana last summer at an oncology camp as a Lifeguard and High Ropes Director. This sense of adventure was not just nurtured by her immediate family, but through her church family too. They taught Carolyn that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength;” that God’s love and faith is not experienced by just sitting on the couch but by going out of one’s comfort zone. The 11 summers she spent attending Kirkwood Camp also helped her take a ‘leap of faith’ through adventure.
The General Assembly (GA) is the largest expression of interconnectedness as Presbyterians. In addition to multiple opportunities to experience worship reflecting the diversity of who we are, GA is the embodiment of the value most distinct to our identity. Commissioners from all of our presbyteries discern and decide the sense of the Holy Spirit for the faithful witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in matters of common concern to the Church.
Our 3 elder commissioners, 3 minister commissioners, and 1 Young Adult Advisory Delegate have been assigned to one of the committees of the Assembly. These Committees make recommendations to the plenary on everything from the denomination’s structure and day-to-day governance to controversial issues in Church and culture throughout the world.
