Celebrating Kendra Buckwalter Smith’s Ordination

Posted on by Shadyside Presbyterian Church
The Reverend Dr. Edwin van Driel, Directors’ Bicentennial Associate Professor of Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the Reverend Kendra Buckwalter Smith, Worship Coordinator at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Photo by Christopher Ruth)
The Reverend Dr. Edwin van Driel, Directors’ Bicentennial Associate Professor of Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the Reverend Kendra Buckwalter Smith, Worship Coordinator at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Photo by Christopher Ruth)

On the afternoon of Sunday, April 30, the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ordained Kendra Buckwalter Smith in the Sanctuary of Shadyside Presbyterian Church as the worship coordinator of the chapel program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS). In addition to Rev. Todd Leach and Rev. Lynn Portz, participants included Elders Nathaniel Hunter and Percy Jackson, Rev. Gavin Walton, members of the Chancel Choir of Shadyside Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Dr. Edwin van Driel, PTS professor of theology and Kendra’s adviser for her master of sacred theology project. We rejoice with Kendra and the PTS community as they celebrate the beginning of Kendra’s ministry as Minister of Word and Sacrament. We thank God for the blessing Kendra has been — and continues to be — to our congregation since 2004, and for calling Kendra to service amongst us in Pittsburgh. Please join us in praying for God’s abundant blessings upon Kendra.

An album of photographs from the service of ordination has been published on Shadyside Presbyterian Church’s Facebook; you may view it here even if you do not have a Facebook account. (Photographs taken by Christopher Ruth.)

Learn more about Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith’s ministry at PTS.

Ordained teaching and ruling elders participate in the laying on of hands during the prayer of ordination for Kendra Buckwalter Smith on Sunday, April 30, at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. (Photo by Christopher Ruth.)
Ordained teaching and ruling elders participate in the laying on of hands during the prayer of ordination for Kendra Buckwalter Smith on Sunday, April 30, at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. (Photo by Christopher Ruth.)