Introducing the Reverend Dr. John A. Dalles

Session Engages Interim Senior Pastor

With thanksgiving to God, Shadyside Presbyterian Church enthusiastically announces the selection of the Reverend Dr. John A. Dalles to serve as Interim Senior Pastor. Last week, Session approved the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee to retain Dr. Dalles as Interim Senior Pastor; this action has been approved subsequently by the Pittsburgh Presbytery, and Dr. Dalles has joyfully accepted the appointment.

Presently, Dr. Dalles serves as the senior pastor and head of staff at Wekiva Presbyterian Church in Longwood, Florida. He also has served congregations in South Bend, Indiana, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, including Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Lancaster Theological Seminary, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he has spent more than thirty-five years as a teaching elder and minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). A lifelong Presbyterian, John has authored numerous hymn texts, including “Come, O Spirit” and “God, Bless Your Church with Strength,” which appear in the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal. Read a full biography of Dr. Dalles.

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Dalles and his wife Judith to Shadyside in mid-February. Both are excited to return to Pittsburgh for life, work, and service to our church.

We are grateful for the efforts of the Interim Ministry Search Committee — Jayne Adair Cox; Carla M. Gedman; Robert B. Luthultz; Terrence H. Murphy; and Carey T. Vinson, chair — in identifying a candidate for interim ministry. Most especially, we are grateful to God for sending Dr. Dalles to walk alongside us during this time and to help in preparing our congregation for our next senior pastor.