Pastor of First Presbyterian in Orlando announces retirement The Layman Online Thursday, December 5, 2002 Dr. Howard Edington has announced his decision to retire after 21 years as senior minister of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, a 5,500-member congregation that is one of the largest churches in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Under his leadership, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, known as the Heart of the City because of its downtown location, has been a religious, social and community leader in Orlando for more than two decades. "After an incredible ministry here of nearly 21 years, I am announcing my intent to formally retire from this great church, effective January 31, 2003," Edington said. "Trish and I have thought long and prayed hard about this step and we believe that God's guiding hand is upon us now as it always has been. Retirement will free us up for more quality family time and for new avenues of service to Jesus Christ." Asked to reflect on his ministry spanning two decades plus, Edington said, "Much has been accomplished here over these last two decades. I am truly grateful to God for calling me here, for granting me the privilege of fulfilling more dreams than I could ever have imagined and for allowing me to love and be loved by the thousands of people who have been a part of this ministry since 1982." Under Edington's leadership, First Presbyterian members minister to Central Florida through 175 ministry areas, including an Infant/Child Care Center; Weekday School preschool; The Christ School (an elementary and middle school); youth ministry; divorce recovery program; international students ministry; After School Outreach Ministry; Music & Arts ministry; dynamic and innovative Sunday Schools for children, youth and adults; and a multifaceted Recreation Ministry that touches people of all ages and circumstances. Edington is a member of the board of the Outreach Foundation, a mission organization that serves the PCUSA; the Montreat College Board of Trustees, which he chairs; and the Coalition, which seeks to uphold biblical standards of the denomination. Edington's book, Downtown Church: The Heart of the City, was published in 1996 by Abingdon Press. His sermons are televised weekly on The Certain Sound, seen throughout Central Florida and Metropolitan Atlanta. His latest book, The Forgotten Man of Christmas, was published in November 1999. A graduate of Rhodes College and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Edington was ordained into the gospel ministry in 1967 by the Presbytery of Mobile, Alabama. He has served pastorates at First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore, Texas; the Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C.; and First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff, Ark..

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