Celebrating Our New Co-Moderators

The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is proud to announce the election of the Rev. Matt Gaventa and Slats Toole as Co-Moderators of our Board of Directors. They will lead the 24-member board in setting direction, overseeing programming, and collaborating with staff toward fulfillment of CNP's mission of strengthening the church by deepening its welcome and affirmation of LGBTQIA+ people. They begin this work as the country confronts increasing anti-transgender legislation, discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation remains rampant around the world and global Church, and as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) remains far from fully realizing equity for LGBTQIA+ people.Slats and Matt took the reins at the Board's March 2023 meeting, succeeding the Rev. Jenny McDevitt and the Rev. Lucy Strong, who led as co-moderators through the pandemic and beyond with faithfulness and dedication. The Board recognized their service with gratitude and celebration. Both Jenny and Lucy will continue to serve on the Board.Slats Toole (they/them) is a writer, musician, preacher and theater professional currently based in the Twin Cities. Slats’ Lenten poetry series has been compiled in the collection Queering Lent, and their work has also been published in places like Call to Worship, The Presbyterian Outlook and Sacramental Life. Slats has led workshops on expansive language and queer theology (with a particular emphasis on gender identity) throughout the United States and Canada, including at numerous CNP events. Slats makes their home in Minneapolis with their partner Mads."In a time when the powers that be seek to divide and isolate us, it is life-giving to be part of the community of the Covenant Network," Slats said. "Engaging in this work gives me hope that is vital to surviving and thriving as a queer person in the church."Matt Gaventa (he/him) is senior pastor at University Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, a large and vital congregation with a long history of striving for inclusion across its ministries. He previously served as pastor to Amherst Presbyterian Church in Amherst, Virginia, and as chaplain to Sweet Briar College. Matt is an acclaimed writer and preacher whose work has been featured in Working Preacher and in The Christian Century, for whom he co-hosts the podcast Sunday Morning Matinee. Matt also sits on the Advisory Boards of Day1 and of The Church Lab. Matt holds degrees from Georgetown University, the University of Iowa, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He has spoken at Covenant Network of Presbyterians events and served on the board since 2018. He currently lives in Austin with his wife Sarah and their son Charlie.“The church is very different from the one that originally birthed the Covenant Network, but the work is just as vital today as ever," Matt said. "I’m excited and honored to be a part of it.”Executive Director Brian Ellison (he/him), who has served as the staff leader of CNP since 2012, is excited about the leadership that the new co-moderators will offer. He notes that Slats is the first trans or non-binary person to co-lead the Covenant Network board, which demonstrates both their leadership and signifies the organization's progress..He also notes the way Matt's experience and authenticity in congregational ministry both enhances and reflects CNP's record of practical wisdom and bold vision."Even in their first meeting as co-moderators, Slats and Matt modeled a gracious collaboration, a creative energy and a deep love for the church that I think has always characterized this board and the Covenant Network itself," Brian said. "As we undertake a season of continuing high-impact programs and rolling out bold new projects, I'm eager for the work we'll be doing together." Pictured above: The Covenant Network of Presbyterians Board of Directors met in Austin (and by videoconference) in March 2023. Front row (from left): Slats Toole, Lucy Strong, Jenny McDevitt, Karla Ann Koll, Susan Thornton, Carol McDonald, Lucy Forster-Smith, Laura Viau; Second row: Alex Vaiz, Brian Ellison, TJ Remaley, Jay Summerville, Christopher Dahlke, Nicholas Carson, Matt Gaventa. Not pictured: Doug Chial, Robert Galloway, Marci Glass, Alex Hendrickson, Daniel Herron, Chad Herring, Joanna Hipp, Vince Patton, Julia Watkins, Landon Whitsitt.