Ordained as a Congregational Christian Minister in 1951, Dr. Edward Alton Powers is a coveted minister and educator. As he was completing his M.Div. degree at Yale University, he also began as a Congregational clergyperson in Hamden, Connecticut. He then served as a pastor in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, for three years. From that position, he became a member of the national staff of the Congregational Churches (soon to be the United Church of Christ). He served for a quarter of a century in that position, overseeing development of the United Church Curriculum, the Shalom Curriculum and the church’s actions for children, youth, educational programming and support of peace and justice action ministries.
From 1975 to 1977, Dr. Powers directed church-wide studies and legislative actions of the United Church of Christ, leading to a full UCC welcome, membership, and positions of leadership (including clergy) for gay men and women. In the late 1970s, as a member of The National Council of Churches Christian Education unit, he shared developing guidelines for translators of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, encouraging translators to address issues of patriarchy and male dominance in prior translations: The Bible for today’s readers.
Dr. Powers then was called to a faculty position in the American Management Association’s Executive and Career Development program from 1980 to 1987. In that same period, he began a faculty position in the New School’s Organizational Development Master’s Program. He served in that program for a period of 35 years. He was awarded the New School’s initial Award for Distinguished Faculty Leadership. Dr. Powers’ role as a management consultant during this period involved partnership with Susan Cane and Frank Wayno. As an individual, he consulted widely with organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors in the United States and abroad.
Over the last dozen years, as member of Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village, Dr. Powers has led a team guiding two dozen people through the United Church of Christ processes to become clergy. As part of the church’s work, he helps supporting immigrants who seek acceptance as members of the USA community.
Mary Russell is Dr. Powers’ life partner. His children are Randall, Christopher and Ann Powers. Claire Carson Powers and Ross Powers are his grandchildren.
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