We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of former President of the House of Deputies, the Very Rev. George L. W. Werner, who died peacefully in his home next to his family at the age of 85 this Monday, February 6, 2023.
Rev. George served six years as the 31st president of the House of Deputies. He was elected at General Convention in 2000 in Denver and re-elected in 2003 in Minneapolis. From 1994 to 2000, he served as vice president under President Dr. Pamela Chinnis. In addition, he served eight terms as a deputy and deputation chair from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
“George and I began corresponding several months ago after I announced my candidacy for president of the House of Deputies. George was always gracious, kind, and affirming in our conversations. After my election, George started sharing more about his experiences, and I will always treasure the advice that he gave me. It is a humbling honor to succeed him in this unique role in our church. I pray for George and his family daily,” said President Ayala Harris.
George Werner was born in New York City, came to the Episcopal Church as a teenager, and by 1962 had received his M.Div from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 and served in several parishes in Connecticut and New Hampshire before becoming Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh in 1979, where he would work for the next twenty years. During this period, he also worked with the Church Pension Fund and the Church Hymnal Corporation and was a trustee of the Church Pension Fund until his final days.
We ask you to keep Rev. Werner’s family in your prayers. As soon as information regarding his burial and funeral services becomes available, we will share it with all our deputies.
Let us pray: O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant George and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. BCP
