An incumbent president of the House of Deputies faces an election challenge when General Convention meets in Minneapolis July 30-Aug. 8.

Executive Council member Louie Crew of Newark announced recently that he would seek the office that is currently held by the Very Rev. George Werner of Pittsburgh.

“I believe democratic institutions are best served when the electors have a choice,” Mr. Crew wrote in an announcement posted to his Internet website.

Dean Werner is the retired dean of Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Mr. Crew, professor emeritus of English at Rutgers University, has a lengthy and distinguished record of church service primarily on behalf of the full inclusion of ethnic and sexual minorities.

The president is elected to a three-year term by convention and may run for re-election up to two consecutive times. The president presides over the House of Deputies at General Convention, supervises the flow of legislation through that chamber, and appoints legislative committee members.