The Rev. Richard Boyce is more comfortable than most with faith and politics in the same sentence. Most recently he was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Belmont, N.C., between Charlotte and Gastonia. He's also serving his second term as mayor of the small town. Currently, Boyce is an associate professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership at Union Presbyterian Seminary at Charlotte (a Presbyterian seminary on the campus of Queens University).

Hear about Boyce's journey at the St. James Lecture Series “Faith and Politics: Why a Minister Would Serve as Mayor" at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 inside the Great Hall at St. James Episcopal Church, 25 S. Third St. The lecture is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow.

Enter the Great Hall from Market Street between 3rd and 4th Streets.

Boyce’s teaching and research interests include exploration of the methods and practices by which the scriptures can enliven and guide the work of the local church. He has recently completed the Leviticus-Numbers volume of the Westminster Bible Companion for Westminster John Knox Press (2008), and is a contributor to The Daily Feast (2011) for Westminster John Knox Press.
He is married to Kathleen Golding Boyce of Charlotte. He and Kathleen have four grown daughters: three out of college and one in her first year. He is the brother of Barbara Whitesides of St James parish in Wilmington.

In his lecture, Boyce will answer questions of an increasing polarization in politics and the place of faith in politics.

Details: Contact Gail Jackins at gail@stjamesp.org.