Homewood’s oldest church gets new pastor

Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Homewood recently called the Rev. Joe Genau to be its new pastor. Genau succeeds the Rev. Sid Burgess, who led the church for more than 20 years before retiring in January. Genau was officially installed on Sept. 28 on his 34th birthday. The Homewood Star caught up with Genau to learn more about him and his plans for the future of the church.

Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming a pastor.

When I went to college, I was planning on doing political work in Washington. Being a pastor was the furthest thing from my mind — in fact, I wasn’t even attending church. When I met my wife, faith and church community was an important part of her life. I moved as we planned our wedding. The co-pastors at the church gave me opportunities to explore what kind of leadership God was calling me toward

McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago is where that meek voice found strength. My call was initially to hospital chaplaincy, and I brought those skills to Birmingham, where I was hired as a full-time staff chaplain at Children’s of Alabama in August of 2011. I absolutely loved my work there and was in no way looking for a new job. When the Rev. Sid Burgess at Edgewood Presbyterian Church retired, I felt a stronger sense of call and immediacy than ever before. 

Where is the coolest place you have ever traveled?

Not really one place. My wife and I love to travel. In fact, we met on a study abroad program in college. The program is called Semester at Sea. It’s basically more than 600 college students from all over the country (and some international folks too), faculty and staff on a cruise ship converted into a floating university. We spent four months visiting countries all over the world — Cuba, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Japan. Semester at Sea changed the way I viewed the world in so many ways, and has kept me hungry for new places to visit. 

What do you think makes Edgewood Presbyterian Church unique?

I think Edgewood is a tremendously disarming community. There is no need for pretense, no need for fear of judgment, no need to hide yourself. We are a bunch of folks who have seen some “stuff.” We’ve been through struggles, and we want a place where we can feel safe and loved so that we can be challenged and can grow in faith. I have been a part of many wonderful church communities, but never before have I felt such a sense of family. Also, we’re a bit quirky and goofy, and I love that. 

What special plans or programs do you have for the church?

Right now we’re trying to get ourselves oriented. Transition can be incredibly disorienting, and if we don’t get ourselves reoriented, we can wander in the wilderness for years. So we’re having a series of conversations about where our church has been, what our church identity is and where we want to go. 

I hope that we will find new ways to connect with the greater Birmingham community. As I said, we’ve got all this grace and goofiness to share — and we need to figure out how to share it. I think that the church in 2014 and beyond needs to be outward-looking, seeking ways to be servants to those in need, those who society and the church have mistreated, those who are weary and those who have been told there is no room for them at the table.

What’s your favorite part about living and working in the Homewood community?

When family and friends visit, Amber and I love to show off Homewood. I am the chef in our family, and so I just love the quality and diversity of restaurants, shops, and dessert options in Homewood. I also love that there is a sense of civic pride here — being from Homewood means something to people here. 

What’s something you think people would be surprised to know about you?

I think my heritage is interesting to folks. From my dad I’m Irish, German and Portuguese. That’s not surprising. But my mom’s whole family is Puerto Rican. Most people wouldn’t guess that I’m half Puerto Rican, I think.

Edgewood Presbyterian is located at 850 Oxmoor Road. For more, visit edgewoodpc.org.