Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, ninth Bishop of Nevada, will be the chief consecrator. Co-consecrators will be Arizona Bishop Kirk Smith, Atlanta Bishop Neil Alexander and retired Northern California Bishop Jerry Lamb, who has been interim Bishop in the diocese of Nevada.

Visiting bishops will include: Robert Anderson, Assisting in Los Angeles; Marc Handley Andrus of California; Harry B. Bainbridge of Idaho; Barry L. Beisner of Northern California; J. Michael Garrison of Western New York; Carolyn Tanner Irish of Utah; Bavi (Nedi) E. Rivera, Suffragan of Olympia; and James E Waggoner Jr. of Spokane. 

Ecumenical and interfaith participants will represent some 10 faith traditions.  

The homilist will be the Rev. Richard "Red" Sims of St. Bartholomew's, Ely, Nevada.

Edwards, 57, was previously rector of St. Francis' Episcopal Church in Macon, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta). He was elected in Nevada on October 12 on the second ballot out of a field of six nominees.

Upon receiving the news of his election, Edwards said: "My sisters and brothers in Christ, with utmost humility and deep joy, I accept this call to serve as your bishop. Together we can engage in our many different ministries, ever mindful that we are all essential parts of the one Body of Christ, that all of our ministries serve one mission: to reconcile all people to God and each other in Christ. For the love and glory of God, we can build bridges across whatever divides us.

"Nevada is already an exciting, creative, trail-blazing diocese," Edwards continued. Referring to the late Bishop Wes Frensdorff, Nevada's diocesan from 1972 to 1985, Edwards added: "Together, we can keep faith with Bishop's dream of the church, consolidate Bishop Katharine's achievements, and share God's love with more people than ever before. We can build a house where all are welcome. We can support a rising generation of young Episcopalians who have enough courage to shape the future with faith.

"With God's help, the Church in Nevada will become ever more mission-minded and spirit-filled, ministering to those in need and advocating for those who are despised by the world but beloved of God. May the Lord strengthen, inspire, and unite us to do the work God has given us to do." 
 
Edwards grew up in Texas and practiced law in Colorado and Idaho. After serving as regional director of a Migrant Law program, he later became statewide director of a Native American Law program.

Edwards' ministry has been in congregations large and small, urban and rural, liberal and conservative, traditional and contemporary. He was an intern at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City, and with the FisherFolk. After serving as curate in a large downtown church, he became rector of St. Francis', a smaller congregation.

At St Francis', Edwards "promoted servant leadership, Millennium Development Goals, and racial reconciliation…and enjoys warm friendships with the people of his diverse, inclusive congregation," a Nevada diocese news release notes.

An advocate for ministry development, Edwards co-directed a diocesan program to train spiritual directors, taught in St. Luke's Pastoral Institute, and supervises aspirants in field placements. As convocation dean, he mentors other clergy and coordinates regional church activities.

Edwards served on Atlanta's diocesan Committee on Same Sex Blessings and promoted interfaith/ecumenical dialogue in his role as diocesan ecumenical officer. A former college chaplain, he has led retreats for church and college groups.

Edwards and his wife, Linda, have two adult daughters and a son-in-law.

The Diocese of Nevada comprises about 6,000 Episcopalians worshipping in 34 congregations, including one in the neighboring state of Arizona.